Is It Possible to Take FIRST too seriously?

[MrForbes]

Originally Posted by RoboMadi

Obviously there are things MORE important than FIRST, eg school, parents, family etc etc.

but FIRST involves school, parents, family etc etc....at least it does at our house!

[RogerR]

Originally Posted by fabbuki

...What do you guys think about people who seem too "into" FIRST and the competition?...

i do feel that some people take it too far, and forget that FIRST is merely a means to an end (the end result being that we completely change the world for the better). granted, this is based off of my opinion of how far is too far, so this is really a qualitative judgement.

Originally Posted by RoboMadi

...you have to set your own boundries...

words of wisdom, here; though often, it can be difficult finding where those boundaries lie

Originally Posted by Stuart

well from a purely utilitarian view point if FIRST causes a lot of pleasure for every one and pain to no one then yes there can be no such thing as too much FIRST...

this is not always the case; being a member of a FRC team can be extremely involved, especially for team leaders and mentors. from time to time, i'll have students complain to me that there parents/teachers "don't understand how important FIRST is, because they want them to quit the team, and focus on there (rapidly dropping) grades"; to which i counter that maybe the student(s) in question don't realize how important their grades are. you're going to have a difficult time becoming an engineer, if your grades aren't good enough to get you into college.

FIRST can be extremely difficult and time intensive, especially if you're heavily involved in your team; your grades, and lifestyle will take a hit if you're not careful. this is often the case for college mentors; if you look at my grades during the spring semesters compared to the others, they are lower. luckily, there hasn't been any significant effects for me, but that isn't the case for everybody. you have to be prepared if you want to be a college mentor; it ain't for everybody. this thread is a good one for anyone thinking about it...

with that said, i'm going into my seventh consecutive year of FIRST, and i feel that all of them have been worthwhile. i feel that i've contributed to the students and teachers on my team, that i have learned a tremendous amount that i would've otherwise missed out on. if it's at all possible, i feel that all engineering students should mentor a FIRST team, simply to learn how to deal with real world engineering problems. i'm hoping to get my capstone group to work with my robotics team, in an effort to expose more people to FIRST.

[Greg Needel]

Is It Possible to Take FIRST too seriously?

yes.


While I agree with most people there is defiantly an addictive quality to FIRST, and there can be many worse things in life, I also believe that there are quite a few people who take it too seriously. I believe that these people mostly fall into 3 categories.

*People who's priorities are screwed up - When FIRST is the only thing in your life that you care about, or you put it above everything else. While FIRST is a great program there is much more to life then it. People should have a balance of activities they are involved while still keeping site of what is important. Things like family and school are 2 examples of those things which must come above FIRST ALWAYS. Remember that while FIRST may expose you to Engineering you still need a diploma (High School and College) to actually be an engineer or whatever you major in.


*People who have lost the focus - There are people who are way to concerned with specific elements of the program to the extent of unhealthiness. FIRST is a program designed to expose students to different fields in science and technology. While there are many elements of the program, that still remains the overall goal. If your goal is to do nothing but collect trophies, and gain recognition for your involvement I urge you to re-evaluate why you are involved with the program.



*People who use/abuse FIRST - The program is great for opening up opportunities, and connections for people, both on the team level and individually. This is unique to FIRST in which it gives participants the ability to interact with previously un-reachable people and organizations. While that is a great side effect of the program there are people who abuse this situation. Being involved in FIRST for the sole purpose to get better jobs and meet people for the intent of "name dropping" in the future is unacceptable. This does not go to say that if you have the right perspective on the program and good things happen as a result it is bad, but unfortunately there are those with nothing but this in mind.


Just like in any situation there is no black and white answer or scenario which can apply to every person. People need to decide for themselves what their goals and level of involvement is, hopefully thinking carefully about their decisions. One of the best things I can advise, especially for mentors, on this was told to me by Paul Kloberg, "Is what I am doing right now helping the kids in the program or the program itself?" This is something I always as myself before I make a FIRST decision and I think it has served me well so far.

Overall I think that most people in FIRST have the right idea and are doing things for the right purpose of having fun and advancing science and technology fields. Just think from time to time and you will be fine.

[JBotAlan]

Here's my stance:

If you are getting sick over FIRST, you've taken it too far.

If your grades are bombing, you've taken it too far.

If your family has a crisis and you are still in the shop, you've taken it too far.

If your family has a celebration that you are skipping for FIRST, you've taken it too far.

Those are the rules I live by. Just about everything else is fine.

There are times where you'll have to sacrifice from school for FIRST; there are times when you'll have to sacrifice from FIRST for school, and there are times when family is more important than school and FIRST, and there are times where you just need to stay home to sleep out that all-nighter before shipdate. Just don't let it get too far out of balance. Things will get real ugly real fast if you don't keep balanced. Pay attention to your health, family, and grades. Don't get tunnel vision.

JBot

[Tottanka]

I think that there is no too much time beeing spent on first during build season, but if your'e logged on to Chief Delphy during may refreshing the main window hoping for new posts' not by you' during May, i'd say you've taken it too far...
As for myself' im addicted, god know i am, but there are still right proportions.
dont stay home staring at the clue on Christmess =]

[BiTurboS4]

I believe way too many people take it too seriously. Their is general excitement in the air about kick off and such, but the post of the game hint only taking 4 minutes from email blast to new thread is almost disturbing. Then the post count within the first 45min was also quite strange. Maybe someone should start a FIRST Anonymous meeting to try to help the tragicly addicted...

[Libby K]

Originally Posted by JBotAlan

There are times where you'll have to sacrifice from school for FIRST; there are times when you'll have to sacrifice from FIRST for school, and there are times when family is more important than school and FIRST, and there are times where you just need to stay home to sleep out that all-nighter before shipdate. Just don't let it get too far out of balance. Things will get real ugly real fast if you don't keep balanced. Pay attention to your health, family, and grades. Don't get tunnel vision.

JBot

bingo! i say, if FIRST is what makes you happy, then by all means get involved, but not to the point where you're sick, failing, or on the rocks with family.

balance is key to getting the most out of the experience.

just my $0.02 as a fellow FIRST addict.