Managing Grades and Responsibilities While On A FIRST Team

[Nuttyman54]

A lot of it has depended on my involvement in the team. During my first year on a team (as a HS Junior on 971) I was learning how the team worked, and my main task was CAD design. Since I had the software, I did what I could during the time at school, and then finished my work at home after my schoolwork was done.

During my Senior year I was Team President, so much more of my time was devoted to the team. During build season, this resulted in a number of late nights finishing homework. Fortunately, my high school's February break always falls on the week of ship, so we have plenty of time to pull all nighters during the last 5 days if necessary.

This past year, I again took a lesser role, this time on team 190 as a college freshman. I planned my schedule such that the easiest classes were during build season, and made sure to pass off my duties to other team members during the weeks that I had tests.

I have never been one to overload myself with the hardest AP courses offered, and instead balanced my schooling with other activities, such as robotics. There has always been enough time for me to do everything, as long as I manage that time well.