Is It Possible to Take FIRST too seriously?

[Ryan Dognaux]

Yes, it is entirely possible to take FIRST and any other organization too seriously. FIRST is hard fun, it's addicting, you get that rush when something you design or build works for the first time. It's entirely possible to become too involved in FIRST though.

I almost did it last semester - I was heading up a Lego League tournament at Purdue and I was attempting to mentor team 1646 twice a week on top of 19 credit hours. I was stretched too thin and I knew it. You have to make accommodations in your schedule and life for FIRST, it's a big commitment. Next semester, since I've had three particularly heavy semesters, I'm going to take a lighter one - only 12 credit hours. This will give me enough time to mentor 1646 full time during build season, travel with them and Purdue FIRST, and do a project that I've wanted to do now for a long time with FIRST but have never had the time to do it. Keep your eyes peeled for something cool

Just don't bite off more than you can chew and your experience will be much more enjoyable and rewarding.

[JaneYoung]

I think we can become too serious in some ways and we can devote way too many hours to this wonder called FIRST. The lead teacher on 418 sets a schedule that we adhere to and he strives to help the team (all of us) remember that school comes first. The mentors and parents support his efforts, trying to keep the team (all of us) focused, fed, sane. Of course free time is another matter and that is where each person has to step in and take responsibility. That is part of the learning process, time management.

One reason that I care about FIRST is our outreach. As is the case with many of our FIRST teams, 418 does outreach with students and young people who don't readily have access to engineering concepts and to teenagers that enjoy and want to share their passion for math, science, technology. That is the source of my own passion and it is also where I have to find the balance. I work at it.

[Beth Sweet]

You know, I have 2 big addictions in my life right now: ice cream, and FIRST. While the prior may not be great for my health, I think I'm doing just fine with FIRST.

I go from one thing to another, throwing myself completely into whatever I do. I get very into things and give a lot of my time to them. That's what I do, that's who I am. People can tell me that what I do is right or wrong, or even make fun of me for doing it (::cough:: rest of the mentors on my team ::cough:: ) but that's how I am. I know myself. I know what I can handle. I know how far is too far and how much is not enough (for the most part).

I say that if you find something you love, go for it. I still hang out with friends and family, and only missed the Dean's List this semester by .1 (darn law class...). Don't forget to breathe, look around you and smell the roses from time to time, but if you love something, do it. Enjoy doing what you do. If you enjoy your life, what you're doing in it, and how you're living it, then what other people say or think doesn't matter.

Those are my thoughts on the subject, and right or wrong, that is how they will likely remain. Those who know me know that it is rather difficult to change my mind when I've made it up. Now, I must go and see if I can find any of addiction #1 in the freezer...

[Mike]

Yes.

[Wayne C.]

take FIRST too seriously?-

I should say "yes" but then I ask myself "what else would I be doing?"

[legotech25]

I think it depends on what you hope to get out of FIRST. For me, my entire family is involved with robotics and all of my friends are on a team somewhere around the city. This makes it easy for me to ballance everything. My average day usually consists of school, robotics, eating, and sleeping. Although it doesn't leave time for much free time, I don't care, because I'd be building robots in my freetime anyway. I also plan on attending MIT and becomming some sort of engineer (ME or CS... not sure which yet), so FIRST helps me contact people who can help me.

I can effortlessly say that FIRST is my life.

If your situation is similar to mine, then I think it's impossible to be too serious. If FIRST is just another activity for you, then it might be a little extreme...

...but it can never be to extreme if you're having fun!!!

[Andy Grady]

Ya know....there is a famous quote I live by...unfortunately I cant remember who said it....

"Life is far too important to take seriously."

I think that we as folks get passionate about what we do and often we forget to just sit back and enjoy what we have.

I think the same goes for FIRST. If you take it too seriously, you may miss out on the things that really made you love FIRST. Not to mention...all that time you spend trying to solve the puzzle of "does the letter R in Dave Lavery's name stand for Rawlings, which makes footballs, and a banana is shaped like a football, so therefore the game piece must be football tee's" could be taking away from time you could be using to to very important things in life....like pass school, or get a job.

Trust me kids...FIRST is great. But going through life without having to wonder if that next check will be enough to pay the electric bill....thats way more important.

[Jimmy Cao]

Take FIRST too seriously? I guess so

If you...
hurt yourself intentionally because of FIRST somehow
Neglect your family because of FIRST
hurt others
and stuff like that

otherwise, it's just having fun!

[Pavan Dave]

Quick awnser is yes.

Everything is good in moderation but when it gets too much, you will suffer in the end.

Pavan.

[hallk]

Hello. My name is Katie and I'm addicted to FIRST. This is my first time here.....

[1086VEX]

who doesnt take FIRST to serioulsy at some point or another?!?

i know i do...very seriously...

~Alex~

[crafty]

My answer is yes. I try to keep my priorities in order, but I do find myself taking FIRST way too seriously sometimes. FIRST is not everything to me, but it is a lot.

[Protronie]

We are FIRST... you will be assimilated!

Just remember to have fun and enjoy it... if your robot crash and burns in the first round, its NOT the end of the world.

[Jak DiGriz]

Chea you're taking it too seriously. I mean c'mon, they're rules. The only changes are changes to Goggle policy (whoa we can use ANSI side shields now, I'm so excited... not).

A lot of people focus too much on the rules and the game and the competition and all that stuff in FIRST. The game is nice and all, but it's all about the engineering. I mean c'mon, on the thread about the new rules, five guys spent 30 posts talking about being able to bring music into the pits. Music!

So fabb, I wouldn't go nuts on the rules, and I'd keep my addiction to FIRST down. Remember, moderation in all things.

-Jak

[Briansmithtown]

Never. FIRST is love, FIRST is life.