Mountain Project Logo

Going Back to school... tips for success?

june m · · elmore, vt · Joined Jun 2011 · Points: 116

Schedule your classes so they are all on two or 3  days, as mentioned before take the minimum course load. Don't take more than 2 difficult courses per semester. And obviously go to school somewhere near climbing,  hopefully your school has a climbing gym

oldfattradguuy kk · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2006 · Points: 172

Find a school near a resort with old school slow chairlifts, more time to study while skiing 

jt newgard · · San Diego, CA · Joined Jul 2016 · Points: 446

Maybe the first time round you went to school, just because it's what you're "supposed to do" after high school? You left feeling a bit aimless? And now you've made a conscious decision to go back with some specific goals in mind? If that's the case then you're set for success!

I worked as an engineering consultant for ~5 years after my B.S. and the lifestyle was difficult to say the least. My manager was a disagreeable fellow and new staff only got 10 vacation days per year == almost no time to climb.

I opted to pursue a Ph.D. program and it's sparked my creative side again, feels good. To do a Ph.D. in a technical area is to work on a product/application that shows potential but is not presently economically competitive without some advancement and that's where you come in. I think folks might be surprised it's very common to have your tuition fully covered and receive a stipend that covers basic living expenses. Choose a reasonable advisor and life is even better. Reading everyone's posts, the overarching theme is that you need to work hard at school but unlike in certain corporate-type environments, YOU have control over your time and that is truly something to be cherished.

So what to do after graduation ?? While I recommend delaying making $$$ as long as possible, inevitably you will have to....... at this point, leverage your top-notch skills acquired in school to negotiate more vacation days, find a good manager, or ...... just work in government !! hah .......

P.S. Good luck, "Irreverent Bastard" !

Strings Attached · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2021 · Points: 0

Know When To Drop Out

Approximately 1 in 8 billionaires on the 2018 ranking of the Forbes 400 wealthiest people in America was a college dropout.

Jay-Z — did not graduate from High School.

Bill Gates — left Harvard after two years to found Microsoft.

Paul Allen — Co-Founder of Microsoft dropped out of Washington State University

Jack Dorsey — Twitter Founder dropped out of Missouri University of Science and Technology & New York University

Evan Williams — co-founder of Twitter & Medium attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln for three semesters before dropping out

Larry Ellison — founder of Oracle dropped out of college twice.

John Mackey — founder of what is now Whole Foods dropped out of the University of Texas.

Mark Zuckerberg — Facebook founder left Harvard at 19, it took him just five minutes to make the decision to quit college.

Michael Dell — Dell Computer founder dropped out of University of Texas at Austin his freshman year at the age of 19.

Ralph Lauren — dropped out of Baruch College at The City College of New York.

Jan Koum — WhatsApp cofounder and former CEO Jan Koum dropped out of San Jose State University.

Sheldon Adelson — Casino owner, etc dropped out of the City College of New York.

Ted Turner — CNN founder left Brown University just before graduating

Ty Warner — the creator of Beanie Babies dropped out of Kalamazoo College in 1962

David Geffen — business magnate, producer and film studio executive dropped out of the University of Texas at Austin

Travis Kalanick — founder of Uber dropped out of UCLA

Donald Newhouse — publisher dropped out of Syracuse University

Micky Arison — Carnival Corp. chairman dropped out of the University of Miami

Lady Gaga — dropped out of New York University's Tisch School of the Arts.

Ellen DeGeneres — left the University of New Orleans after just one semester

Oprah — dropped out of Tennessee State (only had one credit left to complete).

Steven Spielberg — dropped out of college at 22 to accept a contract with Universal.

Evan Spiegel — Snapchat Founder dropped out of Stanford University

Mark Twain — left school after the fifth grade to become a printer's apprentice

Benjamin Franklin — left when he was 10-years-old. He continued his education through voracious reading.

Investor Peter Thiel — graduate of Stanford University and Stanford Law School launched an on-going program in 2011 that awards $100,000 to young entrepreneurs who want to drop out of school.



Strings Attached · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2021 · Points: 0
J W wrote: 

A useful data point would be to cite how for tens of millions of Americans, a college degree is correlated to a roughly 50% reduction in the risk of earning below the poverty line. 

1 of 8 billionaires dropped out of college. 7 of 8 billionaires have a degree.

Of course. 

But, facetious? No, unless you're one of those "7 out of 8" students in which case yes. 99.9% of those on MP?

In that case, know when to stay in college or trade school or the military, whatever.

Just pointing out that many fail to see opportunity.  Don't be that person. These people knew what you may fail to see. Folks like you would have told them to stay in school.

Billionaires: many inherited their wealth.

College Students: many are still paying off college debt in their 50s. Many are in crappy jobs. Don't be that person.

 

Irreverent Bastard · · Rexburg · Joined Jul 2017 · Points: 269

Thanks for all the responses! I wanted the thread to fizzle a bit before I answered all the questions. I’ll do my best to address a couple of the most commonly questions asked.

Starting with my end goal, I’d like to have three things. One being security in my job. Two, I want to make enough money to support my own and my future families ambitions (nuclear family… bleh I know but it’s what I want). Three, time for myself and family i.e. travel, hobbies, time at home/working on a home.

what I’m going to school for:
I’m currently going to school for Exercise Physiology with the goal of going to PA school. 

 My climbing: 

I enjoy almost all forms of climbing; sport, alpine, even just  bagging peaks, technical or not. Skiing and some snowy suffering in the mountains during the winter as well. I have no intention to go pro… I would like to however stay where I’m at performance wise or continue to get stronger for my personal goals outside. I work as a setter at the local plastic pulling palace so that will help.

Local spots:

I have a couple solid local areas within 1.5 hours, I’m dead center between the Tetons and The Fins! 

Monies:
Thankfully school is very cheap and I will be able to make it out entirely debt provided I keep a part time job.

Im determined to get through this and prepared to make sacrifices where necessary. The mountains aren’t going anywhere and there will always be more powder days… (at least in my life time ;) )  

Thanks again for the responses

F r i t z · · (Currently on hiatus, new b… · Joined Mar 2012 · Points: 1,155
Irreverent Bastard wrote:

[many worthwhile things demonstrating wisdom beyond his years]

Good on ya, mate!

David Murphy · · Duluth, MN · Joined Mar 2017 · Points: 6

Sounds like you’ve got a good idea of what your are passionate about. As someone whos learning style doesn’t fit well in the rigid American education system. A much different experience then those up thread arguing about which job makes them more miserable but more money.  A few things that I’ve found to help me get through my, on and off 7 years of undergrad.
- build a strong community of like minded / passionate friends who support you in various ways.

- utilize the resources the university has. You pay for them after all 

- most universities offer free mental health therapists. Find a therapist you like and work with them. Being proactive will help minimize any large impacts / work through issues you didn’t know you had. You’ll never have free therapy again!

- find a structure / work load that works for you. I like making my calendar at the beginning of each week, working at night, etc. 

I believe in your ability to complete this hurdle and those beyond! 

KalA Bertolino · · Unknown Hometown · Joined May 2021 · Points: 0
Max R wrote:

My perspective as university faculty - pick a major with good job prospects. Read the textbook. Go to office hours, even if you don’t think that you need to. Study with people who are smarter than you. The peer group and access to faculty are most of what you are paying for.

Absolutely, I work with a program called TRIO that helps non-traditional students (as well as other minority groups) return to learn and succeed. Know that you will find a huge support group (faculty, tutors, other students, focus groups, TRIO, etc…) who want you to succeed if you are willing to be a little vulnerable. Professors are a lot of times the coolest people you can meet and have valuable things to share. Prioritize your mental health ( and I don’t just mean skip class every Friday to ski or climb), but really work on your relationship with yourself and your balance on the world and you will find time to feed your soul.

Best of luck!!

P.S. Khan Academy is the best!!

Dan Cooksey · · Pink Ford Thunderbird · Joined Jan 2014 · Points: 365

Wear a condom and have an attorney draw you up a contract which needs signed before any consensual sex. 

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

General Climbing
Post a Reply to "Going Back to school... tips for success?"

Log In to Reply
Welcome

Join the Community! It's FREE

Already have an account? Login to close this notice.