School is a Beast!

[jack01]

I know how you feel man! Don't make this question any harder than it has to be. Stressing yourself won't really help any. It will just make the question harder to answer. When I decided to pursue a career as a pilot, I had to ask and answer a few basic questions: Can this career support me financially? Are there any reasons why I shouldn't/can't be a pilot? Will I be happy?

That last question is the real one to answer. You've also got to ask yourself if you love flying enough to do it every day. Any job can get 'old' after a while, but would you rather be tired of a desk job, or would you rather be tired of seeing the sunset at FL 340? Then after you've taken a rest/vacation, will you look forward to getting back in a plane?

I know the director of instruction at FedEx. A few years ago, he and I had this EXACT same conversation. So, I'm just passing his words along to you. He also told me a little story, which he said was true: " I once knew this guy who had been flying for a certain airline. Hard times and high fuel prices hit the airlines, and he had lost his job. Some months later, I ran into him again. He hadn't been able to find another job as a pilot, so he wound up as a ramp worker emptying the holding tanks on aircraft. This was a little confusing to me, since he had a college education and could certainly get a job doing something else. I asked him why he didn't go find another job that was a little cleaner and betting paying. His response, "What? And get out of the aviation business?" "

So, my friend's message was simple: At the end of the day you have to do what you are passionate about.

[paffy]

Also think about this - as a commercial pilot, you spend most of your time training and preparing for things that will most likely never happen to you. So there you sit in your cockpit, knowing all this stuff about what to do when you get a sudden rudder reversal, engine flame out, total failure of pretty much anything, how to land blindfolded in a blizzard etc. and never use any of it (plus you pray every day you'll never need to).

As an aeronautic engineer, you'll be using your mind to its limit every day. With the military slowly acknowledging the usefulness of UAVs, there will be most likely more and more development in that area, so it's not like you'll be stuck designing lighter passenger chairs for 34th revision of 747. Then again, if you get tired of it, you might as well start designing bridges or something...

In meantime, you should have enough money to get yourself a plane and fly for fun, or play golf if you get tired of planes.

I see you're giving this a lot of thought, and analyzing your options - that's an excellent sign !

I'm sure whatever you decide, will be the right choice for you.

P.

[ilovemetro]

i feel ya
basketball every saturday morning and sunday evening, i have friends to see. i like to snowboard and i also play paintball , which is a pocket killer

[Yak 54]

In my opinion I think We've had enough of two things snow and school. I like the snow because I ski alot but I just really want to fly on grass.

[volcomsnows2k]

Hey there buddy! Listen to what I have to say. You are a sophmore in HS. Dude, ENJOY it while it lasts! Do your best to get the good grades and be involved in your schools activities. High School comes once in a lifetime and goes by in 4 years. I am 21 now and High School was not that long ago for me. When I was in High School, I couldnt wait to get done with it and go off to college. I was Quarterback of my Varsity Football Team, Short stop Varsity Baseball, Varsity H20 Polo, Ap Club, French Club, Physics Club, Cali Honor Society, and the list just goes on and on. I was on Homecoming court and nominated for Prom King. Dude, the 4 years goes FASTTTTTTT! I was the "popular" guy in HS and now in college, I'm a nobody among my peers. Not that it matters but my point is this, enjoy your time in HS. Do what is important like grades, and extra activities that will look good on a college application. Have fun and be safe! Flying will come in time. No need to rush! I am in college now and I juggle grades, being a sponsored competetive snowboarder/surfer/skater, volunteer work at a ocean rescue, fishing competitively, friends, family, managing a surf shop, wow the list goes on and on. I still make time to fly. Its my passion and what I love. Do what makes you happy. First and foremost, do good in HS. You wont regret it!

[SargeNZ]

	Quote: Originally Posted by volcomsnows2k
	I was the "popular" guy in HS and now in college, I'm a nobody among my peers.

Cool! does that mean that if I was a nobody in HS.. that I might be 'someone' in college?

[Dantley]

It is better to be the nobody and focus on your grades. I was in the limelight in HS, but stayed low key in college.

[flyingklown]

Like I tell my daughter..Get that piece of paper. Do it now while you are young! You will be so glad later in life you got that behind you. They do not pay people without a degree! FINISH SCHOOL NOW. You have a lifetime to fly and have fun! Get your life set first! Then have fun and games! I promise when you get to be in the late 20's you are going to be glad you did it early! Got it over with and by then you should be on your way to be set!

[RudderAuthority]

Well I have little choice, the land owner of the Trenton radio control club sold the land without telling us about a month ago and, what do ya know some guy calls us a week ago telling us to move our stuff off his land. So now without any notice we had to have a field work day to move the structures off the field and now the club is in search of a new field and I'm grounded. A real shame, i spent the better part of my childhood at that field, I started flying there since I was maybe 10. Anyway all focus goes to school now with the exception of the Joe Nall for 2 days then it's back to the books and with no place to fly to call "home field".


*grounded as can't fly anymore, not like suspension from fun

[Dangerous Dan]

I feel ya. I am 33yo, taking graduate Physics classes(Honors) Have three young kids, drive 200 miles a day, work 9 hours a day study 30-40 hours a week and fly on the weekends. I have been doing this for the past 7 years. I get my BS Physics in two weeks and have already completed 1/3 of my graduate requirements, Graduate school starts in the fall, but I am taking a break and only attending 1 class a semester for a year.

If you are ambicious as it appears you are then you need to learn to juggle.

Family
School
Hobbies
Job

You must prioritize each day and do what makes the most logical since, Sometimes a ball will drop, because you are concentrating so hard on the other balls, but you can always pick it up at a later time. Best of luck.

My two peaces of wisdom:

1. Take advantage of wasted time!
2. Find excuses to do something instead of excuses not to

[Dangerous Dan]

	Quote: Originally Posted by RudderAuthority
	I am in my sophomore year of highschool, I take honors courses, I try really hard to get my B+ average. My parents just kind of dropped the bomb that the college I want to go to (Embry Riddle flight school) is going to cost a lot of money so scholarships are a must.

Military

Gi Bill will pay for school! My family could not afford college and in highschool I got lower grades than i should of(other things on my mind). I joined the Navy, they sent me to school for 2 years(electronics technition) then I spent 4 years on a ship. After I got Out I landed a Job as an Equipment Engineer at Texas Instruments. Now the GI-Bill is paying for my college.

[flyingklown]

Dude,
Go to school! Finish! Go to College and get a degree! There will always be time to fly! Get all this and you will be able to afford your planes in the future! I know I sound like a Dad ..Well I am one. My daughter quit AFTER her 2nd year in College. Now she sees what it is all about and she is finishing! She got a job and they are sending her to finish! YES! $$$...

So my suggestion to you is finish school dude..Even if it is a drag and you cannot go flying right now. Hey you will have a Lot fop time to fly in the future and you will be glad you finished everything....Do it now and get it behind you dude! It won't last forever..Trust me!