Ok, so School started last week for me, so in homework, gettign to know my teachers and talking to my girlfiend, I feel like I have no time to spend on the boards , but I guess its a good thing that I can keep myself away.

But there are a loooot of knew people that I have just now been noticing, who all seem to have a lot to add to this group. And I feel like I am missing out on what they have to offer. But I think as time goes on, I will be able to get on more and more.

So if I havn't said it yet

Welcome!

-CS

Climber - school is vital in this day and age. The nice thing about a forum like this is that you can go back and catch up. I too am getting ready to start school (yes I am old). I also wanted to mention (not that I am the smartest guy here by any means) but education is something you can keep for ever, and no person can take that away from you. Become a life long learner.

Good luck in your studies.

ah school... i'm starting next week, in part time. I already have a bachelor degree, but if i want to get more promotion options in the future, i'll need a master degree. Not that i want to get promotion now, i like the level i'm working right now. But studing for a master with a wife, kids and a morgage doesn't really sound that atractive to me. Oh well maybe i will even try being a full time student again next year.

At my place of employment, we are required to maintain a personal development plan. It is supposed to enhance the chances of career advancement. I, too, am quite happy with my position and it's what I want to do until I retire (or die, whichever occurs first). So, when they come asking for the annual update to my plan, I just say that I want to become better at my current job and list a couple of minor training classes that will facilitate that goal. Climbing the career ladder isn't always what it's cracked up to be.

Climber,

epirider's correct.

You can always come back in and catch up on posts. That's one of the many things I love about this site. It's like an ever-expanding library.

School is priority number one because your education is the most important tool in your survival kit.

In my pursuit of preparedness knowledge, I'm finding myself going back and attempting to relearn much of what I've forgotten over the years (chemistry, geometry, etc). Especially when researching what I've got to do to get my home off the grid as much as possible.

As far as your girlfriend goes, maybe she would like to join in the conversations. I'm sure she has some insights that many of us haven't thought of (never having been an adolescent girl myself).

Do not know what school level you are returning to, but may I suggest a strategy to help combine your interests with some of the necessary school work, e.g. papers etc.

Find a way to use whatever subject you are studying to enhance your knowledge of survival. For example:

If you have to do a history research paper, select a topic related to survival, for example, How Shackelton and his men survived: what they did right, wrong etc.

Use math to calculate calories required vs weather vs activity to determine how much must be consumed for how long.

Use English studies to read and report on stories of survival, both real and fictional, and what realistically would work and what would not.

It may make you feel that your studies are less academic and more real world.

Good luck in school.

CS, I took time off from here for my first bout of college. Three years (the math kicked my hoop, I was going back as an adult learner), during which time this place suffered at LEAST one server failure, and loss of all the boards. People came, people went.

And you know what? It was good for me. So you will stay in school, and you will get good grades, and you will spend time with girls. Or everyone here at ETS will give you The Look Of Doom (tm)- don't think your mother has a monopoly on that. I'll even drag in EDCF and the ZS crews. *laughs*

We'll be here, your stump is not getting tossed. *finishes bolting one of those wrap around desk things to the side* It will be here when you can you be. And in the meantime, try to get your young lady friend into preparedness. Great mutual time.

Take a look at how many courses are required and what time limits apply. You may be able to break it down to a course a semester with a semester or two of cushion. For me, it worked out to ten courses in 12 semesters.

I used to look forward to the end of schooling because I thought I could "coast" from thereon out. Not so! Continuing education is not only mandatory in many professions, it actually may help you stay on the leading edge. Although I've known "coasters", they are rarely professionals who develop deep respect in their professional community.

Suck it up, bite the bullet, and STUDY! I sure wish I had worked harder when I was your age. I do pretty well when watching "Are you smarter than a 5th grader?", but I struggle sometimes. School may seem like a real drag right now, but that book learnin' will pay off in the future...