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So I thought I'd see if any of you guys had thoughts on my situation here. Basically I'm an undergrad (junior) right now with a full plate activity wise. I've been taking some tough science classes which take a bunch of time and I'm on my schools varsity fencing team so we practice 12 hours a week, have to go to meetings, weightlifting, and we also take weekend trips where we leave Friday at 5AM, drive to the northeast, and get back Monday morning at like 2AM. Getting back from practice, eating, showering, and then starting homework and studying at 7PM when you want to go to sleep kind of sucks. I also have a part time job at a pharmacy where I've been working something like 6-8 hours a week. My boss would give me more in a heartbeat if I asked but she gets the drift that I'm swamped. I give chess lessons for an hour each sunday which isn't big but usually I'm stressed for next week and just not feeling it. That's everything before any friends, family, personal time, etc. My friends are always wanting me to watch movies, hang out, drink, take weekend trips, etc. and I just can't because I have all this stuff I'm responsible for.
Anyways, I'm at a crossroads now because I've gotten into pharmacy school. I'll be starting next year and I already know the course load is going to be something like 16 credit hours of tough sciences. School is 8-3 four days a week. I've managed to make fencing work until this point minus a few insane weeks where I had to be gone all weekend in environments where I couldn't study with 2 serious tests the next week. If I continued fencing next year it would be 8-3 school and then 3-6 fencing. How would I manage to keep that up and stay sane with job and schoolwork on the side? I enjoy fencing but I don't feel like its manageable anymore next year which is kind of disappointing. The whole 'never going to be 20 and in peak shape, athletes always remember their glory days' blah blah kind of gets to me to because I feel like I might regret quitting if I do, even though it might be the right decision.
I've considered trying to keep up with fencing but have a reduced schedule. It's kind of difficult though because I would be a captain that wouldn't be showing up and I would need to be traveling consecutive weekends for 8+ hours on buses to meets. Any thoughts? Thanks 
Poll: How should I micro my life activities?Drop out of school, quit jobs to become S class progamer (49) 54% Drop it - good experience but time to move on - that free time is a huge plus (19) 21% Compromise somehow - find a reduced schedule (17) 19% Stick with fencing even though it will lower my grades (6) 7% 91 total votes Your vote: How should I micro my life activities? (Vote): Stick with fencing even though it will lower my grades
(Vote): Compromise somehow - find a reduced schedule
(Vote): Drop it - good experience but time to move on - that free time is a huge plus
(Vote): Drop out of school, quit jobs to become S class progamer
 
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You already knew what the results of this poll would be before posting it!
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>.>
Be smart.
Don't drop everything for SC. Worst decision IMO.
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On November 28 2010 10:44 Zergneedsfood wrote:
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Be smart.
Don't drop everything for SC. Worst decision IMO.
did you even read his blog?
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seems like fencing is quite the time suck for you. maybe just cut down instead of quitting 
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Well, do you have the option of delaying school/uni for 1 or 2 years? If you think you should be fencing, then could you take it up full time?
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On November 28 2010 10:49 Dance. wrote:Show nested quote +On November 28 2010 10:44 Zergneedsfood wrote:
>.>
Be smart.
Don't drop everything for fencing. Worst decision IMO. did you even read his blog?
Fixed, and now he did, hahaha.
But honestly, schoolwork is much more important. Unless you are planning on going pro with fencing, then you really have to set your priorities. If you can find some reduced time schedule so you can manage your homework without going insane or not sleeping, then that would be great. However, just sit back and think about what your priorities are.
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School should never be less of a priority than gaming. At least not to take it as far as failing courses or dropping out. Why you might ask because that's retarded. Being educated is very important and even finishing highschool will be a bigger accomplishment on your resume than saying that you were a pro gamer unless you're at a godlike level where you'd not really need to get a new job... but yeah be realistic.
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love how many people voted for become a progamer. i love this community
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Why would you keep your job on the side and work those hours?
I understand that if you want to keep working but you want to do other things on the side and the money you're making isnt going to be as good as when you get out.... unless you need the money for the fencing lessons or whatever that is?
Depending on the pharm school you go to they video tape all the lectures so some people just dont go to them. That may be an option for you.
Remember, you can always study while taking the trips on buses
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Wow, I am in nursing school and don't even have time to have a part time job. I imagine pharmacy school to be a lot more difficult. Seeing how much you enjoy fencing and that it would be hard to give up; however, which is more important to you, going through pharmacy school and graduate or risk failing because of diversion (fencing). You could try to juggle both during the first semester and see how it works out before decide though.
I personally would put off fencing until I graduate, that that's just me.
Good luck!
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Oh man pharmacy school is like the hardest thing ever. Good choice, though.
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On November 28 2010 10:49 Dance. wrote:Show nested quote +On November 28 2010 10:44 Zergneedsfood wrote:
>.>
Be smart.
Don't drop everything for SC. Worst decision IMO. did you even read his blog?
When you see a big poll like that, you just gotta follow what the poll says dude.
But yes. I did read it.  I just don't feel like I have a good enough opinion to offer up legitimate advice.
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fencing is nice, but what's it going to get you, in the end?
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I don't know exactly where you're from but pharmacy is a pretty in-demand job nationwide despite the current job market. I'm going into my 6th year in pharmacy school and many employers could care less if you have an "average" GPA in pharmacy school as long as you can pass the NAPLEX and prove you aren't incompetent. It would definitely be possible for you to keep fencing if you're OK with not being at the top of your class.
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Its like what Mark Twain said :
"Don't let schooling interfere with your education"
GO PRO!
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Why do you take opinions from people who are not producing any positive results?
Go to an expert.
Here, for example.
http://mtavalah712.weebly.com/uploads/3/4/0/5/340566/decision-_by_bob_procter.pdf
Also, you can consider quitting your job if you don't need the money. However if you are going to do this, see a competent financial planner first so you can at least put some money to work for you. Since there are two ways to make money (Work for money or use money for money, most people choose to work for money then they get stressed and hypocritically complain).
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Most importantly, be kind to yourself. If you do not first prioritize your own mental well-being, you will pay the price later. While your love for fencing may continue for now, juggling that with school, along all the other things you do, is flat insane. Take a reduced schedule, perhaps withdraw from captainship, focus on school, and love life.
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Here are the things that I believe you should drop ordered with from the least important thing to the most important:
1. Chess - I know you probably make a lot of money per hour teaching class but it is seriously not worth it if you don't need that money critically. People might say that 1 hour on a weekend is not too bad but any activity in the middle of the day can seriously disrupt your studying rhythm.
2. Fencing - Look, I love sports, I'm an athlete too, but I've decided not play a varsity sport and join a club sport instead. I really enjoy physical activity but if I found that my academics is slipping, I would drop it in a second. It's really not worth it. I can get just as much enjoyment lifting and running on my own.
3. Internship/part time job - This is important to your future since it is good on your resume so I will keep this if I can.
4. Classes - Yeah please don't drop out of school, but you already know this.
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School's not that great it has yet to help me with anything.
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16 credit hours isn't much tbh. Once you get to the last year (before rotations) you'll be doing like 19/20 credits. ALL pharmacy related! I'm in my 2nd year right now.
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DO NOT let fencing get in the way of school, and DO NOT let school get in the way of becoming a programer!
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Sometimes it's okay to quit the things you love, and get a little bit of time to yourself to do the things you love more (aka sleep! and be happy!). You might find yourself happier if you take time off fencing.
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S class progamer all the way.
Do you need anything else?
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Whatever one does, it is important to have free time. It is important to have meaningful and enjoyable hobbies or activities. It is important to have meaningful relationships with other people. I would be really skeptical of any plan or schedule that seriously compromises quality idle time, fun time, and social relationships. Don't be too career oriented. Don't be too ambitious.
That's my feeling anyway.
InkMeister / Nick
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If you are asking others, you are not going to do it.
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Thanks for all the feedback and replies guys. It's nice to see what people think that are unbiased and deciding based on the situation alone. You've definitely been helpful and I'm going to think things over to make a good decision. After that its no regrets and living with it.
On November 28 2010 21:39 HwangjaeTerran wrote:
If you are asking others, you are not going to do it. Pffft, what does this mean? I don't have a strong will because I am curious as to what other people's opinions are? I'm undecided now and have a long time to make my choice so I wouldn't consider it made up one way or another. Unless you are one of those people that believe in fate and then my whole life is already decided and it doesn't matter what I do. Pfff.
On November 28 2010 18:46 nA.Inky wrote:
Whatever one does, it is important to have free time. It is important to have meaningful and enjoyable hobbies or activities. It is important to have meaningful relationships with other people. I would be really skeptical of any plan or schedule that seriously compromises quality idle time, fun time, and social relationships. Don't be too career oriented. Don't be too ambitious.
That's my feeling anyway.
InkMeister / Nick I think this is good advice. You hear from so many people to push yourself, achieve all that you can, work hard day in day out, and so on so forth. But at the end of the day what do your achievements matter if you aren't happy and satisfied with what you've accomplished and how you spend your time? I think at the core I know that I enjoy fencing as a hobby, pursuit, and dedication but I wonder if it asks too much time wise.
On November 28 2010 15:06 Oxygen wrote:
Most importantly, be kind to yourself. If you do not first prioritize your own mental well-being, you will pay the price later. While your love for fencing may continue for now, juggling that with school, along all the other things you do, is flat insane. Take a reduced schedule, perhaps withdraw from captainship, focus on school, and love life. Thanks, Dr. Phil. I think this resonates pretty well with what InkMeister said. Too many demands is likely to crush me. Sigh! I definitely always kind of wish I had more free time and less on my plate. To do silly things like play videogames, but if thats where my happiness comes from then it is time well spent I suppose.
On November 28 2010 14:43 tryummm wrote:Why do you take opinions from people who are not producing any positive results? Go to an expert. Here, for example. http://mtavalah712.weebly.com/uploads/3/4/0/5/340566/decision-_by_bob_procter.pdfAlso, you can consider quitting your job if you don't need the money. However if you are going to do this, see a competent financial planner first so you can at least put some money to work for you. Since there are two ways to make money (Work for money or use money for money, most people choose to work for money then they get stressed and hypocritically complain). I skimmed your link and honestly I think quite poorly of these kind of 'self help' and 'empowering' guides. I'm not some meek, undecided, weak-willed worry-wart who can't make a decision for fear of the everylasting consequences. I'm just conflicted because I don't want to give up something I enjoy and won't be able to do again without some thought. I definitely don't need the money from the job but I took it to improve my chances of getting into school. Now that I'm in I guess I don't need it so much. But it has been a valuable experience to gain perspective into one field of pharmacy.
On November 28 2010 13:56 LaSt)ChAnCe wrote:
fencing is nice, but what's it going to get you, in the end? To put it bluntly, absolutely nothing besides what I get out of it personally. It's been a great experience so far going from a walk-on with very little experience, understanding, and skill to an intermediate skill where I am beginning to understand finer points and feel like I could break out any second. It's a discipline I apply myself to and try to become better at. Like a shaolin monk or something.
On November 28 2010 11:39 eshlow wrote:
Why would you keep your job on the side and work those hours?
I understand that if you want to keep working but you want to do other things on the side and the money you're making isnt going to be as good as when you get out.... unless you need the money for the fencing lessons or whatever that is?
Depending on the pharm school you go to they video tape all the lectures so some people just dont go to them. That may be an option for you.
Remember, you can always study while taking the trips on buses I don't need the money from the job at all. To be completely honest I got it to increase my chances of getting into school. Now that I'm in that first priority has been accomplished. I happen to have met a lot of people, learned about the industry, and gained insight into the community pharmacy field as a result though so its not wasted I would say. I know in theory that I should be able to study on buses but it just never worked out for me my first two years. I guess I wasn't as dedicated and serious then so I might be able to make it work now.
On November 28 2010 11:05 Nazza wrote:
Well, do you have the option of delaying school/uni for 1 or 2 years? If you think you should be fencing, then could you take it up full time? I don't think I have the option to delay really, and if I did it would be a poor decision I think. I would be prioritizing something less important over my professional degree with which I will support myself on for the next 40+ years.
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EPT
