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Should i take a year off and go skiing?

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Daver_BC
Posts: 1256 - Karma: 307
i just graduated highschool and don't know whether i should work at a mt. and ski for a year, then come back and start my 4 years or just start college and ski when i can. this are difficult times yo.
 
Jul 16 2009 12:56PM
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ja.
Posts: 1705 - Karma: 144
after finishing a year of college, i look back and wish i would've done that. im actually still thinking about it
Jul 16 2009 12:58PM
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prontocuts.com
Posts: 5244 - Karma: 42
Do it, I did it at keystone and loved it. Problem is all I think about is colorado now
Jul 16 2009 1:01PM
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grown-ninja
Posts: 3031 - Karma: 175
go to a comunity college take 2 classses where u wana stay, this way you get best of both worlds
Jul 16 2009 1:03PM
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3R1C
Posts: 367 - Karma: 14
go to a college near a mountain like colorado college, or on the east coast UNH
Jul 16 2009 1:03PM
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Pippin
Posts: 4846 - Karma: 661
I say get your 4 years a college done- and then as a award to yourself take a year off for the 16 straight years of school you have done- and hey if you even want to go into the industry a degree will definitely help you out.
Jul 16 2009 1:04PM
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p-oskier
Posts: 1407 - Karma: 58
I've always wanted to do that but I do not want to do it alone and none of my friends want to do it with me cause they want to finish school. If you really want to do it, do it !
Jul 16 2009 1:30PM
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TheUngroomed
Posts: 1251 - Karma: 335
community college= ski bum
Jul 16 2009 1:38PM
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EastCoast315
Posts: 3136 - Karma: 137
Im going to take a year off and ski, soon. And I have no intentions of going back, ski bum till I die. Ill be like that guy, "YEAHHHH BOYYYY!!! GONNA GO DUFFY ON YA!"
Jul 16 2009 1:44PM
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dan09uk
Posts: 215 - Karma: 108
im finishing uni next may then taking a year out being a professional ski bum. cant wait
Jul 16 2009 1:48PM
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Pippin
Posts: 4846 - Karma: 661
Meh, i feel if i took a year off i would loose all my academic motivation and probably never want to come back to the east coast- but you've proved other wise haha.
Jul 16 2009 1:48PM
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Keyjibbs
Posts: 1542 - Karma: 96
Thats how I felt too. I just graduated also and I decided to go to community college so I won't loss my motivation for school but also have time to ski. Granted in 2 years when I transfer to a university I wont be able to ski as much. but I'd say just get school over with if you have the money. I wanted to take a year off but everybody told me how hard it would be to go back to school after being off for so long.
Jul 16 2009 1:53PM
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3mania
Posts: 2613 - Karma: 10,361
you should go to school, get a job, get married, have 3 or 4 kids, then go skiing for one week a winter. Maybe weekends if the kids don't have a soccer game.
Jul 16 2009 1:57PM
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Jakx~
Posts: 653 - Karma: 503
I would say go to a community college and take the winter course off but instead take classes during the summer to make up for the lost time.  But after that if you wanted to major in something you might be able to find classes during the summer for your major but it will probably be very rare so you might just have to stick it through the two years with very little skiing but don't ski bum it afterwards cause you will have lots of debt to pay off so if your going to take a year off do it in between high school and college
Jul 16 2009 2:09PM
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Keyjibbs
Posts: 1542 - Karma: 96
I agree with most of what you said there. My situation is different since I have most of my schooling payed for through scholarships so going to school 2 days a week really isn't any different than taking a year off working and 2 days a week. I'm still going to be skiing more than ever while still getting my degree. Again I know my situation is different and its really up to the person and how they feel. I'd say think about how motivated you are about finishing your schooling. If you know for certain you'll be able to go back after taking a year off then I say go for it. But if you get unmotivated fairly easily I'd just go to school even if its just part time.
Jul 16 2009 2:15PM
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Chalet_9
Posts: 40 - Karma: 30
I took the last year off after highschool, and while I wasn't a ski bum and didn't travel, I was at the mountain 4 days a week skiing. It was SO nice, and personally, I feel like I got a grip on reality that my friends who went to college didn't get. But all my motivation for going back to school is gone. It was worth it, you just have to be sure you want to or can motivate yourself to go back to school when you're done.
Jul 16 2009 3:52PM
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Drail
Posts: 14012 - Karma: 10,010
yea - I see way to many people go to post secondary simply because they feel obligated to, and the end up wasting up to a decade and thousands (and thousands) of dollars to end up in the same boat as me.


Also, this might sound very negative and you can tell me to shut up if you want, but at this point in time, you should really look into what you are planning on taking in school and think: "Will I be able to find a job when I get out of school?" You don't want to know how many friends I have that went to school for forestry, finished the program, and are, well - not working in the forestry industry.
Jul 16 2009 3:59PM
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ccmb59fifty
Posts: 31 - Karma: 15
I just did that last year and it was one of the best decicions I have ever made. I would say go for it!
Jul 16 2009 4:09PM
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ski_DC
Posts: 1347 - Karma: 58
nomensteven is as wise as his icon looks. It really does depend on how your (and your family) stand financially. another thing to consider is if you plan on going to graduate school. personally, i hope to take some time off from college before grad school to do some traveling while I am still (relatively) free of responsibility, ie wife, family of my own, etc. Another option is going on a year or semester abroad somewhere you can ski. that way you are still in school, it costs alot less, you get to meet lots of people your own age, and still have a great deal of fun.
Jul 16 2009 4:10PM
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highaltNM
Posts: 552 - Karma: 52
Please take a year off.  If you don't do it for yourself, do it for me.

I contemplated taking off a year after high school to really try and "go big" and "make it."  Whatever that means.  My parents talked me out of it and I decided to head to college.  I went to a school that was close to mountains (3 hrs away) and skied my ass off on weekends.  I extended my addiction into grad school and skied for 2 more years.  While I still skied a lot, I didn't get nearly as many days as I wish I would have in my prime.  Once I graduated from Grad school, I started looking for a job in SLC, Denver, Portland; basically anywhere that has mountains.  Turns out, for an engineer that has an MBA, well paying jobs are hard to find in these areas.  Thus, my stupid ass moved to Dallas.  Lets not forget that I now have $40k+ in student loan/credit card debt.

Now my "outdoor" life is pretty much fucked.  I had to move to Dallas to get a "real job" and I'm pretty much stuck with skating and wakeboarding.  We have a sweet summer rail setup in Texas, if you can believe that, and I still get 30+ days a year on the mountain.  My parents are up in the mountains and I use all my time off to ski.  Its not all bad though..... My job sends me all over the country and I ski every place I can.  I actually will be riding Chile at the end of August on "The Man's" dime.  Anyways, just do it man.  I wanted to and should have.....

Spark Notes:  If you go to school you will not ever have this chance again because of debt.  You will have to get a job where you can and then you are stuck.

Word. 
Jul 16 2009 4:26PM
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_CC_
Posts: 3890 - Karma: 747
im reallyy thinking about doing this.  im really young for my grande and could efinitly get away with it.  as a white kid from the suburbs ive been pretty sheltered. i think thats bullshit so i really think you should do it and get some real world experiance out of it. 
Jul 16 2009 4:43PM
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aurora.
Posts: 1169 - Karma: 104
I didn't take a year off, but I took a semester off after graduating in december. I can honestly say it was the best decision of my life. I skied every single day. It was exactly what i needed. I worked my ass off in high school and was often wound up pretty tight. I was stressed, I got maybe 4 hours of sleep on a good night, and just in general was not a happy person. There were so many things I wanted to do outside of school that i never had time for, and by ski bumming i got all of those accomplished and i got to ski everyday. I didn't work during this time because i had enough money saved up from the summer and my parents were/are still supporting me. I had pretty much died and gone to heaven.

There is no reason to rush into college. You will have plenty of time in your life to be successful and change the world.

You will probably regret if you don't take a year off and you sure as hell won't regret a thing if you do.
Jul 16 2009 4:48PM
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CoachG
Posts: 2546 - Karma: 448
I dont know why everyone would take a year off of school. love skiing just as much as anyone. But all you have to do is pick a ski school and set your schedule up so you can ride 3-4 days a week. That's what i did my freshman year and it was blast, plus you can't beat college life.
Jul 16 2009 4:53PM
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Where-am-I
Posts: 1635 - Karma: 281
FUCK YES!
Jul 16 2009 4:55PM
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highaltNM
Posts: 552 - Karma: 52
true
Jul 16 2009 5:15PM
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pothier
Posts: 302 - Karma: 619
take winter off then do summer classes so you stay caught up with everyting and you still get to ski a lot
Jul 16 2009 5:28PM
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DHogg
Posts: 3462 - Karma: 237
Not taking a year off before i went to college is something i regret. I considered it but got talked out of it by my parents for many of the reasons already mentioned in this thread. Personally, i think i would have done better at uni if i took a year or two off. You learn what you actually want to do and here at least the amount you drink in first and second year is ridiculous looking back. In short if i took a year off, i'd be a better skier, have better life experiences, more friends, and a better academic record. I would advise anyone to do it.
Jul 16 2009 5:55PM
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Drail
Posts: 14012 - Karma: 10,010
really? have you tried ski bum life?
Jul 16 2009 6:37PM
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JamanBird
Posts: 148 - Karma: 11
I finished up school in four years and then became a ski bum. I don't have any debt though. You could always go somewhere where they have tri-mesters and take the winter off.
Jul 16 2009 8:04PM
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Tinga
Posts: 11349 - Karma: 2,333
after taking a year off from school i would imagine it would be terribly hard to get back into the swing of things.
Jul 16 2009 8:07PM
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Ben.
Posts: 21463 - Karma: 683
should you leave a semi important life decision up to randoms on the internet? probably not.
Jul 16 2009 8:08PM
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taaayyla
Posts: 173 - Karma: 14
I'd say go to school for like a year or two and then take a year off and go ski/work at a mountain because that way you will have a couple years of school down and it won't be so overwhelming/ less of a chance of loving life as a ski bum and never going back to school.
Jul 16 2009 8:27PM
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Legoman
Posts: 533 - Karma: 13
Id take the year out.

I went to uni, did my first year and in that year basically learnt, to a greater extent, what I wanted from life, so took a year out of uni, skied, and confirmed that was what I wanted. Its not super specific but in general thats the lifestyle and the life I want to lead.

Best thing I have ever done and have no regrets, you'll find out more about what you want and who you are. Saying that I dont regret having my first year at uni and if you can id so a year and then did as I did and take a year out, because if you want to make a proper decision you need to see both sides of the coin.

Saying that I will go back to uni or some form of higher education at some point as it is necessary if you dont want to live that lifestyle till you die, in my opinon. There are always oppurtunites however.

Its a hard decsion but like I said you can only make a proper one if you spend time actually doing both expereinces, although I understand this is feasably hard to do and requires a lot of mental commitment.

Best of luck.
Jul 16 2009 8:37PM
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JamanBird
Posts: 148 - Karma: 11
No. A typical college/university has two semesters during the school year then summer classes available. A school like Denver that has tri-mesters has three semesters, hence the name(sep-dec, jan- march, april-june). You can take the winter trimester off to ski, while still getting a good amount of course work done.
Jul 16 2009 8:56PM
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troublemaker3
Posts: 1954 - Karma: 225
dude dont break the cycle, go right back to school, get a degree and then do whatever you want for a year or more. you will be glad you got the school out of the way. and you will be smarter, more mature and have a better understanding of what you want. trust me
Jul 16 2009 10:46PM
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DangerToes
Posts: 1042 - Karma: 33
It really depends on you honestly. If you have the motivation to keep going to school, then by all means get some out of the way. But if you're super burned out right now, then take a break. Personally I went to uni for 2 years, was feeling burned out on education and took a year off to travel and ski with my remaining funds. I'm back at school now and I actually know what I want to do with myself, rather than just taking whatever classes seemed to make sense. So yea, take a look at yourself and where your motivation is at right now, don't just listen to what worked for everyone else.
Jul 16 2009 11:11PM
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scotch18year
Posts: 14 - Karma: 10
This is terrible advice.  If you graduate with a degree in say accounting, employers are going to want to hire you when the knowledge you accumulated during college is still fresh in your mind.  If you take a year out to wait tables and ski, then you may find that you are no longer qualified for a position in your field, assuming that you are not applying to work in the ski industry for a career.
Jul 17 2009 12:40AM
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meowshred
Posts: 388 - Karma: 28
go for it dude just make sure u dont lose motivation for collage after that fuckin dope year
Jul 17 2009 1:44AM
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Z_rob
Posts: 3076 - Karma: 152
this guy makes a point. Go Out and ski your brains out Dave while your still young and life is still fairly simple. Live at home and just ski, chill with your friends and travel the world. Cause when you graduate college shit gets serious a.k.a. Career, Marraige, Kids. You won't get a better chance to ski like this again
Jul 17 2009 1:56AM
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Deletedtoday
Posts: 4060 - Karma: 398
definitely dont take a whole year off. its hard to go back

get the winter quarter off and just take a small number of community collage classes
Jul 17 2009 2:03AM
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Billups
Posts: 3960 - Karma: 329
I took a semester off after transfering schools and all I did was work and get some skiing in. After that, I went back and it was definitely hard to get back into the swing of thing, but I also hate school in general. It was good for me though. If you have the opportunity, I'd recommend it.
Jul 17 2009 2:15AM
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smuggs
Posts: 6561 - Karma: 1,375
i say fuck school and be a ski bum your whole life. what are you going to learn in school anyway how to count better, how to build a proper sentence? (the schools and banks also learn how to count the green backs that you give them as you slave away at some shitty job 60 hours a week to pay back your loans and interests) the economy is fucked, there arent jobs for all college graduates, you are gonna have to go get a phd if you want a top notch job nowadays anyway. plus the global warming craze is threatening to take snow away and you want to spend your time in a classroom?
Jul 17 2009 4:18AM
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oyserizer
Posts: 19 - Karma: 10

theres no simple response to this.

weigh your priorities is all i can say. in norway its customary to take a year off. most kids work at a grocery store and save up enough money to go travelling for a while. which is great, by all means. however i realized that the only thing i would want to do in a year off is ski, the best way to get that done was to move to a place where i could ski alot. so now im at school in vancouver. whatever you chose though, be sure that you are prepared to service the debt you  may accumulate, the last few days it has been dawning on me that i actually have to you know, get a job.

Jul 17 2009 5:44AM
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mozzy
Posts: 1034 - Karma: 60
Lots of factors involved- you're going out on your own, essentially, are you ready? Financially, can you maintain the cost of living vs. the amount you're going to be earning? Do you have to work two jobs to sustain your lifestyle? It's quite a transition from having a regimented schedule in high school to the relative freedom of the adult world.

Then, let's ask whether you're looking to try to go pro or just out there to push your limits while enjoying yourself. Going the pro route, and have the credentials to back yourself up? Then go now, your mind and body are at its peak so take advantage of it.

Taking a year off to enjoy skiing- well, maybe you can combine the college and the skiing somewhere. There are plenty of discussions about colleges close to good skiing that are worth reading.

For reference, I worked at a resort on weekends while doing my day job 200 miles away. And I took a summer off to travel and explore and just chill out before beginning my new job.


Jul 17 2009 8:29AM
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partyalex
Posts: 131 - Karma: 11
i did this, season in Quebec followed by season in NZ!
Jul 17 2009 9:26AM
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nickmiles
Posts: 1070 - Karma: 844
thats what i do. works great
Jul 17 2009 9:59AM
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