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College vs. skiing

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JTCasper540_MN
Posts: 742 - Karma: 3,698
hey ns...I live in Minnesota and my home mountain is Afton Alps, and college is coming up for me and I'm not sure what i should do. I do'nt have any major giant scholarships anywhere so lets just say that I'm definitely not going for free anywhere and I'm trying to decide if i should take a year off and ski or go to college...if i took a year off to ski i would mainly be skiing like every day at Afton Alps in their park and places in my general area like spirit mountain, granite peaks, and lutsen mountains...if i went to college there would be no time to ski because i am going to have to work a lot to get the money for college.
Apr 23 2014 4:09PM
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StokeFactor
Posts: 348 - Karma: 1,012
Taking a year for yourself won't kill, and what you can do is get a part-time job while skiing so you can save some money for college
Apr 23 2014 4:12PM
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TOAST.
Posts: 7513 - Karma: 36,473
Do you know what you want to major in/do in the future? If you don't know what you want to do I would say just ski and get a job to save up for when you do go and maybe throw in some classes at a community college to get gen eds out of the way.
Apr 23 2014 4:19PM
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.Hugo.
Posts: 17360 - Karma: 28,488
I'm from MN, didn't get a full ride and Afton was my home hill. I took 16-18 credits every semester, worked, and still managed to ski 3 times a week. If you manage your time wisely and aren't stupid as fuck it can easily be done.
Apr 23 2014 4:20PM
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JTCasper540_MN
Posts: 742 - Karma: 3,698
.Hugo.I'm from MN, didn't get a full ride and Afton was my home hill. I took 16-18 credits every semester, worked, and still managed to ski 3 times a week. If you manage your time wisely and aren't stupid as fuck it can easily be done.


where did you go to college?
Apr 23 2014 4:24PM
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JTCasper540_MN
Posts: 742 - Karma: 3,698
.Hugo.I'm from MN, didn't get a full ride and Afton was my home hill. I took 16-18 credits every semester, worked, and still managed to ski 3 times a week. If you manage your time wisely and aren't stupid as fuck it can easily be done.


where did you go to college?
Apr 23 2014 4:26PM
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.Hugo.
Posts: 17360 - Karma: 28,488
I'm in my senior year at Bemidji State
Apr 23 2014 4:26PM
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JTCasper540_MN
Posts: 742 - Karma: 3,698
thanks hugo
Apr 23 2014 4:32PM
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50Kal
Posts: 2829 - Karma: 5,415
Find the easiest transferable community college in the twin cities metro. Take a couple basic college classes. Buy student pass. ski. work. Study.

If I could do it again, this what I would of done. Granted my life is not bad but It would be nice to have 4 year degree. I would have way more opportunities with a 4 year. Might go back to school some day.

But right now Im diggin the ski bum/seasonal life just from a two year degree in Park and Recreation.
Apr 23 2014 4:58PM
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Bittner
Posts: 3675 - Karma: 1,573
take as many years as until your ready to move on with ur life, if you like skiing that much dont feel as though you only have a year. It is very possible to work and be sustainable as well as ski 100+ days.
Apr 23 2014 4:59PM
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Peter.
Posts: 23796 - Karma: 13,014
don't let skiing impact your college choice too much. when you get a nice job you can ski a ton still. dont go to a shit school just so you can ski
Apr 23 2014 5:08PM
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milk_man
Posts: 5252 - Karma: 5,978
It depends on how good you are at skiing.

Personally I would try to manage both skiing and college because its super important to get a degree.. Doesn't necessarily make you that much smarter but you need that piece of paper to get a job.
Apr 23 2014 5:44PM
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Toaster-Tony
Posts: 3531 - Karma: 5,850
the_trapIt depends on how good you are at skiing.

Personally I would try to manage both skiing and college because its super important to get a degree.. Doesn't necessarily make you that much smarter but you need that piece of paper to get a job.



Skill doesn't matter at all it's all about commitment. Looking back I probably should have taken a year to save up some money and get my mindset right for college. I'm a junior this year and things are going alright, but they could be better if I didn't fuck up my earlier years.

If you feel like you can't handle the temptation of skiing or don't want to jump into college just yet, take a year, make as much money as you can, and have fun. Just make it worth it if you do decide to take that route.

Afton is also my home "mountain"
Apr 23 2014 5:52PM
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NMMedia
Posts: 982 - Karma: 1,700
Look into UMD. I'm a freshman there this year. Took 16 credits first semester and 13 second semester. Managed to make it out to Spirit Mountain 80+ times this season plus some urban missions, often heading out with the crew after classes were done and doing school work once we returned. Worked out super well. Love the environment and the people here. Super sick, super large skiing community here, first two weeks of school and I already knew 6 other skiers focusing on park, and even more who just shred the hill. Also a final note, student season pass at spirit is only $170 so pretty cheap compared to most places. Send me a PM if you have any questions about whatnot.
Apr 23 2014 6:09PM
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skier58284
Posts: 1705 - Karma: 5,366
Quit school, move to mountains, be a ski bum. I lived in Minneapolis and taught at Afton last winter. Now I live in Utah.
Apr 23 2014 6:16PM
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busterburns
Posts: 485 - Karma: 539
50KalFind the easiest transferable community college in the twin cities metro. Take a couple basic college classes.
Apr 23 2014 6:33PM
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Twandos
Posts: 259 - Karma: 2,028
I'm a junior at UMD and I have set up my class schedules to always allow me to ski 5 days a week, all day if I wanted with a 15 credit course load, so I mean there is always a way to do school and ski.

Why I will tell you to do school and ski if you are in minnesota is that the weather sucks here and there will be many days that will essentially be unskiable because of cold weather and road conditions.

Yes will there be days that are awesome and you will miss because you have class but you will be one year ahead of where you would be.

just my .02 from being in school and loving to ski every chance I get. Spirit Mt. is awesome and when I asked Henrik Harlaut about it he said it was one of the best parks (length wise and variation of features) on their midwest tour and he said only Mammoth and a few resorts out in CO are better which for a midwest hill competing against resort giants like vail and mammoth.
Apr 23 2014 6:59PM
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Jahoe_Stuyve
Posts: 415 - Karma: 2,506
Lotta people I know take a year or 2 off while working so they can gain residency in state while taking like 1 0r 2 classes to get gen eds out of the way. ie if you work 2 seasons at a resort with a college near by you'll more than likely be able to be employed part time when you do go to school = free pass
Apr 23 2014 7:11PM
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Brocka_Flocka
Posts: 1215 - Karma: 8,742
My advise is to take a year off between college and grad school. You'll be over 21 then and be able to enjoy your gap year much, much more.
Apr 23 2014 7:30PM
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milk_man
Posts: 5252 - Karma: 5,978
DiabeetoSkill doesn't matter at all it's all about commitment.


But if you're not good and you're gonna skip college for it, its kinda a lose lose. The only thing you gain is a super fun year..which might be worth it I suppose
Apr 23 2014 7:40PM
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gapersarefriends
Posts: 2158 - Karma: 4,270
the_trapBut if you're not good and you're gonna skip college for it, its kinda a lose lose. The only thing you gain is a super fun year..which might be worth it I suppose


im assuming he's not taking a year off to become the next tom wallisch, he's taking a year off to have a good time and make some money
Apr 23 2014 7:53PM
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acualywasdolan
Posts: 1172 - Karma: -747
Get in first then take a sabbatical
Apr 23 2014 7:59PM
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Toaster-Tony
Posts: 3531 - Karma: 5,850
the_trapBut if you're not good and you're gonna skip college for it, its kinda a lose lose. The only thing you gain is a super fun year..which might be worth it I suppose


You're missing the point. College isn't right for everyone, agreeable? If someone isn't sure if they can fully commit a year of studying and the responsibilities, then they definitely shouldn't drop 10's of thousands on tuition. Instead, they should work a job, save up, and maybe take a couple community college courses to boost credits. What they do in their free time is irrelevant, but I gotta admit, getting laps in is way easier when you don't have to worry about 15+ credits on top of a job.
Apr 23 2014 9:14PM
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elm.
Posts: 1506 - Karma: 13,589
50KalIf I could do it again, this what I would of done.


.
Apr 24 2014 1:35AM
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.Hugo.
Posts: 17360 - Karma: 28,488
I'll also add that I know quite a few people who took a year off inbetween with the intention of making money to help pay for college. They ended up making decent money and lost all motivation to go back to school because they were already making money. Also take into account that if you stay back and take a year off it could be a boring year if all of your friends go away to college. I have one friend that just lives at home and goes to school and he is bored all the time with nothing to do.

If college is something you really want to do, I say just go right into it and get it over with 1 year faster. You have the rest of your life to ski. Making life decisions around a hobby can put you in undesirable conditions.
Apr 24 2014 1:42AM
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Bart.Man
Posts: 1742 - Karma: 1,952
.Hugo.I'll also add that I know quite a few people who took a year off inbetween with the intention of making money to help pay for college. They ended up making decent money and lost all motivation to go back to school because they were already making money. Also take into account that if you stay back and take a year off it could be a boring year if all of your friends go away to college. I have one friend that just lives at home and goes to school and he is bored all the time with nothing to do.

If college is something you really want to do, I say just go right into it and get it over with 1 year faster. You have the rest of your life to ski. Making life decisions around a hobby can put you in undesirable conditions.


What he said
Apr 24 2014 1:54AM
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infedel_one
Posts: 5140 - Karma: 444
dont stick around minnesota for the skiing...haha if yer gonna tak a year off go somewhere that has real skiing!
Apr 24 2014 2:08AM
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.Hugo.
Posts: 17360 - Karma: 28,488
infedel_onedont stick around minnesota for the skiing...haha if yer gonna tak a year off go somewhere that has real skiing!


Unless he plans on going to college in MN. No point in paying for rent hundreds of miles away for a year when he could stay with his parents, if his whole purpose is to save up for college. There are plenty of above average parks in MN/WI.
Apr 24 2014 2:27AM
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assface
Posts: 4319 - Karma: 2,031
Huck_E_CheeseMy advise is to take a year off between college and grad school. You'll be over 21 then and be able to enjoy your gap year much, much more.


...or do both. I'm taking a year off between freshman and sophmore year, it might have been better to do one before college, but it really doesn't matter. There's no reason to rush a degree, especially if you aren't getting as much as you could out of college.

DiabeetoYou're missing the point. College isn't right for everyone, agreeable? If someone isn't sure if they can fully commit a year of studying and the responsibilities, then they definitely shouldn't drop 10's of thousands on tuition. Instead, they should work a job, save up, and maybe take a couple community college courses to boost credits. What they do in their free time is irrelevant, but I gotta admit, getting laps in is way easier when you don't have to worry about 15+ credits on top of a job.


This. Keep your options open for college and for not college
Apr 24 2014 3:10AM
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PhuzzyWuzzy
Posts: 358 - Karma: 82
“If you want to get laid, go to college. If you want an education, go to the library.”

- Frank Zappa
Apr 24 2014 7:51AM
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milk_man
Posts: 5252 - Karma: 5,978
DiabeetoIf someone isn't sure if they can fully commit a year of studying and the responsibilities, then they definitely shouldn't drop 10's of thousands on tuition.


Thats true. I guess I have trouble understanding because my dad works for a university, so if I go to one of the Minnesota state colleges (MSUM, BSU etc) I'll get free tuition
Apr 24 2014 10:57AM
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OCM
Posts: 1276 - Karma: 975
Move out west for a winter, claim residency and get in state tuition at one of the state schools
Apr 24 2014 11:10AM
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-benedetto
Posts: 5238 - Karma: 1,359
I take 12 credits a semester and work mostly on the weekends and still have ample time to ski. I got 40+ days in this year. Try to take classes only 2 days a week like I only take classes on Tuesday/Thursday and work weekends. Manage your time wisely grasshopper and it can be done. However, the GI bill does pay me so that helps a ton too but I wouldn't advise that route or you'll get one day of skiing a year for 4 years :l
Apr 24 2014 12:22PM
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AceleTerrie
Posts: 257 - Karma: 36
Peter.don't let skiing impact your college choice too much. when you get a nice job you can ski a ton still. dont go to a shit school just so you can ski


dont listen to this, go where the snow is. school sucks as it is and if you cant ski youll kill yourself
Apr 24 2014 3:32PM
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m1k3vb
Posts: 75 - Karma: 273
PhuzzyWuzzy“If you want to get laid, go to college. If you want an education, go to the library.”

- Frank Zappa


THis. Except if you can't make it to college you can go to Banff.
Apr 25 2014 8:59AM
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FunkyMalone
Posts: 66 - Karma: 640
If you are interested in engineering at all, go to Michigan Tech University. It's really close to Minnesota and has its own ski hill thats really nice and free. I managed to take 17 credits this semester and I skied about 5 times a week. Plus its the snowiest college in the US, we got 4 inches of fresh last night and I still get to go skiing.
Apr 25 2014 9:14AM
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SamSandmire
Posts: 289 - Karma: 4,536
If you can swing 1 year of out-of-state tuition, check out University of Utah. If you go to summer school, they don't charge out-of-state rates. If you stay a whole year, register to vote, get a Utah drivers license, & a couple more things, you could get in-state status (residency) after one year in Utah. Work at one of the resorts to get a ski pass. Or pick one of the more local" resorts & buy a pass at a student rate. Just one thought….
Apr 25 2014 12:38PM
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SFB
Posts: 8895 - Karma: 26,353
AceleTerriedont listen to this, go where the snow is. school sucks as it is and if you cant ski youll kill yourself


this is dumbest thing ive ever heard. youre a fucking idiot
Apr 25 2014 1:20PM
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.Hugo.
Posts: 17360 - Karma: 28,488
AceleTerriedont listen to this, go where the snow is. school sucks as it is and if you cant ski youll kill yourself


Lol if you can't have fun in college regardless of skiing or not then you're probably a pathetic loser
Apr 25 2014 1:32PM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51757 - Karma: 163,662
I took a year off that became permanent. Best choice I ever made honestly.
Apr 25 2014 1:37PM
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Parrish
Posts: 8695 - Karma: 1,009
If you're going to take a year off why not move to a place with better skiing and ski/work for a season. Maybe even get residency if you would like to go to school in that locations. I know a ton of people up here that are doing/did that. No offense as Minnesota is rad to my knowledge but if you're going to take a year off to ski why not go somewhere where the skiing isn't some tiny hill with a park.
Apr 25 2014 1:39PM
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