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College or Ski?!?

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.Gladiator.
Posts: 272 - Karma: 2,357
Hey guys…So I'm a senior in HS from MN and I'm graduating in 2 weeks. Everyone is pushing for me to decide what I am going to do next fall. Here's the thing..I don't really feel ready for college yet. And even if I was I don't really want to stay here in MN and go to school because skiing is such an important part of my life and MN doesn't really cut it for me. If all else fails, I would be going to UMD Duluth in MN. They have Spirit Mountain which isn't all that bad but I really want to move out west and experience backcountry and the BIG parks like Keystone and Breck. I don't really want to hop right into college after HS because I am not motivated at all in my current situation. ALL I WANT TO DO IS SKI. I have looked at CMC (Colorado Mountain College) and was thinking that might work because maybe I could go to school part time or something. I just really don't know what to do. I was wondering if anyone else is in my situation and if you guys have any suggestions of what I could do? I know I need to get an education but I also REALLY want to ski as much as I can.

THANKS!
May 12 2014 9:19AM
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.Gladiator.
Posts: 272 - Karma: 2,357
big.loveCommunity colleges offer online programs that get you the same freshmen and sophomore credits cheaper amd more efficiently than traditional universities. That way you could live wherever you want and continue education for a couple years meanwhile figuring out what you want to do with your future. Assuming you do two years worth you walk away with an associates at least.

The one drawback I found early on was how easy it is to fuck up the time management when you don't physically go to class though. Added the time spent working to support yourself and riding it can be stressfull.

It's not for everyone, but can totally be done with motivation and organization.

Might not be worth shit to you but it's my 2 cents worth. Good luck with your decision and always enjoy and respect the shred even if life pulls you away for a minute.

Thanks for the advice man! It really helps!!
May 14 2014 7:42PM
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avgvstynovich
Posts: 155 - Karma: 6,825
skiing for live, education for money, choose ...
May 15 2014 1:54PM
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lIllI
Posts: 1255 - Karma: 1,986
bighomieflockWell this is an interesting statement.


How so? It's a time consuming job that doesn't pay, and it has a massive opportunity cost for young people who could be pursuing their goals instead.
May 15 2014 3:18PM
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pw.
Posts: 9 - Karma: 97
Check out Western State Colorado University. We're in Gunnison, Colorado and ski some of the best powder, steeps and cliffs you can get. My freshman year, I skied 85 days with an injury that kept me out for a good chunk of the season. I scheduled my classes so that I had every afternoon available to ski, and there's a free bus running from the school to the mountain 8 times a day. Most of our professors work here because they love the environment and ski as well, so they completely understand the situation when they get an email at 6 am that you're "unavailable" to come to class directly after a sick snow storm. Most kids either schedule all of their classes on certain days so they have entire days off, or always take classes during the morning so that they can ski everyday. I came here to ski, and that was the best choice I ever made.
May 15 2014 4:05PM
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Holzsteezy*
Posts: 584 - Karma: 1,110
just do what ever feels right man. If ya don't wanna go to college right now then don't.
May 15 2014 4:40PM
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dtwizzle
Posts: 233 - Karma: 1,951
My sister took a break for a year, lived in australia with a relative, and came back a year later and went to PSU. And then my brother just dropped out of psu freshman year and moved west to ski.


Think whatever you think is smart I geuss
May 15 2014 4:45PM
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AAas
Posts: 45 - Karma: 1,101
As someone from duluth I will say UMD is a great school and spirits park crew usually kills it
May 15 2014 9:59PM
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HamFaceGirl
Posts: 5242 - Karma: 2,676
lIllIDon't judge college based on high school. High school is little more than socialized daycare where half of what they teach you are lies and the grades don't really matter. College, by design, is meant to actually make you a respectable, civilized human being. What you learn there enriches your day-to-day existence. Regardless of what your degree is, if you attend a competent school and put in a genuine effort with unfaltering curiosity, you evolve beyond being some hedonistic, passive consumer and become a well-rounded, thinking individual (in theory, at least).



Because college largely sucks. If he's used to skiing and having fun as an independent adult, what short-term motivation will he have to suffer the grueling responsibilities of college? Sure there's exceptions, but the vast majority of kids who "take time off" just never go back because college involves working your ass off for no money (in fact they lose money). Can you blame them?

If he doesn't want to go, he shouldn't waste his time/money. You have to want to be there, otherwise it's a complete waste of time, even if he graduates.



LOL "COLLEGE SUCKS" are you fucking kidding me? Like really
May 15 2014 10:16PM
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JakeHarris
Posts: 56 - Karma: -16
definitely check out the university of utah. im now a junior there and have gotten more days in each year then i could have imagined. its a good school, cheap, and close to so many resorts. you can always take the winters off as well. trust me, one day youll regret not going to college. ski AND get a degree dog.
May 16 2014 1:04AM
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.Gladiator.
Posts: 272 - Karma: 2,357
lIllIHow so? It's a time consuming job that doesn't pay, and it has a massive opportunity cost for young people who could be pursuing their goals instead.


But what if skiing all the time IS my goal?
May 19 2014 10:07AM
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infedel_one
Posts: 5140 - Karma: 444
The referenced post has been removed.


moron. you are definitely interpreting it wrong. it means that the knowledge you will learn will last forever. Skiing, while it may be fun, will last as long as you are healthy and dont get injured. Why Cant you go to college AND ski? I attended college in Vermont, finished in 4 years, and skied 80 days a season. Or if you really want to go ski somewhere, go to an area where there is a college like CMC where you can take the basic classes and also ski most every day.
May 19 2014 10:16AM
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lIllI
Posts: 1255 - Karma: 1,986
YogurtSlangerLOL "COLLEGE SUCKS" are you fucking kidding me? Like really


I mean, if you actually pursue a useful degree and don't fuck off while you're there, then the whole thing becomes a burden. Granted, during the honeymoon phase you're still stoked on your "independence" and the parties but that shit gets boring really quickly.
May 19 2014 11:30AM
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lIllI
Posts: 1255 - Karma: 1,986
HippyKiller007But what if skiing all the time IS my goal?


I'd say you have a very short-sighted yet admirable goal that should not effect your decision to go/not go to college.
May 19 2014 11:32AM
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caseysegal
Posts: 24 - Karma: 33
just go to community collage somewhere out west for 2 years and ski then graduate from a university u can ski and save a but load of money.
May 19 2014 9:16PM
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Nate_Dawg
Posts: 54 - Karma: 106
HippyKiller007But what if skiing all the time IS my goal?


Then do it.
but do it now while you're young and the consequences of fucking off and not earning any money for a season won't stick for long. Taking a year off in 5, 10, or 15 years time might seem just as rewarding (it's skiing right, it never gets old), but the sacrifices you will have to make will be much larger.

It's going to be way easier to 'ski all the time' when you're 18-20 than when you're 30.
So do it now. and then go to a school afterwards where you can pursue both.

the school options posted in this thread have been great, and if you're just the slightest bit strategic, then you can ski for a year, while setting yourself up for a great school in september 2015:)
May 25 2014 6:11AM
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