I just committed
 

I just made my college decision. But the catch is... I'm only going for a semester. My parents offered to take me sailing during the Spring semester next year, and I couldn't say no. Today I emailed all the other schools I applied to and asked for a deferral. Next year I will decide where I want to go (not the same school as this year).

Yoda, the biggest mistake I've made in my life was going to college for 2 years out of high school before dropping out. I personally needed to see the world from my own eyes before settling down.

When I dropped out at 20 I took my passion for sailing professional and have made a living off the water since then. I am now in my late 20's after living aboard for the past 7 years living and breathing boats.

The funny thing now is that as I am working full time and finishing my bachelors degree I still have a better job than most of my friends that graduated when I should have.

I learned something that is lacking in young Americans. A skill set and a hard work ethic. If you need anyone to talk to please don't hesitate to pm me.

I vote for following your heart especially if it leads you to play with boats.

Thank you very much. I appreciate the advice.
Just for some more background info... After I return from our trip I tentatively plan on attending College of Charleston, double majoring in Economics and International Business, and joining their offshore sailing team!

I went to college for almost a year before dropping out, to start a pretty good job in retail. Four years and a few jobs later, after living in the world, I thought I knew what I wanted to do for a career and joined the USAF. Ended up in a completely different career field, and have been turning wrenches on airplanes for 13 years now. And love it! College isn't the only way to learn about what you want to do. Go sail in the Spring, and live life! Who knows where you may happily end up!

Re: I just committed
 

Well, isn't that special -- all young Americans are lazy! That's why they go straight from four years of high school, many of which require community service as well as honors classes to get into a decent college, then into 4 year college programs.

Because they're lazy. All of them. Good to know.

Re: I just committed
 

Well you certainly should go to a school with a good sailing program! We have Eckerd College here, and their SAR program is really fantastic. I'm sure what you've found is very good also, but it's great you won't have to put that passion on hold to get a college education.

Funny, I took two years off between high school and college to work for dad's commercial diving company and sail. Looking back now I often think to myself that I should have taken just one year off, not two. That second year was just self-indulgence, I should have gotten on with college and not goofed around. I did love sailing Long Island Sound though.

Re: I just committed
 

COC has 10 girls for every guy,I think I would go to school first!(if your a guy) I have regret for not doing it myself,good luck with "your" decision...

Re: I just committed
 

Some free advice from someone who serves as faculty advisor to a university sailing team: double-majoring is not conducive to inter-collegiate athletics. If you're going to make a serious commitment to your team, you won't have time for a second major. I realize that business majors tend not to have the work load of students in the arts and sciences, but unless you're some kind of genius who never needs to crack the books, you simply won't have the time to excel in two majors while you excel in a varsity sport.

Our women's sailing team just qualified for nationals. One of the crew is in one of my classes. Guess what's going to happen to her grades when she misses a week of classes--that's a week of all her classes--to travel to nationals.

You may want to talk to the coach at Charleston about what he thinks of your plan. His name is Ned Goss and you can connect with him through the team website.

Re: I just committed
 

These are complementary majors. You can complete these together, and still compete on a sports team. It's not like you're hoping to land a million-dollar professional contract.

Re: I just committed
 

I'm sure that's good advice. Another option might be committing to five years to finish all your studies. I worked hard in college but I'm glad I had time for the extra-curriculars I did.

Re: I just committed
 

No one is talking about professional contracts here. The point, rather, would be to make the team while at the same time maintaining academic eligibility. At my university, that would be a challenge for a double major. Maybe at Charleston it's easier?

Like I said, the OP should consult with the coach. I doubt that he'll be likely to advise a potential athlete to overload, but he might just tell the OP to listen to ArtM or anyone else who seems to think that it will be easy for student athletes not trying to land a professional contract.

Re: I just committed
 

I think these guys are being dramatic.

A double major does not increase your workload, it just changes your curriculum mix. Your graduation hours requirement does not change. Many of the core requirements will be the same for these two degrees. This should not change your graduation requirements, though it might shift you into a 5 year plan depending on your school's class schedule- if that happens, it just means one more year of competitive sailing and fraternity parties.

You will only have to take a few more business classes, and skip the basketweaving and ballroom dance classes.

In any case, Bash is right. See your counselors - at a minimum, you'll need to set up your curriculum in advance to ensure that you don't miss a critical class and get out of sequence to complete your majors.

that is what I have come to understand, but I can always change my plans.

I agree, and on top of it all I will have 21 credit hours out of the way already.