Need advice on college and jiu jitsu

[Richard Tran]

I'm a senior in high school and about to go to college (4 year university). I do train at a bjj gym and drill extra in my spare time. In regards to jiu jitsu I want to be the competitive student and not just the hobbyist.
I want to have a good job when I grow up but I always hear that getting a masters and college life is hard and time consuming. What I am scared of is that college will take away my training time and maybe permanently through my college life.

Is college really hard? Is it really tough to get a decent job after college nowadays? So I just want to hear you older guys advice on life in college and the right path I should take in life.

[Andy Lopez]

im in college right now (full time) and I train, and I have a girlfriend (a full time job in itself). The thing about college is that its a mind game that will test you till the day you finish. Its not really harder than highschool work depending on your major, its just hard in the sense that the first year or so your basically relearning shit you learned in high school and you start to think "whats the point of this i want to quit". If you have to work a job on top of it all it becomes even more of a juggling act. I can say that its 100% to do it all and not flunk out, but you have to have the will power to tell your woman you need to study, and to stay away from training for one day till you get your school work done. If you can manage it all you can train enough to see your skills improve on a regular basis, but there will be times when you have to 1 week or 1 month without training if you are serious about getting your education. Thats the way it is for me anyways. Im at the point now where i have managed to schedule my classes on monday wedsday and friday only, leaving the rest of the week open for all the other things. I do train on days I go to class also, but not all the time. Whatever you do if you ever have to go an extended time without training always tell yourself you will resume as soon as possible, and throw in a bjj dvd or some shit while you study so you can keep in your life even while your away from it. Stick with college, the smarter the person the smarter the fighter

[lates85]

"What I am scared of is that college will take away my training time and maybe permanently through my college life."

the above statement is nonesense.

there is no better time to do jiu jitsu than when you are in college.....try doing jits when you have to have a job, probably a wife and kids, etc. it gets harder.j ust goto class, go home do homework/study...do a jits class at night....fun on the weekends...party with friends etc. and balance that out. if you have college life paid for through having financial aid or parents money and DON'T have a job....WHEW you are fucking SET SON. reminds me of my god damned self.

[Andy Lopez]

^ what he said!

[John Alighieri]

College was the best time of my life lol study hard party hard lol

[ifreez]

Plus, you don't want to put all you eggs in one basket. Plan your life so you have@ least three forks in the road. If you get an injury doing jiu jitsu, you're still well on your way to a high paying job, or even a skill based job. And if that doesn't work, you should always have at least one more back up plan.

If you put everything down to just one path, like jiu jitsu, if that path fucks up, you're left having to start life from scratch at 35, with nothing, no progress. And you don't want to be in that situation.

[Kevin Green]

College is very important...now don't get me wrong, I know a lot of "dummies" with degrees, so just because someone doesnt have a degree doesn't mean they aren't intelligent....but a degree in this day and age is the key, a pass to a better life. Most big business won't even entertain you without a BA of some sort...almost as if it has become equal to a high school diploma. A masters is almost needed depending on the line of work you want to get into. So take your studies seriously. That doest mean you can't train or compete...plenty of college students do it, not to mention athletes that are required to play a sport, and go to class to keep their scholarships. I played college football and it was like having a full time job. Remember, you have control over your class schedule and days off....you pick what u want to study. College is a great time in your life. Just think ahead, practice good time management and enjoy yourself. Try not to get sucked into the lifestyle that details your goals.
Good luck

[Bill Keeling]

You can def do both! Indiana University has a BJJ class you get credit hours for!!!! What What!!!!

[AndyK5]

I am moving to indiana tomorrow I swear.... where is indiana?

[Josh Passini]

Get your degree while training. It will be totally worth it. Even if your done at 22 or whatever your still young enough to make shit happen.