Well I graduate in a week and I was just wondering if any of you guys had any fond memories of graduating or just fond memories of things you did during or after high school....the only thing this has to do with gaming is that a portion of my group will be heading off to college. Just thought I would ask.
Congrats on the graduation - I don't have very many anecdotes to share, as my post-high school experience sucked, but I do remember celebrating by getting a large stack of minis to assemble and paint.
Thanks and Im pretty much in the same boat as you guys, my whole high school xp hasnt been very exciting and my post high school dosnt look to exciting, but what ever at least I have games.....
Trying to remember if I even went to my graduation; I shipped out 3 days later. We didn't have a 10-year reuinion that I'm aware of.
These are the times where you'll find out who really likes to play and who doesn't... You'll find that many people you're playing with now will slowly lose interest in the game, find other hobbies, have girlfriends, kids, or some other excuse to say they don't have the time anymore. The truth is, that if you like something that much, you'll find the time no matter what.
I've played all throughout high school (three to four times a week if possible), and when my regular gaming group slowly disbanded, I went on and found another group of younger players and DMed for them (once a week or so). And when they disbaned a few years later, I found more people and DMed for them (we now play once every two weeks). So, I've always played/DMed to this very day.
Of course, you'll play less. But if you don't give up on it, the story will always be there when you get back. Growing old doesn't mean you can't have fun... In fact, you should have MORE fun as you get older.
I've also noticed that I don't play D&D for the same reasons that I did twenty years ago. Now it's more of a 'get-together' type of thing, where your old buddys come over and have a beer, share stories, and slaughter a few orcs while we're at it.
Ultradan
Bella Sara Charter Superscriber
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These are the times where you'll find out who really likes to play and who doesn't... You'll find that many people you're playing with now will slowly lose interest in the game, find other hobbies, have girlfriends, kids, or some other excuse to say they don't have the time anymore. The truth is, that if you like something that much, you'll find the time no matter what.
It's taken me a long time to come to realize the truth of this. I used to bug my old high school group every time I came out to try and get them to play. They kept making excuses and none of them continued to follow the game like I did. Finally, the last time I visited, it hit me that for them, gaming had been a transitory experience, something done as a kid's type thing, and not a lasting hobby.
Plus, the truth is, I can't quit. I've tried, multiple times, to just put aside the gaming books and quit wasting my time with the whole hobby, but every time, I find myself sliding back into it, creating worlds and villians and adventure ideas, and then writing them down, and then itching to play again.
But, at this point, my take away advice for immediate post high school life is simple - keep your nose clean. If you're going to college, don't f+&* up and drop out. If you're not going to college, don't f$*# up and start a family too early. It's hard to get back into college once you fall out and it's very hard to do anything else once you've started a family.
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But, at this point, my take away advice for immediate post high school life is simple - keep your nose clean. If you're going to college, don't f~&! up and drop out. If you're not going to college, don't f~&! up and start a family too early. It's hard to get back into college once you fall out and it's very hard to do anything else once you've started a family.
Never has truer words been written.
I had all kinds of self-inflicted stupidity after High School, which I won't go into now, but it takes a huge amount of effort, time(took me several years) and money(10s of thousands in my case(s)) to fix what amounts to a small mistake. Some of my issues still rear their heads from time to time. I'm 36. Be careful.That spur of the moment rebellious act can have far reaching consequences.
Good Luck.
High School sucked, I don't talk to anyone I knew in High School. When the forced proximity is removed you will see that most of the people you swore would be lifelong friends were nothing more than a bunch of people who banded with you to get through a hard period in life, and now that it's over they will slowly fade away.
Grim, huh?
FH
It's hard to get back into college once you fall out and it's very hard to do anything else once you've started a family.
Very very true. I'm only taking two classes, but they're a b+%@@ and everything else in life seems to intrude in upon it. :(
But, at this point, my take away advice for immediate post high school life is simple - keep your nose clean. If you're going to college, don't f#&% up and drop out. If you're not going to college, don't f#&% up and start a family too early. It's hard to get back into college once you fall out and it's very hard to do anything else once you've started a family.
In the words of Bill and Ted, "Listen to this dude Sebastian-- he KNOWS what he's talking about!"
Plus, the truth is, I can't quit. I've tried, multiple times, to just put aside the gaming books and quit wasting my time with the whole hobby, but every time, I find myself sliding back into it, creating worlds and villians and adventure ideas, and then writing them down, and then itching to play again...
Oh yeah... I've been through that multiple times. I remember the feeling, right after my first group stopped playing. I put those books away thinking that was the end of it. But no. A few short weeks later, I found myself scribbling maps and campaign ideas for players I didn't even have. Then it happened. One of my best friend's girlfriend told me that her little brother (who was five years younger than us) started to play D&D. So when I met him at a christmas party a few months later, I talked to him about what he thought of D&D. He said he was begining to like it, but their DM left so their gang didn't play anymore. Well well well... Guess who offered his services.
Once you really get into this %$#@!, you can't really stop. Your need for adventure, story telling, and creativity just can't be ignored.
Ultradan
Congratulations. Now the plot really thickens.
Yeah, finish college! I went to college from '86 to '88 and then from '98 to '01.....should not have dropped out, should have finished it and then moved on.
I hope you're catching all of this. Don't drop out of college! Here's another voice chiming in to let you know, it's very hard to go back once work and family get going full swing. I've finally found the time to go back this fall, and wouldn't you know it, my first class is one week after my 20th high school reunion. See how long it takes? Go to school! Stay in school!
Congradulation on high school. unlike many who posted, I enjoyed high school. I thought it was a lot easier than the years immediatly following high school. For me those were tough times, I didn't know what to do with myself. I eventually spent time in jail and found my way into college.
If I were you I would skip the jail thing and go straight into college.
I work with struggling high school students, it is really good to hear the successess.
Besides your part of the paizo community, there no room for losers here. So I am sure you will find success out of high school as well.
God (or Goddess or Gods and Goddessess) Bless
I hope you're catching all of this. Don't drop out of college! Here's another voice chiming in to let you know, it's very hard to go back once work and family get going full swing. I've finally found the time to go back this fall, and wouldn't you know it, my first class is one week after my 20th high school reunion. See how long it takes? Go to school! Stay in school!
Wow your like Sir Kaikillah age. Thats old.
Ssshhh! ;P
Ssshhh! ;P
sshhh sorry never reveal a ladies age.
Well thanks everybody the i will take the advice to heart and well...I guess i will try and stay in college, i know one guy who flunked out of two colleges because of guildwars and now his life is pretty bad, but seriiously thanks for all the advice and well having the support of those whom have already been through all the experiences i am about to go through means alot...Thanks.
Wow your like Sir Kaikillah age. Thats old.
I just looked up an old thread where you announced you were a Cancer, that makes YOU older than me, HA! (every month counts right?)
As to the topic, I'm glad you are taking our advice to heart. I know it's hard to listen to a bunch of old fogeys (like Sir Kaikillah, not me) when you have your whole life still ahead of you. But our greatest wish is that the younger generation learn from our mistakes to save them hardship and pain.
So good luck, good wishes, and I know I can safely say, we here on the boards are here for you when you need us. Oh, and one more piece of advice, study hard in English!
I remember my high school graduation. We smuggled in a six foot inflatable....you-know-what...and inflated it during one of the speeches. I'll never forget my chemistry teacher tackling it and popping it with a pen. Probably the best day of high school ever.
I just recently graduated college, myself, and everybody's advice is spot-on. Go for something you really want to do, avoid MMORPGs in favor of schoolwork (if you're into those a little too much) and don't do anything too ridiculous. The best thing I did was leave my video games and television at home. It was a lot easier to work and now that I'm back at home with those luxuries, it's a bit more difficult.
Congratulations, and I hope the next four years are even better for you than the last four.
Contributor
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As someone else said, the most exciting thing for me about my high school graduation was getting out of my high school. I have no desire to go back.
And like a few others, I wasted many opportunities in terms of education, and ended up graduating university one year after my brother who is three years younger than me.
I had some difficult confusing times.
The good news is, life can get better. It sure did for me. Frankly, I'm living the dream right now. I don't have a lot financially, but believe me, there are more important things in life.
As to college; I don't know what your plans are, but I'll say this. If you know what you want, go for it, and don't let anything stop you.
If you don't know what you want, don't sink your future into a guess. College is expensive, and if you are just taking something to go to college, you are wasting your time and money.
What I should have done is gotten a trade, and taken some academic courses on the side. I value what my education gave me. And I don't think I could have decided where I was going any faster than I did, but my life would have been a lot easier if I had a recognized qualification that paid. I'm a skilled guy, but I've spent way to much time getting underpaid in the service industry while trying to support deciding what I want to do and then trying to support doing what I want to do. And meanwhile, I racked up an impressive debt load from my student loans.
I can't say I have regrets; like I said, I'm happy where I am and if I had done things differently, I might be somewhere else. But I went through some tough times and unhappiness too, and maybe I could have avoided some of that.
Good luck and congratulations, and for goodness sake, don't give up the game!
Craig Shackleton,
The Rambling Scribe
Agian I would just like to say thanks, and that I take the advice everyone gives me to heart. The other day I was talking to a guy and he gave me the best advice I had heard in a while he told me, "don't be fake, being fake will only cause you to regret your choices and you can only truley be happy when you have no regrets" many of your comments reflect on this peice of knowledge. Again I thank you greatly for showing some random kid the kindness that you do.
Streaking was very popular when I graduated high school and …you guessed it…one of the guys streaked the ceremony. Pathetic really.
I recall a bunch of people being really sad and crying, etc. But I was really happy to be out of there! I didn't understand all the tears. But now, 25 years later, I realize that I have not seen many (most) of my "friends" since then. I think if I had known that back then, I would have been a little sad too.
Well being seperated from the people that I have come to trust over the past four (seven with many of them) is the only thing that is bothering me right now...I guess it will all work out and I will find out who my real friends are
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Aside from the one I'm married to, I only see two of my high school friends on a regular basis. I keep in touch with a few more on myspace, but I am content with my life without them. A couple of friends is really all you need (as long as you have atleast four for D&D).
As to the college thing, I dropped out twice, got married and ended up living with my in-laws for a while (not fun). Now that I have a daughter and finacial responsiblities(sp?), It will be nearly impossible for me to go back to college. If you decide to go, stick with it, don't get distracted by games, partying, or illegal folliage of a narcotic nature (definetly stay away from that last one).
Other than that, don't blow all the money you get as graduation gifts on beer and Hooters girls.