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?? The "cutting the financial tie" will happen anyway. (If it doesn't, something is wrong.) Go through college, graduate, THEN decide what you want to do next. You can get your EE degree, get a job in Phoenix working for ON Semi, and spend every weekend at Eloy. Or you may decide that your passion is really BASE jumping, or rock climbing, or flying (i.e. piloting) or interpretive dance. No matter what you decide, you'll be in a very good position to do any or all of them. Senior year of college I had to drop a few fun things that I wanted to do, but I really had to concentrate on graduating. My parents paid part of college for me; the other money came from scholarships, loans and night jobs. I had to make enough money to graduate and put aside enough time to study. So I had to pass up the spring break trip and a lot of nights out. If I had been skydiving then I would have had to take a year off anyway. So the few years away from the sport may be helpful overall. Your shoulder will heal, you will have time to get through school and you'll be in a good position when you graduate.

Might as well tell my story. I went to an engineering school. THEN I discovered skydiving, four years after graduating. I started doing it obsessively. Even moved to California to be closer to good skydiving. At one point I tallied up the year and realized I had made $26,000 skydiving - and that was just weekends and some Fridays. I could quit my job! Live the dream! Skydive every day and get paid for it! I didn't do it. And I am very glad I didn't. I know a lot of friends who went that route, and very few are happy today. The ones who are happy were the best of the best - you've heard a few of their names. The others eventually burned out, or their bodies would wear out, or they'd get themselves injured and be unable to work. And at that point they would try to re-enter the workforce, missing years or decades of schooling/experience. (Or they'd die, which happened all too often.) Instead I kept my job and remained a weekend skydiver. And during that time I did a half dozen four way teams, eight eight way teams, and did video for ~20 teams at local competitions and Nationals. I set three world records. And when one of those world records involved traveling to Thailand for two and a half weeks I could afford it, because I was still working a full time job. Now I am mostly doing tunnel because of family, but I am doing it as often as I want to with no worries about how I will pay for it. And when I skydive, again I don't have to worry about money. That's not for everyone. You may be one of those amazing natural skydivers who can get ten years of experience and then make a decent living coaching, or instruction/video, or stunt work, or even running a gear store or a DZ. But if you're not sure, it's a LOT better (IMO) to have the education/experience to choose your job (a well paying one that gives you plenty of time off) and then make skydiving your weekend obsession than try to make skydiving an occupation. If you try that angle and fail/burn out at skydiving (and it happens) you are still in good shape.

will do, and thanks for the encouragement.

David - Everyone in the community is interested in helping you. It's what is very unique about this group. We're all pulling for you. And expecting updates during the semester. It will be tough and trying, but you have the tools for this.

I was a 24 year old single mom with a high school diploma when I got hooked. Never could afford to jump as much as everyone else. Jumped crap gear for my first 600 jumps. Decided to make skydiving my career and live the dream. It really sucks watching other people jump their asses off while you are packing their parachutes or selling them googles or teaching first jump courses. Get that free education. Get that good paying career. Then (and only then) go back to the dz and start jumping again. It'll be way more fun, you'll jump way more often, you'll be a way better skydiver. I'd say that even if you weren't recovering from major injuries. You are being handed a golden ticket dude. You're an idiot if you don't jump (pun intended) on the opportunity your parents are willing to give you. If you don't want it, can you introduce your parents to my niece?

I will accept their offer.

You are missing the whole point. If you wait 3 to 5 years and get your degree and don't have to worry about loan payments you will have the skydiving world in your hands. The money you don't have to pay for tuition can go to skydiving. You are not quitting anything you are setting yourself up for a much nicer life than if you have lots of bills

If you are stubborn enough to still want to continue jumping after what you have been through you are probably also stubborn enough to fight your way through school and into the degree. And I take back at least a little about your parents and control. After reading your description of the way you have been negotiating with them I'm begging to thing YOU may be the controlling one!

Hi David, Re: it's a tough major and I honestly don't think I can succeed I am a Mech Engr. I started college when I was 24 yrs old & a veteran. It is a tough major. I also did not know whether I would make it. I only really knew that I could finish when I started my very last semester. I saw too many younger people, who were much smarter than, I fail. Primarily, because they wanted to party, chase girls, anything but keep their nose(s) to the grindstone. Re: But I will definitely try. IMO this is the secret to success. I went on have a quite successful 30-yr career as an engineer. I'm nicely retired now; but I am very grateful that I never gave up. As other have said, the sky will wait for you; it is not going away. Jerry Baumchen