Is it a bad idea if I were to quit school and pursue martial arts?

Question

I did intend to finish college and get a job but, I've ALWAYS loved martial arts and my love for it only keeps growing and growing. There are many forms of martial arts, more than i can name, and i would really love to study as much as possible. (Karate, Taekwondo, Tai chi, Chi gong (Qi gong) etc. etc. ) Obviously, study for all of this would take up an incredible amount of time, probably even more since i believe i am not in the best of shape right now. I'm tempted to just quit school and get into studying martial arts because i can only do so much in one lifetime. Of course money for food and such would be a factor. Well, tell me what you think? I'm really torn here... Thanks!

Answer 1

If you've ever watched any of those old Kung Fu movies starring Jackie Chan and Jet Li, you'll notice their characters usually had to learn calligraphy and poetry along with their fighting lessons and were punished by their teachers if they neglected them. This reflects a belief among the chinese masters of the old days that training the mind is just as important as training the body. Quitting college now because of time constraints just shows that you have your priorities all wrong. A lot of people are able to juggle hectic schedules, you just need to sit down and set some priorities and give up some activities that may be counterproductive to your goals, like partying for example or going to movies and stuff. Sacrifices are gonna have to be made. As the saying goes, no pain no gain.

Answer 2

Quitting school is a horrible idea.



Maybe you should consider changing your major to Kinesiology or some other sort of physical education. That would give you more opportunities to study martial arts if your college offers such courses. This career path could lead a lot of directions, including setting you up to teach martial arts. Perhaps even teaching at the college level if you pursue a masters or doctorate.



For starters I'd start out with learning 1 or 2 styles — see if your university has a student club.



Don't throw away your education. It only takes a few years (really not much time at all!), you'll have the rest of your life to study martial arts.

Answer 3

Than is correct.

What ever style of martial art you learn, the only way anyone can be considered good enough to teach is because of their discipline. Discipline should be reflected in every aspect of your life. Not just in Martial arts. You quit school shows that you have no discipline. Life isn't all fun and games, self sacrifice and perseverance is the hall mark of anyone who practices martial arts, no matter what style they train in. You wanting to quite something that is hard, to play and take what seems to be an easier road will only turn to your ruin. There are many martial arts schools open all over the country. Some instructors are good some are bad... whether good or bad, it is usually a poor way to make a living. Stay in school get an education, get a job that someone would want to pay you for. If you don't have a proven track record, IE.. ex MMA athletes, retired-police and military martial arts instructors... there are a lot of people who have the training and a background who want to open schools that you'll be competing with. If you don't have the life experiences to back up your teaching you'll be at a sever disadvantage competing against the professionals. If you plan on using the good name of a teacher that you've trained under... It is proper etiquette for you to first get their permission, your instructor must be OK with you teaching before you use their good name to open your own school.

Answer 4

First of all, to study as much as possible would actually require you to dedicate yourself to one art and practice it as much as possible. If you divide your time between different arts your skill will definitely be lacking.



Why did you go to college in the first place, were you getting a major for a specific career in mind?



As far as making money and a career in martial arts, I believe you basically have the choice between professional fighting for money and endorsements. Or teaching martial arts, running your own school and charging for private lessons.





You have to figure it will take at least a few years before you can teach or fight for money.So in the meantime you'll be getting a dead-end job. But isn't that exactly what you'd be doing before you get your major anyways?



These are simply the facts, nobody can really answer this question as it is a personal decision.

Answer 5

I believe that statement is directed at people who have no prior knowledge or training in martial arts. If you're just starting out from scratch and have no basic foundation on which to build your skills on, then learning two completely different set of skills at the same time is a bad idea. It's like learning to walk and ride a bike at the same time or studying to be a doctor and a lawyer at the same time. You might be able to do okay or juggle the schedule at the beginning, but when you start progressing in training and it gets harder, sooner or later, something's gotta give and your training in both arts will suffer for it. I'm not saying it's impossible, it's just not advisable.

Answer 6

It is one of the worst choices in your life to quit school. If I were you, I would make every effort to finish school. Once you've finished high school, the world will open up. I know what you mean about a passion for martial arts. You could go to college while continuing your knowledge of martial arts and get a degree in teaching or business. From there you could become an instructor (teaching degree) or open up your own dojo (business degree)! I myself have 3 third degree black belts (Hae San Tae-Kwon-Do, Kempo Karate, and Brazilian Jujitsu) and I am only 17 years old! So I plan on learning as much as I can up until my last year of school (this year) and I will create my own unique martial art. That is my goal. I wish you luck with your martial arts.

Answer 7

You need an education so finish school. I have known many people that thought they could run out and open schools or pursue careers in martial arts. Some of them left college and eventually they never made it because they couldn't get a good paying career job or they did not have the education to understand how to run the business side of a dojo.



Finish college first then pursue whatever you want to but you have to have an education anymore to even get a job. No one wants to hire a quitter....especially those who dropped out of college for no good reason.

Answer 8

Well you got a lot of aspects to look at:



1. One major hurdler is do you have the heart for it? Martial Arts are an all or nothing thing that you have to devote yourself to wholly, without any second thoughts, if you want to become the best at what your doing. You have to be very disciplined and your diet is a major factor. Plus it's not easy. You will get injuries in training and there will be times when you hurt and do not want to go on, but you have to push yourself.



2. You also have to think what your going to do with these martial arts. Do you want to compete in tournaments and competitions? Or is it just for you learning and then passing it on and teaching someone else after many years of study?



3. Do you plan on entering Mixed Martial Arts/MMA? Where u need to know and be versed in many different styles. Some of the most practical fighting styles being Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Muy Thai, Greco Roman Wrestling, and Boxing. These are top tier fighting styles that have been shown to transfer over to real fights better than many other mainstream fighting styles. However, it largely depends on who is teaching you. Many true Martial Arts masters will train you for years and you may still only have achieved a low belt, but this quality teaching would let you beat any black belt person who earned it at a neightborhood karate school where they hand them out like candy. It is much harder to compete in MMA, because most competitors are skilled in many different disciplines and you are fighting in the most realistic format possible.



A little note :Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is the biggest professional Mixed Martial Arts organization out there. Hopefully you know of it :)



4. If you cannot financially afford this you will have a problem. You would need a job, but many people have managed to work and train just fine. It's all about balance in your life.





Hope this helped you out. Remember before training under anyone do your research, get to know their credentials to make sure they are giving you quality training. if you want to talk more email me at [e-mail]

Answer 9

No, finish school and get a good career. Study martial arts when you can, but don't give everything up for them. You will have plenty of time to study martial arts when you're done with school.

Answer 10

Yes, it's a bad idea of monumental proportions. Just studying MA doesn't put food on your table, clothing on your back, or a roof over your head. If you're not eating or being properly sheltered, your health will suffer as will your art.



Study Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs and you'll see that these physiological needs must be satisfied before you can tackle the higher needs that MA will provide.

Answer 11

How are you going to pay for lessons when you don't have a job? The more school you have, the better job you can get. Finish college, get a good job, then find a martial arts school.

Answer 12

Never give up college. I was in the Navy for four years, got out and went to college and earned by B.A. in '84. Man was college a great experience and having that degree has been an advantage in my adult life (50+ years old). So I do have a basis of comparison. Do not give up college - get that 4 year degree.

Answer 13

Finish college first.

Then establish a means of income in order to finance your study.



If you don't have the staying power to finish school, what makes you think that you will have the staying power to do an in depth (possibly lifelong) study of something you don't know anything about?

Answer 14

If you don't have the discipline to finish school you don't have the discipline to be a serious martial artist. Case closed.

Answer 15

Yes. It's a bad idea. Ask any good actor or musician and they'll tell you the same thing. Never completely give up your day job.

Answer 16

yeah cause this is your time to get your education done. than you got ur entire life to master the martial arts once your set. on top of that you can pay for it urself with your own money

Answer 17

If you finish school you'll be able to afford the tuition at better dojos. Otherwise mommy and daddy will have to continue to pay for everything for your unrealistic butt.



Grow up kid.