ABSTRACT
In the same way that Day One is a shock, Year One continues with a succession of more shocks. On top of this is the added complication of actually having to get good grades. This chapter is not about how to achieve those grades, though; achieving them is assumed. The authors discuss a number of stratagems and practices that can assist the student in this regard, including advice on how to deal with procrastination, joining game development teams outside of classwork, signing up for as many game jams as possible, and joining game clubs and any local chapters of the International Game Developers Association. The chapter additionally discusses other peripheral activities that a student could be doing in order to maintain a balanced education and to gain a greater depth of knowledge about their chosen career. The chapter concludes with a discussion about the potential dangers of becoming overwhelmed (“burnout”) and offers some advice on how to deal with it.
