Samsara, I think I'm getting a good grasp on equties. I believe by the time I get out of school I should get a decent position in a firm and not have much trouble learning. But my focus is on other exotic things. I like derivatives. I took a course in Derivatives pricing and it turned out to be boring long calculations and deriving the BS BS formula. (First BS for bullshit, the second one for Black Scholes). We had two pages on notes on a few trading stragies....and period! I can't see how in today's sophisticated markets, one could rely on the BS formula. Especially since everyone has access to it in freakin EXCEL! So I've decided to quit an academic career as a quant. instead I wanna focus on using these models developed by quants. Investment banking seems a lot of hours for the same pay as a trader (can someone confirm that?). except traders i heard go through more stress in that short time. So anyways, my focus is derivatives and forex and futures- diversifying. And I need to start shorting. I've lost more than gained and I'm happy I see it as a positive sign. I can;t believe I'm learning so much. Especially when aftermarket hours are also being more liquid one cannot afford to be an investor like buffett- buy and hold. I'd rather be a Pirhana than a Whale. We need to acknowledge that these are fast times. Like someone posted in a nother thread- even buffett trades currencies and is betting the USD will go down. And totally agree with eminitrader and Jhalincha's posts. Ghati heri haad nilnuparcha. But then again, if you're young like me- i say go for it. If you lose everything you have, go back to McDonalds and Best Buy, work it off before you leave school and get back at it again. Don't quit. Trader's aren't born- they're made. A good example? Chrles Schwab- he couldn;t even read properly when he was young. And look at him now- need I say more? "Life's either a daring adventure or nothing"- Helen Keller. I live every trading day by that motto! KI KASO????