Hey all,
I'm a second year Canadian business student majoring in Finance looking to learn how to trade in the craziness that we call our markets today.  I first started off university in natural resource science, but ended up getting interested in economics instead - even though I had never taken any financial type of courses in high school.  I transferred into business after I took a year off to travel, went to australia and china for a bit of bumming around.  I also began treeplanting in the summers around then; the source of funds for my trading account literally comes from me planting trees by hand in the wilderness.  I get paid by the tree, and it's pretty gnarly work; but it's the best way to make up to a couple grand a week as a student.  I'm looking forward to another season out in the bush planting trees, and hope to expand my trading account into the 5 digit range this summer.  
Honestly, I have no interest in the corporate world or having a career, but I am absolutely fascinated by the mechanics of the financial systems we have today.  Ultimately, my goal is to establish a comfortable lifestyle from the proceeds of my earnings; aka I want to travel and trade. I figure I'll need a 3-4 year learning curve before I see any worthwhile success.  Heck, if I start with $1500 and hit a 20% gain 36 times I'll hit my million 🙂  Interest on that will cover me for life.  I think it's a fun little hobby that might be my golden ticket.  
My main area of interest is technical analysis, i'm definitely overwhelmed by the sheer number of indicators.  I recently started fiddling with stock screens looking for breakout setups but I need to refine my techniques and things to look for.  I've learned basic chart formations but my timing is usually off for entry/exits - I tend to time it better in my virtual accounts, d'oh!  
My account is hurting bad right now, but I'm confident in my current picks to rebound:  i'm in GGP, SRZ and NRGN.  My philosophy on trading at my age is that in order for me to get ahead I have to take some risks, but I've been chunked away slowly but surely these past few months.  I've made a few decent trades, but I'm mad at myself for getting burned chasing the boat numerous times.   Cheers,
-stugatz