You can probably continue training karate in college. Most schools have some type of self defense training, Often it is karate. Even if your school does not offer karate there is usually a dojo located not too far away.

The belt system varies from place to place. Basically you have you kyu ranks. That is everything below you Dan rank (black Belt). Then you have you Dan ranks. That is every black belt rank for 1st to 10th Dan.

I can't tell you what karate is like. You need to visit the school as every school or instructor can and do thing differently. If it is a traditional school you should learn kicks, punches, elbow strikes, knee strikes, forearm, etc. You should learn chokes, joint locks, traps. You should learn pressure point strikes and vital strikes. You should learn weapon defense and disarms. Should learn strategies to defend against multiple attackers.

In a sports karate place you probable won't get all of those things. Many school teach both the sports karate and mix some Traditional/self defense in too. But often those schools IMO do not do enough of the self defense.

Yes sometimes simple is better kickboxing or muai Thai karate an taekwondo is something that takes time if you want self defence try aikido Steven segals art or krav maga close quarters combat style

If your looking for more of the self defense aspect and less of the sport. Go for Kenpo karate. I take Kenpo wing chun it's great it really boosted my confidence when it comes to fighting look into American Kenpo

Look into more kinds, as there are lots of them and some are faster to learn as well as more effective. Karate is more sport these days and this isn't what will help you.

If your just going to do it for a year, I'd take up boxing or kickboxing and learn to hit $%#$%#@ hard., and learn the nut kick as well on your own.

Hi, I am a senior in high school and looking into karate. My goal is to learn a lot of self defense. Being a tall, skinnier guy, I don't feel extremely confident in my chances of winning a fight if I am ever in the situation. Could anyone give me some info on what karate is really like, how time consuming it is, and how the belt system works?

If I do start karate, I will only be doing it for about a year before I go off to college.

Thanks a lot!