books on how to survive USNA

navy2016

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Are there any reccomended books for plebes to be on how to survive USNA?
 
Are there any reccomended books for plebes to be on how to survive USNA?

You don't need any books to survive a SA, except the textbooks for classes. Just come here with a willingness to work hard and you'll be fine.

Speaking of books though, don't get Reef Points and try to memorize it before Plebe Summer, because they'll just make you memorize more stuff. One of my classmates had tried to memorize the Running Light and they just gave him more stuff to memorize.
 
You don't need any books to survive a SA, except the textbooks for classes. Just come here with a willingness to work hard and you'll be fine.

Speaking of books though, don't get Reef Points and try to memorize it before Plebe Summer, because they'll just make you memorize more stuff. One of my classmates had tried to memorize the Running Light and they just gave him more stuff to memorize.

Yeah, seriously (and textbooks are optional).

You'll figure it out as you go. That's part of the game.
 
As some have suggested, it seems a HS calc and chem book are each possibly the most substantial and essential.

Ross' book is a good general starter, imo.
 
There is a book called Academic Effectiveness A Manual for Scholastic Success at the United States Naqval Academy by Eric D Bowman that has some great suggestoins for the Academic year that I purchased for my plebe off of ebay or Amazon--I don't recall which one. It may be beneficial.
 
People survived USNA and the other SAs long before there were books on how to do it.:smile:

Like flipping through Reef Points, such books might give you some idea of what things will be like. I would recommend them for people who have not: (1) attended NASS or CVW, and/or (2) don't have a relative or close friend who has attended a SA. IOW, if you have little idea what you're getting into, reading these books before you accept your appointment may prepare you for what to expect and could in turn influence your decision on whether to attend a SA.

If you think these books will actually help you do better at USNA . . . well, I'd be shocked and amazed if they do. Being in good physical shape, listening, maintaining a positive attitude, working well with others, and giving 100% in every activity are all much more likely to result in success than anything else you can do to prepare.
 
My personal opinion, I've overthought and overplanned my whole life. Bet a lot of the people that find themselves interested in service academies have the same problem.

I'm just gonna let go this time.
 
You don't need any books to survive a SA, except the textbooks for classes. Just come here with a willingness to work hard and you'll be fine.

Speaking of books though, don't get Reef Points and try to memorize it before Plebe Summer, because they'll just make you memorize more stuff. One of my classmates had tried to memorize the Running Light and they just gave him more stuff to memorize.

Having a copy of Reef Points and becoming familiar with it DOES help, although, for some reason, it seems to be popular advice to tell candidates to NOT do this.

The key is to not FLAUNT that you've memorized it.

Having said this - NOT having a copy of Reef Points will not hurt you unless you have a very difficult time memorizing things.

Believe me, having a good working knowledge of Reef Points (without necessarily having memorized everything) will make things a bit easier. It won't be the difference between an easy or difficult Plebe Summer, however.

You wait and see - all the NAPSters will not only have a good working knowledge of Reef Points, they will also have gotten the inside gouge as to WHEN you'll have to know WHAT - before you're told what you have to know. A huge advantage!
 
I agree with Memphis. I got the Running Light (CGA's Reef Points) and learned the mission.... which I generally forget when the cadre were in my face.

As Memphis said, there is not need to draw attention to yourself by quickly reciting the information each time, making your classmates look bad.

Cadre will always find a way to overload you, so no worries there. :wink:
 
Agree that reading RP doesn't hurt but not reading it won't hurt either.:smile:

However, if you have extra time on your hands between now and I-Day, it's BEST SPENT GETTING IN GREAT PHYSICAL SHAPE. If you don't have to struggle mightily through PEP, the O-Course and the other physical stuff they throw at you during PS, you will be much happier, much better off, etc. And, in that regard, the best use of your time is spent running.

If you're a great runner, stick with it until I-Day -- don't slack off once organized school sports end in April/May. If you're an average to lousy runner, find a track coach, a personal trainer or someone else who is knowledgable and develop a program NOW. (Yeah, USNA sends you a workout plan which is fine but, which in my opinion is too little too late for people who aren't in pretty good shape when they get it.) The worst runner can make HUGE strides in the next 6 months, which is what you have if you start today. Don't wait for the good weather to come, start now.

And, if you're a terrific runner who can do pushups and crunches for hours on end, then go ahead and start memorizing Reef Points if you really want to but . . . as the above posters said, don't show up your classmates if you do.
 
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