Sophmore year.

Mr13652

5-Year Member
Joined
Jun 8, 2012
Messages
11
So I'm heading into my sophmore year. I just want to know what you think I need to do. Such as, what classes I should take. Clubs I should try to get into. What sports I need to focus on ect ect. I am also a little shy, I have trouble making friends. I'm not weird I just have a hard time walking up to people and talking to them. Will that decrease my chances of making it at Westpoint if I was accepted? As a result of that it might be hard for me to become a club officer (its usually all about popularity) Also I know there are some medical conditions that could prevent you from getting into Westpoint. I would like to know what those conditions are? Thanks guys! The more information you give me the better, I appreciate all of it. I dont know if you can give rep, so if one of you could tell me how I would be happy to give some people rep. THANKS!:thumb:
 
So I'm heading into my sophmore year. I just want to know what you think I need to do. Such as, what classes I should take. Clubs I should try to get into. What sports I need to focus on ect ect. I am also a little shy, I have trouble making friends. I'm not weird I just have a hard time walking up to people and talking to them. Will that decrease my chances of making it at Westpoint if I was accepted? As a result of that it might be hard for me to become a club officer (its usually all about popularity) Also I know there are some medical conditions that could prevent you from getting into Westpoint. I would like to know what those conditions are? Thanks guys! The more information you give me the better, I appreciate all of it. I dont know if you can give rep, so if one of you could tell me how I would be happy to give some people rep. THANKS!:thumb:

I suggest you start by reading the sticky threads at the top of the forum especially this one
http://www.serviceacademyforums.com/showthread.php?t=26838

As far as being shy just remember everyone pulls on their pants one leg at a time. Get over it. Maybe find some opportunities for public speaking. Most people don't bite, or even bark. Work thru some funny stories about your past experiences. Memorize a couple good jokes. Be a good listener. The more your prepared for social interactions the less fear you'll have of them. Invite some people you would like to be friends with to do something with you. Once y'all get talking you'll be surprised how much you have in common.
 
. . . I am also a little shy, I have trouble making friends. I'm not weird I just have a hard time walking up to people and talking to them. . . ..

No man is an island.

I was like you when I was younger and perhaps I haven't changed too much. But I still got into West Point, graduated, and successful professional and personal life.

I don't think making friends is not about "walking up to people an talking to thme." I don't have many friends, but I have a few good friends that will do anything for me.

Person A has 100 "friends" and Person B has 10 "friends." Person A needs a ride. He asks his friends and none of them will give him a ride. Person B needs a ride. He ask his friends and he gets a ride. For me quality is more important than quantity when it comes to friends.

My recommendation is to build your friendship and find friends within your circle. Regardless of a club, sports team, or whatever, participants have a common interest. With the common interest, you build the friendship.

Don't join a club to get elected to be a club official to put it down on your West Point application. Join a club to learn/enjoy/do something productive. In addition, you might make friends or even get elected as a club official.
 
No man is an island.

I was like you when I was younger and perhaps I haven't changed too much. But I still got into West Point, graduated, and successful professional and personal life.

I don't think making friends is not about "walking up to people an talking to thme." I don't have many friends, but I have a few good friends that will do anything for me.

Person A has 100 "friends" and Person B has 10 "friends." Person A needs a ride. He asks his friends and none of them will give him a ride. Person B needs a ride. He ask his friends and he gets a ride. For me quality is more important than quantity when it comes to friends.

My recommendation is to build your friendship and find friends within your circle. Regardless of a club, sports team, or whatever, participants have a common interest. With the common interest, you build the friendship.

Don't join a club to get elected to be a club official to put it down on your West Point application. Join a club to learn/enjoy/do something productive. In addition, you might make friends or even get elected as a club official.

+1
 
The term "a little shy" can mean so many different things. Sometimes it means a person is concerned primarily with their own self, and gives little thought to others, which is a kind of unhealthy selfishness; other times it means they WANT to be involved in other people's lives, but they have low self esteem (perhaps their parents or older siblings criticized them a lot growing up), so they don't even try to engage groups of people socially for fear of rejection; for others, "a little shy" can just mean they do fine with groups when they have to, but prefer to be in a calm place with a book, and maybe 2-3 friends.

So, being "a little shy" might be fine with being an Officer, or it might be an irreconcilable hurdle... depends on what you mean by "a little shy", and what causes the shyness. There IS such a thing as quiet Leadership, but it is not very common.

"I have trouble making friends". This is more concerning to me than being "a little shy". Again, it depends a lot on WHY you have trouble, but if you don't have at least 2-3 close friends who know just about everything about your strengths, weaknesses, preferences, what makes you happy, what you're afraid of, what makes you mad, etc, then that needs a close examination. Being an officer requires being good at following command, and giving command, in groups of people. It isn't necessary that any of them be your "friend", but leadership requires engaging groups of people, or many, many people 1 at a time throughout the day, every day. If this is counter to what charges your batteries, so to speak, then being an Officer may not be a good fit for you in terms of career. There are lots and lots of jobs that require solo work, like research, some types of accounting, etc.
 
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Others have covered the shyness issue, so I will try to respond to your medical question; There is no simple way to tell you what will DQ you medically from USMA. The fact is there are so many factors it is not possible to tell you what might be a problem without your medical history. What you should do is think of issues/surgeries that you have had and research those specifically. In addition, consider your vision, conditions such as asthma, and medications you are taking when researching.
 
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