And even better - don't forget them when they are 3rd's as that is worse than being a Rat.
Everyone loves a Rat. Everyone hates a 3rd. Save some love for your 3rd to be.
I know a lot of people say that, but I found being a Third way superior to being a Rat.
No Cadre, no dykes, a chance to do extracurriculars and focus on your classes; it's much better than being a Rat. Your BRs still like you even if everyone else thinks you eat sh#t. Yeah, picking your hay up from the courtyard after a class check-form sucks, but I'll put up with that over straining any day! You usually got to give a sweat party after it, too (and it is better to give one of those than receive it).
Being a Second was the best, though. None of the stress of being the class in charge of Barracks (but decent leadership roles available), one last summer to look forward to (I went to Oxford), and you get your ring and a bit of respect from above and below. Very close to your BRs that year.
First Class year-while nice to have all the weekends-had the issues of dealing with Rats and of waiting for the long slog to finally end. A few always get huge egos by that time, and it can be more divisive. I just wanted to get the hell out of Dodge for most of that year. Other people's experiences vary, I'm sure.
I think the Rat Bible used to have something comparing the four years to Shakespearean works:
Rat Year: The Tempest
Third: Much Ado about Nothing
Second: A Midsummer Night's Dream
First: All's Well That Ends Well
I might have screwed it up, but it was something like that.