Chemistry
- Thread starter USMADAD
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I hate to give academic advice outside the class here on this forum. However, she has great resources to assist her and make the best decision. I know its difficult as a parent trying to find the best path for her being on the outside. I don't want to be rude, but there is not much you can do, its up to your DD to find the solution. I do know many Plebe will be in summer academics programs and do well. WP really does want her to succeed and be the best she can.
Push Hard. Press Forward
Push Hard. Press Forward
Agree that she needs to talk to her academic advisors and other Cadets who have faced this. As a long ago Plebe I can understand struggling. Plebe year at USNA I nearly flunked out. I somehow managed and retook Calc 1 and then caught up with Calc 2 in the summer. During my 3/C year I somehow made the Dant's list. I only tell this to show that Plebe year is hard, but it's not an indicator that she will always struggle. I worked hard every semester, but was never a 4.0 student at USNA. Usually the 2.7-3.0 range which got me a commission in my first pick. Tell her to hang in there and summer school isn't a horrible thing.
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- Sep 27, 2008
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Her brains WILL grow back. She would not be offered summer options if WP didn't want her. Many, many USNA plebes find themselves at summer school taking Calc, Chem, or both. The SAs understand this is a huge transition in depth and intensity of academics mixed in with a hundred other new sources of pressure.
Support her with love and understanding, and trust her to make her way through. It can be hugely unsettling for those who were undoubtedly HS stars, to find out someone gets the C, D or F on exams and grades, and it turns out to be them. She will figure it out, will succeed and find her footing, and her pride and confidence will be fierce.
The "my brains grew back" phrase is a memorable one from a basketball player (I was the officer rep for USNA women's team) who struggled mightily her first two years and spent leave blocks at summer school. Then, a switch flipped, she found her stride, got Dant's List, and sailed smoothly to graduation.
Support her with love and understanding, and trust her to make her way through. It can be hugely unsettling for those who were undoubtedly HS stars, to find out someone gets the C, D or F on exams and grades, and it turns out to be them. She will figure it out, will succeed and find her footing, and her pride and confidence will be fierce.
The "my brains grew back" phrase is a memorable one from a basketball player (I was the officer rep for USNA women's team) who struggled mightily her first two years and spent leave blocks at summer school. Then, a switch flipped, she found her stride, got Dant's List, and sailed smoothly to graduation.
Thanks all - much appreciated. She and we are actually thrilled she was offered the opportunity to take it at a later time. Not as concerned about grades, as I was the path. Did not really expect that dropping a class was even an option. I was just trying to get a feel if this was unusual, so while I'm sure it is not common, it sounds like a great direction and opportunity. Thanks again.
socalfan
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- Feb 26, 2016
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- 146
For the record I've heard Chem referred to as the "plebe killer". Mine is at USNA and was automatically enrolled in extra help for Calc (guessing based on those dreadful online placement tests). He's doing fine but struggling in Chem (something he hasn't had since sophomore year of HS) so he asked, and was switched to, the extra help for Chem. Their advisor can/will help sounds like they have a plan already. She is not alone.