Someone is going to get the C, D and F grades in classes. Across the SAs, cadets and mids who were the big academic frogs in their smaller ponds are now in a larger pond filled with fellow frogs with like stellar backgrounds.
Some who had an easy time in HS don’t learn fast enough how to ramp up their study discipline. Some don’t go to prof’s EI or office hours, informal peer tutoring sessions or ask for help until it’s too late, because they are so taken aback by their unfamiliar place at the bottom of the heap. Some are paralyzed by the endless grind and pressure, and don’t have the coping skills. If they are perfectionists, they have to learn how to optimize and go with the flow. Some get distracted by roommate drama or other issues, and don’t have the skills to block that out or coach themselves through down periods. Some may spread themselves too thin in ECAs, because that’s what they did in HS, and they haven’t re-balanced their time investment. Some don’t realize they might actually have to work on weekends to stay current. Some, sadly, let themselves self-destruct in academics, performance or conduct, so they don’t have to make the decision to leave, it’s someone else’s decision.
There is a lot of help available, formal and informal, for every area of challenge, including counseling. If your cadet calls home and says he or she is struggling with X, express your confidence, ask what their plan is to recover, get help, prioritize. A B is fine, really! Take the C, run with it, vow to recover! D or F, bury the pride, get help, cut out social media, budget love life and fun stuff, focus on life’s basics - food, water, sleep, academic/physical/military requirements.