CurrentMid's description is on target. Now, what to do about it? Following advice comes from comments made by my 2/C who is an MGSP tutor.
Things your Plebe can & should do about it (in addition to previous postings in this thread):
- If they don't know what MGSP stands for, they should! It's Midshipman Group Study Program, which is available over and above EI with the professor. At least for chemistry, study sections are available for each professor's classes, and there is usually at least one "floating" session for those who can't make it to the "assigned" session.
- Find out who the company "experts" are in the holdup classes. Go and ask them for help. This is one time when the upper class can be a Plebe's best friend. They've already started upper level coursework in their majors, so they aren't just one step ahead in the problem classes.
- Repeat of earlier advice: take full advantage of EI. If a prof has a Mid who is UNSAT or borderline, one consideration of Academic boards is whether the person made full use of the resources available. One of DD's friends met one of her profs on Sunday AM for help - really.
How can a Plebe (or any other Mid) get more out of EI/MGSP or other help?
- Go in prepared to be helped. Some Plebes come to DD with general questions/comments like, "I just don't get it," in reference to an entire chapter/homework set. While he/she might feel that way, it takes a lot of time for someone to help clarify exactly what the person does/doesn't understand, and that's time that an upperclass Mid just doesn't have. Remember, upper level classes are harder, and many upperclass Mids take a heavier load than Plebes. They also all have leadership responsibilities that Plebes don't have. So....go in to EI or other help session with a set of specific questions.
- Do all of the homework/other assignment that you can before meeting, and take your notes/assignments with you. This will help you focus on your problem areas.
- Do NOT wait until the last minute for help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Get help EVERY time you don't fully understand a lecture/homework. Asking for help only in the week of exams puts you into "cram" mode, AND it takes exam prep time from your favorite upperclass Mid. Once, you can get away with it, but at 12 week exams, they're not going to be too happy if you didn't learn from 6 weeks!
As a parent, I suggest that a fellow parent's two roles are first, to provide support and encouragement to your Mid, and second, to make sure that they are making use of the tools and support USNA provides. That's it. That's all we can (or IMO, should) do. Academics are part of the job they signed up for on I-day, and every Mid there CAN do the job. A friend who is a USNA grad once told me that he spent nearly all 4 years UNSAT or just barely above, but he made it through.
BTW, DD's comment about sleep during her Plebe year (and even more now) was, "Sleep is highly over-rated!"