The tasks that they accomplish as Rats.. whether it is a perfect shine on their brass, a room inspection without many demerits, or getting an A on that test after pulling guard duty in the middle of the night... They are all beyond what the average kid even attempts. They are in college... A tough college that starts with a bang then becomes an endurance run where every little goal reached along the way is such a confidence builder.. they survived Hell Week. They have learned so many rules, regs, chains of command, how to eat, make your bed, fold your underwear,talk, walk, and pretty much breath in in the appropriate manner. They will appreciate their Dykes and computers immensely not to mention the appeal of classes starting. It is someting normal in their lives..The academic buildings are where they don't get yelled at...(this is very conducive to promoting good study habits) and they generally like leaving barracks to go to class. Just keep reminding your Rats.. Study first.. shine last.. Demerits are a pain to march off etc, but you don't flunk out or have to pay $$ for extra summer school because your shoes aren't shiny. DS struggled with balance... He considered himself a "good Rat". No academic probation or anything but he had to repeat Calc and had to take a few summer classes to get himself back on track.. 6k worth of "But I'm a good rat".....As I wrote the checks and worked the OT this summer.. that's all I could think of.."But I'm a good Rat"..
Part of that was due to changing his major too so I didnt flip my lid over it, but now admittedly, he would have done a few things differently.
All in all, your DS/DD's will find out a lot about themselves. They will realize that they can work harder than they thought they ever could, and they begin to really care about others more..Their BR's have their back and its is reciprocal. If you get the opportunity to take a BR to dinner who doesn't have a parent there, or let them crash in your room with your DS, not only is it the appropriate thing to do if you can, it is also a great way to hear MORE of what is going on in their world. When DS is alone with us it seems like we are prying by asking questions.. If a BR is along.. we just listen to them and learn a lot more. Also if you can feed an extra Rat or two.. don't worry if feeding a few more means a downgrade in the restaurant...THEY WILL LOVE U.. and the FOOD.