Hello from Old Barracks

[honeybadger14]

Hey forum, I'm Matt. I officially became a bonafide VMI cadet on January 22, 2011, and I'm still here, soldiering along. I'd be more than happy to answer questions people might have about life at VMI, [my experiences with and advice for] the Ratline, weightlifting, or defying your parents by going to the "enemy" school..

[pennak]

Originally Posted by honeybadger14

Hey forum, I'm Matt. I officially became a bonafide VMI cadet on January 22, 2011, and I'm still here, soldiering along. I'd be more than happy to answer questions people might have about life at VMI, [my experiences with and advice for] the Ratline, weightlifting, or defying your parents by going to the "enemy" school..

So honeybadger, that makes you a third, right? So how much better is life as a third than life as a rat? They say that Thirds face "the academic ratline." How's it going?

[honeybadger14]

I am indeed a third, and life this year is a whole lot easier than it was last year, in the sense that going from day to day is less stressful. It's impossible to have a bad day when you look outside and see Rats straining (OR NOT STRAINING! ) or sweating in the courtyard. However, the life of a third still can be stressful because the "Academic Ratline," or the "Thirdline" is no myth. Teachers no longer take any pity and drop the slack they cut for Rats. Then there's the fact that there's really no class-specific function to really look forward to; something your class can call their own, like Breakout, Ring Figure, and Graduation.

As my Dyke told me, third class year is supposed to suck, so suck it up and carry on. And that's what I've been trying to do!

[SamAca10]

Originally Posted by honeybadger14

I am indeed a third, and life this year is a whole lot easier than it was last year, in the sense that going from day to day is less stressful. It's impossible to have a bad day when you look outside and see Rats straining (OR NOT STRAINING! ) or sweating in the courtyard. However, the life of a third still can be stressful because the "Academic Ratline," or the "Thirdline" is no myth. Teachers no longer take any pity and drop the slack they cut for Rats. Then there's the fact that there's really no class-specific function to really look forward to; something your class can call their own, like Breakout, Ring Figure, and Graduation.

As my Dyke told me, third class year is supposed to suck, so suck it up and carry on. And that's what I've been trying to do!

Nicely summed! Third Class year makes last year seem like a joke. Just when you think you've climbed over the hill, you discover a bigger and steeper one looming in front of you.

[LineInTheSand]

I remember 3/c being nice.... now.... 2/c year.....hmmm.

[honeybadger14]

Originally Posted by SamAca10

Nicely summed! Third Class year makes last year seem like a joke. Just when you think you've climbed over the hill, you discover a bigger and steeper one looming in front of you.

Amen to that. Ain't no rest for the wicked...anywhere.