- Joined
- Feb 2, 2008
- Messages
- 3,059
It's coming up fast. Citadel is 8/13; VMI is 8/20, Norwich is 8/21; Mass Maritime is 8/20; NY Maritime is 8/14 (and I'm not sure about Texas A&M or Va Tech). But in all cases it's rolling in fast in a very hot summer.
you should all have received pretty detailed matriculation packages, with lists of items to bring and places to be. My advice:
- Follow the checklist and bring the items they tell you to bring
- Go do your PT, but don't kill yourself trying to cram 4 months - of PT into one week;
- Don't use your last week to break in new shoes (unless you don't have any then be careful),
- Don't go out and shave your head etc... They will do it for you if that is the plan. Just show up looking presentable.
- Do take care of last minute stuff at home and enjoy your last few days with your family and home town buddies. The next time they see you, you will look different and think a little differently too!
Mom & Dad: Don't sweat it. Be proud of them, be supportive but also don't give them a ready made waffle. IMHO- you need to make sure that they go wanting to be there, but then once they are, you should reinforce that they need to be there long enough to learn something about themselves and the school: ie... don't tell them "if you don't like it just call". Personally- they should be making a commitment to make it thru the rough times and then deciding whether that school is for them. It's 99.44% mental- so buck them up before they show up for matriculation. They can make it (and you can too).
This is Corny but true anyway:
BTW- if you are going to VMI- the Website changed a lot this week: here is the link to the matriculation information page: http://www.vmi.edu/content.aspx?id=7353
So- good luck and HANG IN THERE. I expect to see all of you thrilling your parents on parents weekend with stories while they are awestruck at how good looking you are in your uniform parading for them!
you should all have received pretty detailed matriculation packages, with lists of items to bring and places to be. My advice:
- Follow the checklist and bring the items they tell you to bring
- Go do your PT, but don't kill yourself trying to cram 4 months - of PT into one week;
- Don't use your last week to break in new shoes (unless you don't have any then be careful),
- Don't go out and shave your head etc... They will do it for you if that is the plan. Just show up looking presentable.
- Do take care of last minute stuff at home and enjoy your last few days with your family and home town buddies. The next time they see you, you will look different and think a little differently too!
Mom & Dad: Don't sweat it. Be proud of them, be supportive but also don't give them a ready made waffle. IMHO- you need to make sure that they go wanting to be there, but then once they are, you should reinforce that they need to be there long enough to learn something about themselves and the school: ie... don't tell them "if you don't like it just call". Personally- they should be making a commitment to make it thru the rough times and then deciding whether that school is for them. It's 99.44% mental- so buck them up before they show up for matriculation. They can make it (and you can too).
This is Corny but true anyway:
When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit-
Rest if you must, but don't you quit.
Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a fellow turns about
When he might have won had he stuck it out.
Don't give up though the pace seems slow -
You may succeed with another blow.
Often the goal is nearer than
It seems to a faint and faltering man;
Often the struggler has given up
When he might have captured the victor's cup;
And he learned too late when the night came down,
How close he was to the golden crown.
Success is failure turned inside out -
The silver tint in the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It might be near when it seems afar;
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit -
It's when things seem worst that you must not quit.
BTW- if you are going to VMI- the Website changed a lot this week: here is the link to the matriculation information page: http://www.vmi.edu/content.aspx?id=7353
So- good luck and HANG IN THERE. I expect to see all of you thrilling your parents on parents weekend with stories while they are awestruck at how good looking you are in your uniform parading for them!