mental troubles

navy2016

5-Year Member
Joined
Dec 30, 2009
Messages
609
I wanted to attend USNA.
I feel like that is where I want to go and belong.

I am not feeling like I made the wrong choice choosing USNA

but.....
I constantly get this feeling of I have x days left to live............days till I-day
I often don't care about this/that
I often get stressed out over things.

Socially, I feel like I should not care too much about my classmates now (I tolerated them for 4 years, never developed actual hate but never really gotten close to them) since USNA will provide me with some real classmates.

I even noticed how rude I am at times... I basically take out my stress verbally on others

Is this normal?
Besides fitness, what else should I do to mentally free myself before I-day?
 
It's completely normal to feel that way after sending in the acceptance. For about 3 weeks after I sent mine in I felt frightened, regret, and like renegging. (See thread "Second Thoughts" you'll get a reality check and realize USNA is the place to be).

But listen.. I did some soul searching along with the help of family, friends, and of course others on this forum, and I realized that I belong at the Naval Academy. I got wait-listed last year for a reason.. So the dream would stay alive and I would re-apply this year even though I'm at a civilian college not even doing NROTC, just living a normal college life. Had I not been wait-listed, I probably would have given up that dream. But USNA saw something in me, and kept me obsessed, and they saw something in you too.

Regardless, just relax and stop thinking about how many days you have left. No matter where you were going to go to college, you'd be thinking about "how many days until you left the nest." When I left home for college the first time last summer, I honestly was really down and upset for about a week. It was the first time I was away from my girlfriend and the first time away from home. Things tend to work themselves out and I ended up making a great group of friends and even being involved in fraternity life.

USNA is a big fraternity.. without the parties and with tougher more meaningful and important "hazing." Get excited. Get pumped. This is the most elite institution in the world and you are going there. Stop thinking about what you'll have to do, and start thinking about what you will become. Because once you wrap your head around this, you're going to enjoy it. You wouldn't have applied in the first place and gotten in if you would not enjoy it. Take nothing seriously or personally, give it your all, and most importantly have some fun with it. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and USNA is a great place.

As far as relationships with peers go, hopefully you will make great friends at USNA. As you have heard, the relationships you make last a lifetime. But I will stress this.. Theres no reason to act better than your peers or frustrated/angry at them because you are going to USNA and you want to try harder in school than them. In fact, if that attitude carries over you may have a tough time making friends at USNA. What I'm saying overall is chill out.

You won't regret USNA, and I know you will regret it if you didn't go, just like I would if I renegged.

See you on I-Day :thumb:
 
I feel the same way sometimes. I just try to calm myself whenever I notice I'm getting angry or short with people. I feel bad because my parents probably get the worst of it. Shoot, I got really upset with them today.

Sometimes you just have to let go. I'm probably closer with my actual classmates now than ever before. I'm friendly with everyone. Most of the time, anyway. Sometimes I'm just silent.

I clear my head with long walks. Every single day. Great for thinking. Or not thinking, as the case may be.

It's weird. But then, one day, you'll realize just how special everything and everyone is. You might get frustrated at people who seem to just be tossing all their potential away. I always have to hit myself when I think something like that. Condescension is a horrible attribute. Everyone is at least as good as I am.

I dunno, just gotta stay positive, you know?
 
Based on my internet diagnosis, you exhibit symptoms of Mogo on the Gagogo, a rare ailment thought to have been eradicated in the 1940s. Fortunately, nearly two months remain to effect a cure. Try the following:

1) Get a harmonica or a ukulele and learn to play it.
2) Learn how to tie some sick knots. It will help you win a bet some day.
3) Volunteer at a local nursing home on weekends.
 
2016 - You've achieved a goal and now have too much time to think about what that next step is and what it means. It's natural, most people are afraid of change and your life is about change dramaticly.

Rather than blather on take a look at the following You Tube video: It's the "On that Same Day" speech given by Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus at the Class of 2011 graduation plus the Commencement Speech of Secretary of Defence Gates. The meat of the speech starts about 3:30 minutes in. The Naval Academy is just a brief stop off in you life and career but will provide building blocks for your life that money can't buy. Take a listen and I think it will make you feel reassured you are going to the right place.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0R1M_w-spCE
 
I think it is completely understandable to feel stressed at this point. One huge part of your life is coming to an end and another one is about to start. It doesn't help to know that what awaits you won't be pleasant (Plebe Summer).

If I were you, I'd minimize my time here on the forums. Try to enjoy the normal life while you can and only come here if you have a question and seek answers or help. Constantly reading about problems, difficulties, etc (and I obviously don't know if you do that) can only increase your anxiety.

You mention your current classmates and how USNA will "provide some real classmates". This part actually worries me, because while it's true that you probably have more in common with your future classmates, these classmates are still all individuals with their own personalities, character, good and bad sides. You will not like them all, you may not even care for half of them. My son has/had Mids in his company who didn't seem to be able to make any friends for one reason or another. It is sad, but true. Don't get used to closing yourself off and getting angry at your civilian classmates...you don't want that to carry over to USNA.
 
^^^ ... Or after USNA for that matter. You seem to feel like your going to prison. Cheer up! This is an adventure! Treat it as such and have fun.
 
This is just a minor deviation and lifestyle change. If you are like this now over the academy wait until you have your first child. Now that is the real gamechanger! :shake:
 
The anxiety and everything else you are feeling is totally normal. The fact you are leaving home, entering a new world, and are about to go through a life changing event can be daunting. As mentioned above, take a walk, clear your head, work out, take up yoga, talk to peopole, don't obsess. 99% of candidates who are accepted to USNA have the ability to graduate USNA. You have worked so hard to reach the goal and now you have. Yes, your friends are taking a different path and are probably having alot of fun right now. Join in! Don't do anything stupid, stay in shape, and don't let your grades slip. Yes, you have more in common with your future classmates than the current ones, but that doesn't make them bad people in any way! It makes them kids enjoying their senior year of high school! Give yourself a break and have some fun yourself.
 
Enjoy your moments of thoughtful reflection now, because you won't have even a second to think about things starting on I-Day! :shake:
 
I agree with pretty much all the above. And, oh: from this point forward in your naval career, I'd shy away from labeling your posts with names like "mental troubles" :shake:
 
Your Mental Problems

I wanted to attend USNA.
I feel like that is where I want to go and belong.

I am not feeling like I made the wrong choice choosing USNA

but.....
I constantly get this feeling of I have x days left to live............days till I-day
I often don't care about this/that
I often get stressed out over things.

Socially, I feel like I should not care too much about my classmates now (I tolerated them for 4 years, never developed actual hate but never really gotten close to them) since USNA will provide me with some real classmates.

I even noticed how rude I am at times... I basically take out my stress verbally on others

Is this normal?
Besides fitness, what else should I do to mentally free myself before I-day?


You sound like a real BOZO and have no business attending one of our great academies. I am a career Navy officer and I sure wish I knew your name and candidate number because I would make every effort to get you disqualified and have your appointment revoked. Even if you feel a little bit uneasy about your decision only an idiot would post what you have written. We dont need idiots at USNA or West Point. I hope you change your mind, attned UM and never bother to join any service. We dont either need or want people like you. I am truly ashamed USNA admissions allowed you in the door
 
Why don't we all just ahave a group hug....I've got to be a little sympathetic to RATRAT77. You all have just taken a spot from someone who wants to be where you are, and wants to be a leader of men and women. You will be called on very shortly to make life and death decisions that will affect young people that you are directly responsible for. Either embrace it full speed ahead, or move out of the way.
 
You sound like a real BOZO and have no business attending one of our great academies. I am a career Navy officer and I sure wish I knew your name and candidate number because I would make every effort to get you disqualified and have your appointment revoked. Even if you feel a little bit uneasy about your decision only an idiot would post what you have written. We dont need idiots at USNA or West Point. I hope you change your mind, attned UM and never bother to join any service. We dont either need or want people like you. I am truly ashamed USNA admissions allowed you in the door

I didn't know the great nation of Oblivia had a navy.
 
Yeah good one, laugh it up. Have you ever stood at attention at a memorial service far from home for a 19 year old that you were responsible for. You will owe them your total commitment. Time for a reality check fellas.
 
Yeah good one, laugh it up. Have you ever stood at attention at a memorial service far from home for a 19 year old that you were responsible for. You will owe them your total commitment. Time for a reality check fellas.

Defend RatRat if you like. The bizarre, intemperate and unconstructive remarks from someone who has never before posted under that name suggest to me that he/she he is a troll, a jerk, or both. You are presumptuous to think that current and prospective cadets and their parents are not aware of what may be asked of them.
 
Very Loud With No Reception

You sound like a real BOZO and have no business attending one of our great academies. I am a career Navy officer and I sure wish I knew your name and candidate number because I would make every effort to get you disqualified and have your appointment revoked. Even if you feel a little bit uneasy about your decision only an idiot would post what you have written. We dont need idiots at USNA or West Point. I hope you change your mind, attned UM and never bother to join any service. We dont either need or want people like you. I am truly ashamed USNA admissions allowed you in the door

While I tend to agree with what you are trying to say to this young person, as a former naval officer, I would expect a "career Navy officer", as you describe yourself, to be able to use a tone more suitable and receptive for a 17/18 year old. Is communication skills still a block on fit reps? If it is, yours could use some improvement.
 
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Defend RatRat if you like. The bizarre, intemperate and unconstructive remarks from someone who has never before posted under that name suggest to me that he/she he is a troll, a jerk, or both. You are presumptuous to think that current and prospective cadets and their parents are not aware of what may be asked of them.

Exactly. The original poster only said that he was having some mood swings and didn't feel like himself, but still wants to go to the USNA. He wasn't showing immaturity, if anything he was being mature by admitting his fears and anxiety and knowing that his feelings lately have been irrational. It's normal to have doubts you know. It's a scary thing to leave the nest, especially if the nest was safe and you've been mostly happy there. He hasn't done anything dishonorable, he hasn't bragged he hardly worked for it, or anything. Just a kid who got his dream, and wants a little guidance.

Navy1987, the laugh because I thought EDelahanty's response to the troll's very threatening post was clever. It was not, as you incorrectly assumed, a laugh at the responsibility the poster will have in the future as a leader of men...I'm confused as to how it could possibly seem that way or how the conversation turned that corner...If anyone could please enlighten me on how the original post made it seem like the poster took being an officer lightly and, drunk with immaturity, proclaimed that he knew a great place to stick his future commitment to the lives his young charges? Nothing to joke about, and it wasn't joked about. Or am I missing something here???
 
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