SLS/SLE Advice

navygirl89

5-Year Member
Joined
Nov 27, 2010
Messages
94
Any advice from people that have already done it?

(this thread isn't meant for people to list their acceptances, just for advice from former attendees)

Thanks :biggrin:
 
Any advice from people that have already done it?

(this thread isn't meant for people to list their acceptances, just for advice from former attendees)

Thanks :biggrin:

All I can say is be prepared physically cause you are gonna wake up early and do PT every day (except for Sunday)....oh and try your absolute BEST to stay awake during classes and briefs! There were many people who were having trouble with that when I did it lol. You are gonna have long days...but over all just have fun and make new friends! I'm still in contact with my SLS squad, SL, and PSG after almost 3 years and my roommate is now my best friend, which is amazing. Going to SLS/E is great because by the time you get to R-Day you'll already know people. My roommate and one of my other squad mates went to prep with me (lucky there) and we bonded during Prep Basic. Overall, this will be a great experience for you, I guarantee it. :shake:
 
I'd second ArmyStrong's advice. I still keep in touch with most of my SLS squad, even the people who didn't end up coming here. Just go into it with an open mind and make sure you ask as many questions as possible. The cadre's job is to make sure you're leaving well informed.
 
Be very, VERY prepared to be tired. Getting up at 5 doesn't seem that bad, especially since some of y'all do it for school.

The physical aspect isn't necessarily hard, but it is tiring. Your worse challenge will be staying awake. Get used to sitting down and listening to people talk. And talk. And talk...They'll have SGT's patrolling around keeping cadets awake. You do not want to be caught asleep. (Unfortunately, I fell asleep when the Dean came out. However, I can play a mean "i'm-awake-just-leaning-my-head-over" position.)

However, it is fun. Pick the classes you will want to take up there. You get to do stuff few others can.
Know your squad mates. Unfortunately, I couldn't maintain contact (got rid of FB because of school), but the time with them is amazing. My patrol leader's were great, and I still remember it like it was yesterday.
Have fun! Relax a bit and just take in the entire experience. The first few days will suck, I feel like. I was at the point where I was questioning my sanity. Again. You will be very, very tired. However, you come to learn to love it.

Don't expect it to be top-notch. The first day they scare you, but you cruise it afterwards. Your entire day is planned out for you, so don't bother texting until you get to bed.

Train, train, train for that CFA. This is the best time for it; no paper work for you!

Hope this helps:thumb:
 
Take classes that really interest you, because you will be in them for 4 hours each day. PT is not bad, but train for the CFA hardcore. I trained, but I messed up on pull ups when I was there and failed the whole test. Failing the CFA just makes the rest of that day bad so try to pass so that aspect of your file is done and you don't have to do what I did and go back home and try to contact your P.E. teacher during the summer. Act well in front of your squad leader since he makes an assessment of you and grades you. Don't do what a kid in my platoon did and tell the platoon leader that he wanted to watch her undress, because it was fortunate for him he wasn't sent home, but he probably lost points on his interview, impeding his process of an appointment. In conclusion, just have fun. Only half of the normal amount of juniors will be there, so feel good knowing you are in the upper majority and remain confident in yourself and your actions the whole week. Know this is only the start to a long process. Get ready! :biggrin:
 
More importantly......

Have Fun! Ask question about the history and landmarks around the post.


Push Hard, Press Forward
 
I'd personally recommend picking classes you'd be interested in pursuing at the academy (I hope those are the ones you enjoy, but whatever floats your boat). You can get a lot of really valuable information about how different majors work, especially if you are interested in things that you can't seem to get a lot of info on.

Take lots of notes. You'll be given half a dozen different briefings from some people who have very important things to say, especially in regards to how your senior year will work as an applicant. They were invaluable to my admissions process. Also, if anything particularly poetic or interesting strikes you, jot it down. You might be able to use it in your essays in the application.

Always take food at meals. They feed you well (and with great food!), but if your used to snacks, you'll get hungry. You can always grab a piece of fruit and maybe the desert if it is wrapped and save it for later.

DON'T TAKE IT TOO SERIOUSLY! The first day or two, I thought it was some huge competition where I was trying to prove myself to be the best of the best. Most of these people are just like you: very talented and terrified that they're finally at their dream school. Be a team player, and talk to everyone. Each of your squad members will bring something new and interesting to the table, make sure you can get to have a conversation with all of them, regardless of how withdrawn you might want to be.

Finally, kick butt in dodge ball. Best team-building exercise ever.
 
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SLS was the best week of my life, sooo much fun. Yes it is super tiring. And start training for that CFA NOW! Everday do all of the exercises for the CFA. Only repetition will maximize your scores. Oh and when they send you the packing list, bring extra everything for clothes. You get very sweaty and dirty all the time.
 
Oh and when they send you the packing list, bring extra everything for clothes. You get very sweaty and dirty all the time.

Agreed. By the third day, my roommates and I were washing our stuff in the sink to make sure we didn't wear the same stinky t-shirts the rest of the week.
 
Agreed. By the third day, my roommates and I were washing our stuff in the sink to make sure we didn't wear the same stinky t-shirts the rest of the week.

Did this too :) Bring laundry detergent!
And prepare for the CFA. Everyone else is right, this is by far the easiest way to get it out of the way.
 
Why would you post this on two different threads? The food isn't bad. It is just what one could expect at a college, except that they bring the food to you at your table. It certainly isn't as bad as some people say.
 
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