Hey! Congrats on your first semester! What was the most challenging part of your first semester? What has been the most rewarding?
For the most part it's just visiting friends in company area, and sometimes others you know around USMA. You have to be in the barracks from 1930-2230 for Evening Study Period, so it's also a great opportunity to catch up with friends. Be social- don't be that kid who stays solely in their room and doesn't talk to people. The key to staying upbeat is making friends and connections, especially with those in your company.
Most challenging was probably getting into the groove of all the work. At college last year, we could miss class if we didn't feel that well or had something else going on, and I had ample time to get everything done. USMA purposefully overworks you to test and build your time management skills. It's a struggle for everyone at first but people find their own routines and you adapt. Most rewarding is probably the effect of that, when I finish my work, I know that I accomplished something meaningful (most of the time).
Thanks for the information and best of luck finishing out your year!
Cadets and the janitor, but mostly the janitor.
Really interesting. It was nice seeing all the Firsties come back that night with excitement about their branches. Also, being a plebe on Branch Night.... having fun with some Firstie rooms was a plus. Tons of fun, and we helped clean them up the next day if the Firsties wanted it.
Whoa.
Yeah I would say about six hours is average, midnight to 6am. People get more and people get less, but I usually get around 6-7 and it keeps me going. We have to get up a bit earlier than the upperclassmen for plebe duties in the morning.
Sounds good, thanks! Good luck on your future studies/endeavors at West Point
Are cadets able to use tablets to take notes in class?
Depends very much on your instructor but for the most part, yes. Especially in engineering classes, a tablet is a must-have.