Preparing for the plebe year?

What I tell my Candidates ....Get in shape ! Run, sit-ups, push ups etc. There are two aspects to Plebe Summer -- one physical, one mental. You can't prepare for the mental game (f0rget getting a copy of Reef Points and trying to memorize it early), but you can control the physical game. If you are in great shape, you eliminate some of the stress of plebe summer.
 
Do not worry if you can't attend Army Navy. Agree it is great to attend at least one, but it is expensive coming from the other coast. I was a west coast kid and my parents came for PPW, Herndon, 1/C Parents Weekend (it used to be then not 2/C year), and commissioning. They also made the trip for one Army Navy basketball game. They also caught all my west coast games and another week we managed to have 3 home games in the same week, they made it to all those. I think Youngster year is a great one to attend Army Navy. Here is my theory on that... As a Plebe they don't always know if they have a weekend and I believe they are relegated to riding the bus. So unless you start in Annapolis then drive to Philly (or its hosted in Baltimore), you have a drive or won't see them. 1/C and 2/C they all have cars, hotels, most can drink and have big plans with their friends. Although its always nice to see Mom and Dad, don't be surprised if you get ditched for them to hang out with buddies. As Youngsters they usually can catch a ride, but have less freedom, no cars, mostly still in uniform and most can't drink yet, but most will have a weekend. I think my best friend rode the train up to Philly to meet his family on Friday, went to Army Navy and then rode the train back Sunday after spending the weekend with their parents. So more time to visit with them, without them fully ditching you for their buddies.
 
The operative word here is "some" and...there are not "many" e.g. an English, Psychology, one or two more. Math is not one of them. It IS on the web site will show what requirements are necessary to attempt validation of classes.

That must have changed, unless I misunderstand? My mid (class of 2018) validated both Calcs, chemistry, statistics, Spanish and history I think. I believe Physics is one he could not validate, regardless of AP score.

And to the parent who asked about running shoes-Yes, you can and definitely should bring your own, broken-in pair. I'm pretty sure my mid brought 2 pairs as well as his own compression
shorts with him on IDay. And to echo other posters here, definitely run. Shin splints are no joke and I recall my son telling me how it really was a problem for more than a few mids during his plebe summer.
 
That must have changed, unless I misunderstand? My mid (class of 2018) validated both Calcs, chemistry, statistics, Spanish and history I think. I believe Physics is one he could not validate, regardless of AP score.

Perhaps we're saying the same thing. I'm sure your MID did but did so by validation testing as noted here (https://www.usna.edu/Academics/Candidate-Information/Course-Validation-Policy.php) rather than what was suggested by the OP that many of these were "validated" by merely having high AP scores which is not (with a couple of exceptions noted in the link) accurate.
 
Did anyone mention running......? I can't recall.

gw-impacts-sea-level-rise-military-naval-academy-troops-running.jpg
 
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On the theory that there are no "dumb" questions: Being from California and not having excessive time off from work, (nor an overflowing bank account) how do "most" parents handle I-Day v. Parents' weekend? I will be out of the country on I-Day and knew this going into it that this might be a possibility. I had thought I'd go to Parents' weekend only, but everyone keeps saying, "See you on I-Day". I realize the struggle will be like this for the next 4 years, but just looking for ideas from other long-distance parents. Thanks in advance. (If this should go on another thread, please feel free to re-route me).

Money is ----money, some times you just have to adjust around it if you can't go you can't go. With that said, I have this input addressing "The Possible"

I'm going to assume your DS/DD is a fairly normal 17-18-19 year old, leaving home for the first significant period of time.

The best analogy I can think of at the moment is a kid learning to swim. This kid is exceptional, he/she has chosen against the standard course of lessons at the community pool. No beginning in the warm shallow end and advancing over weeks to swimming the length of the pool. Nope, this kid has chosen to jump off a dock into dark cold water of a lake where he/she can't touch bottom. This swim course the kid picked doesn't allow them to reach back toward the dock after they jump in either. Instead, the kid has to swim alone 50 yards out into the water to a floating platform where (if they make it) you are allowed to await their arrival with congratulations.

So what do you and the kid get out of walking them to the end of the dock?

You don't get much time with your kid at I-Day, and my daughter had very little to offer by way of interaction in the short time we did have with her. That's OK, I think you are there at I-Day to bear witness to the jump off the dock. You're there to support the kid up to the instant before the jump; and to share that last moment of being Dad or Mom to a child, (the changes come real fast and at great distance---he/she will be less a child by PPW). Speaking just for myself, attendance at I-Day was meant to show my daughter that her Mom and I would follow her as far as we possibly could to support her; that we were proud of her and that we envied the journey she had in front of her. ITS A ROUGH DAY, but it is a unique day that will never happen again; I am more a "Dad" than a "Daddy" now.

PPW is more about success, celebration, and anticipation of the school year. I got to see my kid again, celebrate her successful swim through Plebe Summer to the floating platform. It’s a good weekend and you get to spend time together. In our case mostly spent in the hotel room watching movies and an impractical jokers marathon.

Great time, not to be missed, but for me the memories of I-Day are much stronger.

I-Day Waiting in line in the morning wasn't much and the kid is gone all day (you don't see them),--------- but just those 30mins on the lawn before marching into Bancroft are just burned into my memory. I can see her holding herself together until she was alone with Mom and then bursting into tears. She didn't feel sorry for herself, or regrets, she wasn't frightened, it was just the enormity of the 'step function' change in her life that overwhelmed her. I clearly remember her standing in ranks to march into Bancroft; she kept stealing glances back at her Mom and I, looking like she was getting on a flight to Mars and would never see us again.

I remember looking at her there in ranks with all her classmates "eyes forward" waiting to march into Bancroft worried about how she'd do over the next 6 weeks. A young woman behind her was doing a great job of looking stoic, but she was let go a barely audible whimper. With all those Plebes locked eyes forward around her nobody moved, silence waiting for the order to march, then----MY KID--- turns to look back and reaches out to touch this girl on the arm and smiles, ("I see you shipmate, we are in this together"). I was so proud of her, and I will have that memory forever. I don't know what other parents remember from I-Day, and its just a day or two of anticipation followed by those 30 short minutes-------but that son/daughter will never "jump off a dock" as that little kid again.

As crappy as parts of it are, I'd choose I-Day, not for what you get to do, but for what it means. That said, I wouldn't choose. If I absolutely couldn't go I Day, I'd spread the experience around. Send an older sibling, a grandparent, a favorite uncle, make your significant-other go solo, split up I-Day and PPW (one parent to each)---- whoever accompanies DD/DS to IDay gets to have the bond of being there to support and witness "the jump off the dock" for what will be a world class swimmer (hell, ask Me to go!!).

Other stuff:

  • I found that I got to meet more plebe parents in the 1.5 days in Annapolis before I-Day than on PPW. Amazing kids usually have amazing parents. I-Day and meeting other plebe parents was the thing that finally got my wife fully on board with the USNA experience.

  • If you can't swing a family escort to I Day for your kid. RIGHT NOW, find your local USNA Parents Association, attend their next meeting (there should be lots going on right about now) and let them know that your DD/DS will be going to I-Day solo. Ask that someone get your plebe a sandwich for those 30mins at the end of the day and a place for your DD/DS to sit, to be with someone, and hand her a cell phone to call you------you will be overwhelmed with volunteers, (BTW don't be too concerned about anything she says, It's not real life those first few days)
 
From a parents point of view, the lack of communication with our Plebe was difficult. It seemed like our summer revolved around phone call days, writing letters and "finding Waldo" on the photo sites. The Plebe families from our area bonded quickly (dinners etc) so the Plebes had friends going in and the parents have a support group that remains today (life long I'm sure). The USNA family support is amazing. I agree with the posts about the importance of attending PPW. We have also enjoyed three day weekends and getting our Plebe and his roommates off the yard. Getting out of uniform and away from upperclassmen allows them to relax. The Army/Navy game was great, but it's not an event I would attend yearly. Listen to your Plebe, and be flexible, Semper Gumby. Our Plebe normally just wants to hang out and normally naps a lot. We don't make a lot of plans, and keep thing low key.
 
From a parents point of view, the lack of communication with our Plebe was difficult. It seemed like our summer revolved around phone call days, writing letters and "finding Waldo" on the photo sites. The Plebe families from our area bonded quickly (dinners etc) so the Plebes had friends going in and the parents have a support group that remains today (life long I'm sure). The USNA family support is amazing. I agree with the posts about the importance of attending PPW. We have also enjoyed three day weekends and getting our Plebe and his roommates off the yard. Getting out of uniform and away from upperclassmen allows them to relax. The Army/Navy game was great, but it's not an event I would attend yearly. Listen to your Plebe, and be flexible, Semper Gumby. Our Plebe normally just wants to hang out and normally naps a lot. We don't make a lot of plans, and keep thing low key.
Would someone please explain what plebe hack is?
 
Before she goes, have her break in two pairs of running shoes. Take one pair with her to I-day, the second pair can be mailed as a backup after a few weeks if needed. The humidity in Annapolis is incredible-the closest comparison I can think of would be if someone went to their local gym and spent an entire week living in the sauna. Step outside in August in Annapolis and after about 5-8 steps the sweat is pouring down your entire body.

Before DS left, he broke in two pairs of running shoes-we took the second pair to him on PPW. Also before he left, we bought a shoebox sized plastic box with a very tight-fitting snapdown lid and filled the box with powder sports drink single -serves; flavored liquid water drops in small bottles,;and granola and protein bars. Bancroft has mice, so snacks have to be stored in a relatively mouse-proof container. Read the labels on the protein bars carefully- one "nice" brand has several flavors that use hemp or hemp oil. We stayed away from those flavors and brand. I sent refills of protein bars , body wash, toothpaste, shampoo, etc. over the summer. DS after a couple weeks wanted only the flavored water drops- he said the powders took too long and tended to spill and he was petrified of getting the red powder flavors on his white uniform/clothes. About 2 days before he left, we mailed the box to him at Annapolis so it would be there in the first week of PS. I sent mouse traps in a later box just in case the traps were needed.
 
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The best analogy I can think of at the moment is a kid learning to swim. This kid is exceptional, he/she has chosen against the standard course of lessons at the community pool. No beginning in the warm shallow end and advancing over weeks to swimming the length of the pool. Nope, this kid has chosen to jump off a dock into dark cold water of a lake where he/she can't touch bottom. This swim course the kid picked doesn't allow them to reach back toward the dock after they jump in either. Instead, the kid has to swim alone 50 yards out into the water to a floating platform where (if they make it) you are allowed to await their arrival with congratulations.

So what do you and the kid get out of walking them to the end of the dock?

You don't get much time with your kid at I-Day, and my daughter had very little to offer by way of interaction in the short time we did have with her. That's OK, I think you are there at I-Day to bear witness to the jump off the dock. You're there to support the kid up to the instant before the jump; and to share that last moment of being Dad or Mom to a child, (the changes come real fast and at great distance---he/she will be less a child by PPW). Speaking just for myself, attendance at I-Day was meant to show my daughter that her Mom and I would follow her as far as we possibly could to support her; that we were proud of her and that we envied the journey she had in front of her. ITS A ROUGH DAY, but it is a unique day that will never happen again; I am more a "Dad" than a "Daddy" now.

Great Post--thank you for the insight. Your post captures exactly what I am dreading as well as why I would not think of missing it.
 
I would like to get some advice so that I can help my DD better prepare for her plebe year. In terms of academics, she has 4.0 gpa, but I personally don't think that 8th semester grades are as important as preparing for the future. Here is what she is currently planning or doing.

She is planning to take the AP calculus exam. I'm not sure whether it would be useful at the academy but it's something that she wants to do. I advised her to forego some of the non-math/science AP exams. She is also taking an online physics course since she didn't take it in school. She also swims an average of 2.5 hours a day.

What else should she prioritize between now and the plebe summer?

Run! Ds (plebe) was a swimmer and running was his weakness for Plebe Summer. Definitely take the AP Calc exam-he validated Calc 1&2, and so started with Calc 3 Fall of Plebe year (he said Calc 3 was easier than his high school AP Calc). I would have her look to see what will validate at USNA and take the AP exams that correlate. Ds validated classes using AP Gov, AP Psych, AP French and I think a few others. He feels like it is giving him more flexibility in his options. He did not take the AP Physics test since it wouldn't have counted towards validating.

Stay active prior to Plebe Summer, but otherwise relax and enjoy it. The end of his senior year seemed to happen so quickly, and the more they can relax and go into Plebe Summer with an "I can do it" kind of attitude instead of being stressed out, the better. Congratulations and good luck to her!
 
This may sound facetious, but male Plebes should streamline their shaving routine to race speed. They are expected to be clean-shaven, and it's 3-4 guys, 1 shower, 1 sink, and it's go-go-go.
Ds has very little to shave, which is a plus for Plebe Summer, but his face got irritated from dry shaving. One of the few things he asked me after the first few weeks was a good razor with the lubricated strips on it so that he hurt less without using shaving cream.
 
On the theory that there are no "dumb" questions: Being from California and not having excessive time off from work, (nor an overflowing bank account) how do "most" parents handle I-Day v. Parents' weekend? I will be out of the country on I-Day and knew this going into it that this might be a possibility. I had thought I'd go to Parents' weekend only, but everyone keeps saying, "See you on I-Day". I realize the struggle will be like this for the next 4 years, but just looking for ideas from other long-distance parents. Thanks in advance. (If this should go on another thread, please feel free to re-route me).


If you have to choose between I Day and PPW, PPW wins without question. That said, Dh and I both found I Day to be pretty amazing. We flew out just the three of us a few days before to do touristy things and just spend time together. Ds is the oldest of three, and I think having that time with just his dad and I was really meaningful for him. USNA is amazingly supportive of parents, and I know that DH and I both felt more at ease after our two days spent on the yard and in Annapolis. That said, if your Plebe is there without family, they will still be taken care of.
 
I remember looking at her there in ranks with all her classmates "eyes forward" waiting to march into Bancroft worried about how she'd do over the next 6 weeks. A young woman behind her was doing a great job of looking stoic, but she was let go a barely audible whimper. With all those Plebes locked eyes forward around her nobody moved, silence waiting for the order to march, then----MY KID--- turns to look back and reaches out to touch this girl on the arm and smiles, ("I see you shipmate, we are in this together"). I was so proud of her, and I will have that memory forever. I don't know what other parents remember from I-Day, and its just a day or two of anticipation followed by those 30 short minutes-------but that son/daughter will never "jump off a dock" as that little kid again.

This is when you know all will be ok and you have raised your child to be a compassionate person. I have cried more proud tears in the last month than in my entire life. Proud of the person he is and the person he wants to be. I am so glad you could see your daughter being such a wonderful, supportive team member.
 
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