P2Bs Worried About Academics?

A recent PM from a parent of a P2B worried about academics inspired me to share this link about the Center for Academic Excellence (CAE). See link below, check out each tab. Once your plebe is at USNA, there are enormous resources to draw on if he or she starts struggling. USNA wants mids to succeed and offers a wide range of support services.

In each class, someone has to make the C,D and F grades, despite the stellar records of those entering. It can be shocking and disorienting after years and years of academic success. There is plenty of help available. At the first sign of struggle, plebes need to see profs during office hours, attend EI (Extra Instruction) and take advantage of the CAE. If this post helps one future mid, I’ll be happy. I saw far too many, so shocked by their sudden fall from the top of the academic hill, become stuck in pride and disbelief. They didn’t seek help or left it too late. The goal is the commission. Reach for every helping hand without hesitation.



https://www.usna.edu/AcCenter/Support Programs.php#fndtn-panel1LearningSkills

Can definitely vouch for this. Countless times this past year I sat down with my professors for EI. They’re always happy to help. Often I didn’t even need to make an appointment with them. If they’re in their office and free, you can swing by and they’ll drop everything to make helping you their priority. This sheer availability of PhD holding professors eager to help you is an incredible resource you won’t find at many other colleges. As a reapplicant who went to a state university for one year before USNA, I can say this is in stark contrast to my experience there. At most colleges it’s a struggle just to get your professor to respond to an email, let alone meet with you for extra help. Often professors are interested only in their research, and have so many students that they couldn’t offer individual EI even if they wanted to. Also at those schools you’re lucky if you even have a professor teaching you instead of a graduate assistant. At the Academy there is no such nonsense, and this is one of the reasons that the academic program of the Naval Academy is so consistently renowned despite other varied criticisms of the institution. Parents, please rest easy knowing that your soon to be mid will be in very good hands. They’ll need to put in a lot of work, but they’re armed with all the tools for success they could ever want.

@Kierkegaard

Great post from a current mid (assuming not a grad yet)!

Thank you for taking the time to add your thoughts. Much more valuable from someone who has recent experience.

Really good advice here. Keep in mind, the Administration wants you to succeed --I saw the Dean speak last fall, and he made it very clear that the Academic Department's mindset is that everyone who is admitted is well qualified and has the ability to graduate. However, it's up to you to apply yourself, and if you are struggling --get help !

CAPT MJ is right on ..there will be struggles. I suspect many of our P2B have 4.0's, and have never seen a test returned with the big red F ..., and most have never seen C's and D's. It's gonna happen ! A little story, I had an Appointee several years ago (he's out and an MD now !), straight A student, 1600 SAT's, etc. Around midterms First Semester Plebe Year, his Dad sends an email to me and another grad here in town (RADML type), asking if we could pop DS an email and try to boost DS morale because he was bumming over a C in Plebe Chemistry. Both of us responded almost identically that we would have loved to have a C at midterm in Plebe Chemistry.

My personal story is another good illustration -- I wasn't a straight A student in High School, and never really learned good study habits. I went to NAPS, and got my a$$ kicked academically for 2/3 of the program. I had an F in one of the two calculus courses when I went home at Christmas. I went to Extra Instruction daily, bought extra study guides, and generally worked my tail off. I was on academic probation, and had to go see the CO of NAPS once a week to explain what I was doing. I learned to study, and about mid Spring the light bulb clicked on, and I did really well from there on out .. almost top 10% in my class.

The bottom line, all Appointees have the ability, and USNA will provide the resources, necessary to succeed. From there, your academic success is in your hands ... put in the time, and the effort, and you will be fine.

Great point by @Old Navy BGO

If the P2B sailed through HS and never had to develop serious study habits, they can find themselves in a tight spot sooner than the P2Bs who had to work hard in HS and develop a disciplined and methodical approach. It is for this reason the Ac Center has courses on study skills!

I disagree @Kierkegaard ...other universities have Professor Office hours mandated for students to get help and other resources for help (tutors, writing centers, group tutoring, etc etc) ...BUT, just like at USNA, students have to ask for that help

My P2B received this great video link in an email yesterday: .

bopper said:

I disagree @Kierkegaard ...other universities have Professor Office hours mandated for students to get help and other resources for help (tutors, writing centers, group tutoring, etc etc) ...BUT, just like at USNA, students have to ask for that help

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Big difference. At my university, I need to publish my office hours and be available then. If my office hours conflict with a student's other classes/commitments then that is a problem for the student. I do not have to "make time" when it is convenient for the student. At USNA, the Prof is expected to meet with a student that is requesting help at a time that is MUTUALLY ACCEPTABLE. The prof is actually required to bend if necessary. Bancroft Hall (the Company Officer/etc) will work with the mid to ensure that this happens. At my university, the student does not have an advocate like this either.

Great advice. I think USNA is harder for kids for whom high school was "easy". My DS graduated with a 4.4 and 14 AP courses. He had developed a tremendous work ethic with academics but USNA is a whole different ballgame. The demands on their time is tremendous. USNA is the place to ask for help and use every available resource. Humble yourself, asking for help is not a weakness and realize that everyone is in the same boat. You don't want to go before any type of academic board and not show that you have been using every resource available. My DS received his first C ever this year and was thankful for it. It's not about lowering expectations, but adjusting your sails to the rigorous environment and doing your best under tremendous pressure. And yes, the professors, mids in your company, EI and everyone want you to succeed but no one can do the work for you. There will always be people willing to support, encourage and help if you ask.

boatsfordays said:

Great advice. I think USNA is harder for kids for whom high school was "easy". My DS graduated with a 4.4 and 14 AP courses. He had developed a tremendous work ethic with academics but USNA is a whole different ballgame. The demands on their time is tremendous. USNA is the place to ask for help and use every available resource. Humble yourself, asking for help is not a weakness and realize that everyone is in the same boat. You don't want to go before any type of academic board and not show that you have been using every resource available. My DS received his first C ever this year and was thankful for it. It's not about lowering expectations, but adjusting your sails to the rigorous environment and doing your best under tremendous pressure. And yes, the professors, mids in your company, EI and everyone want you to succeed but no one can do the work for you. There will always be people willing to support, encourage and help if you ask.

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SPOT. ON. POST!!