How to Succeed Here?

[essex02]

Hi ya'll, current plebe here.

Really struggling this year. First time away from home like this. I've heard that the regiment is tougher on us this year than in years past (not exactly sure if this is true or not). This wouldn't be an issue except academics are already taking up so much time.
I'm very acclimated to forming study groups and working with others in school. Bounce ideas off of each other, learn different ways of approaching problems, and succeeding together. From what I've seen so far, no one really does that here. They seem much more relaxed and confident than me. I try to get assignments done as soon as possible, but it's a challenge when there are other plebe responsibilities and no one really wants to work with me to just understand the content being taught. Even though we have mandatory study groups for some classes, no one really wants to work on it together. Even if I do meet others who can somewhat help, they're largely inaccessible since they have their own study groups, or are in different companies that we are not allowed in.
I haven't gone to teachers yet for 2 reasons. 1, I want to use instructors only when I have had a good chance to understand the material, and be able to pinpoint where I have questions and need help. No need to waste their time asking to walk through homework with me if I haven't reviewed stuff myself. 2. I do not want to go to them saying that regimental duties cut into our study time so much; just today our RTOA called us out on complaining to our instructors regarding us having to copy 36 pages of ROCs. I don't want us asking for academic support to backfire.

How do you handle this tactfully? I really want to succeed here, but it almost seems impossible. Any tips? Any way to handle this tactfully? I don't want to fail out of here.

 

[kpmom2013]

1. No one gets disenrolled for doing poorly at regimental busywork. Put your studies first. You will need to learn to get by with fewer hours of sleep than you are used to because there are not enough hours in the day to do everything asked of you.
2. Group study is difficult with the COVID19 restrictions. Hopefully, the rules will be relaxed soon so you can seek out plebes in your section who are in other companies for study groups and you can go to the ACE center for academic help.
3. Are you on a Facebook group with your class/company? You could try reaching out to that group for potential study partners that you might not have thought of.
4. Do not wait to approach your professors for help. Nearly all of them are very approachable. If you wait until you have the perfect question framed, it may be too late to catch up.
If you are truly making an honest effort, going to your professors for help, and staying out of trouble, then it is extremely unlikely that you will be kicked out. You have what it takes to succeed at USMMA or you would not have been admitted. Just bear down and study and you will be fine. Good luck.

 

[Hockey10]

DD made it a point that no prof was put off by someone asking for help.

 

[Itpmom]

Are you on a sports team? My Mid found that his teammates were helpful with academics. They either helped him or knew someone who could. I know you may not be practicing due to current restrictions, but you probably know some of them. That may be another option (in addition to talking to your instructor).

 

[GatorAud]

Keep in mind that just because other Plebes seem confident it doesn't mean they are. Most are surely feeling like you. Plebe year is tough and COVID added an extra layer of complication. Seek help often if needed. Be creative with study groups. If you want to work with someone in another company do it via facetime, zoom, Microsoft teams...you get the idea. Be resourceful. It's tough but not impossible. Remember, you are at the Academy because you deserve to be.

 

[KPEngineer]

I regularly say don't overdue the extra curricular, but you need at least one. In addition to the stress relief it gives you contact with upperclassmen who can help with navigating the system as well as academics.

NEVER NEVER NEVER avoid seeking help from teachers. Seek help early and often. The pace is such that you will be behind the 8 ball in no time and falling farther and farther behind with each passing day. I can recall thinking the term had just started so I didn't really need to work to hard yet and it seemed like the next week we are talking about mid-terms.

 

[cmakin]

I regularly say don't overdue the extra curricular, but you need at least one. In addition to the stress relief it gives you contact with upperclassmen who can help with navigating the system as well as academics.

NEVER NEVER NEVER avoid seeking help from teachers. Seek help early and often. The pace is such that you will be behind the 8 ball in no time and falling farther and farther behind with each passing day. I can recall thinking the term had just started so I didn't really need to work to hard yet and it seemed like the next week we are talking about mid-terms.

Playing rugby kept me sane during my years there. Agreed about asking for teachers' help, and that goes for any school. Same advice I gave my daughter when she was attending the University of Houston. What can be disheartening is when the teacher tells you to pound sand. CB Kim comes to mind right away. . . .

 

[shiner]

For context, a plebe sent an email to the Dean - VFR Direct this week - asking for help with academics. That didn't go well for the class.

@essex02 - as mentioned above, Academics are one of the first things to get you kicked out and deficiencies in your regimental busy work are not something that will get you kicked out. It may bring other undesirable attention that makes it seem like priority #1, but that is simply fear driving that one and it is not based on reality. Kudos to you for recognizing early that you need help in this area! Have you tried the ACE? As I understand it, you track your time there. Should you find yourself on academic probation, the board does review those logs to see if you sought help. Extra Instruction is a life saver for many. If the current system of forced study cohorts and ACE are not working for you either stylistically or time wise, it is right for you to seek alternatives. However, the administration is pretty good at providing the support they know mids need to succeed. I suggest you continue to work through the process of the institutional support structures. There are always remote tutors available for common subjects. Shoot me a PM if you need a recommendation for a remote calculus tutor that can be hired. College isn't a new concept. Tutoring is also not new - loads and loads of resources are out there, but I would work through them systematically until you find a good fit for you. Start with the ones on campus who know the lifestyle and the curriculum and are free.