NAPS help

[Bomboxlat]

Good evening I’m a current napster and I need some advice. We are coming back from our Christmas leave, entering the hardest part of NAPS. Can I get advice on how to enjoy the time I have left instead of hating it? Don’t get me wrong NAPS has helped me SO MUCH, but It’s just so annoying.

 

[NavyHoops]

You are entering the dark ages. It’s cold, dark and the grind is real. This will prepare you for this exact thing in Annapolis next year. You will be better prepared for it. Re- read your admissions essays. Remind yourself of your why. Set some goals for the semester academically, PRT and even socially. Try new places, take a spring break trip. Have things to look forward to. As the spring hits so will the energy and spirit of NAPS. Find an accountability buddy to check you on your attitude, workouts, studying. Let yourself complain, then take a deep breath and move back to the positive. I some ways next year will be easier and others will be harder, but you will know how you respond to the hard better and how to push yourself. Good luck, finish NAPS strong!

 

[WestCoastRefugee]

Good evening I’m a current napster and I need some advice. We are coming back from our Christmas leave, entering the hardest part of NAPS. Can I get advice on how to enjoy the time I have left instead of hating it? Don’t get me wrong NAPS has helped me SO MUCH, but It’s just so annoying.

Maybe take a moment to think how many people would kill to be in your spot? It’s always easier to make it through a situation that might not be the most pleasant by looking outward instead of in. At some point you have to concede that you have struck gold and act in such a manner.

 

[A1Janitor]

Maybe take a moment to think how many people would kill to be in your spot? It’s always easier to make it through a situation that might not be the most pleasant by looking outward instead of in. At some point you have to concede that you have struck gold and act in such a manner.

I don’t that this is necessarily helpful.

Candidates who strike gold and get into an SA or naps face a range of doubts, anger, etc. It is normal “manner.”

 

[WestCoastRefugee]

I don’t that this is necessarily helpful.

Candidates who strike gold and get into an SA or naps face a range of doubts, anger, etc. It is normal “manner.”

You are entitled to your opinion, as I am. I will say that posting about making NAPS “enjoyable” because it is so “annoying” maybe needs a little reminder of the position they are in.

 

[TheNimble1]

Maybe take a moment to think how many people would kill to be in your spot? It’s always easier to make it through a situation that might not be the most pleasant by looking outward instead of in. At some point you have to concede that you have struck gold and act in such a manner.

We've got a current NAPSter who came here looking for advice and this is what you think is helpful? C'mon...

From my point of view, @Bomboxlat is approaching this exactly the right way, i.e. he/she sees a touch stretch ahead and is seeking input on how to make it through successfully. In your selective edits, you omitted the part where this mature young person stated that "...NAPS has helped me SO MUCH...". What's wrong with being annoyed by a tough situation? Seems pretty normal to me and I applaud this M/C for recognizing this, knowing and understanding that they have indeed "struck gold" by being there, and wanting to ensure that they'll successfully complete the program.

To the OP, I'd recommend reading @NavyHoops' post on a daily basis. Not sure if you'll pass an Alpha with it printed out and taped up somewhere in your room, but those are good words and they should stay front of mind.

You've got this. May will be here before you know it!

 

[WestCoastRefugee]

We've got a current NAPSter who came here looking for advice and this is what you think is helpful? C'mon...

From my point of view, @Bomboxlat is approaching this exactly the right way, i.e. he/she sees a touch stretch ahead and is seeking input on how to make it through successfully. In your selective edits, you omitted the part where this mature young person stated that "...NAPS has helped me SO MUCH...". What's wrong with being annoyed by a tough situation? Seems pretty normal to me and I applaud this M/C for recognizing this, knowing and understanding that they have indeed "struck gold" by being there, and wanting to ensure that they'll successfully complete the program.

To the OP, I'd recommend reading @NavyHoops' post on a daily basis. Not sure if you'll pass an Alpha with it printed out and taped up somewhere in your room, but those are good words and they should stay front of mind.

You've got this. May will be here before you know it!

If the OP led with issues as , thinking about leaving, having a tough time adapting, dealing with depression, questioning my decision, etc that’s different story. Asking for advice “on how to enjoy your time” because NAPS is “annoying” is an attitude change. There are several hundred, (if not thousand) that would switch with you today.

 

[TheNimble1]

I think I may have interpreted the OP's post differently. My take on it was this: "I know NAPS is, and has been, the right road for me. I recognize that a tough stretch lays ahead, and I want to equip myself to make the most of my opportunity. Any advice on how to do that?"

Perhaps I'm just a naïve optimist, as I tend to default to assuming positive intent. Regardless, I hope others can chime in and offer productive encouragement to this M/C. I suspect that he/she speaks (unintentionally) for much of the battalion.

 

[NeverSayNever]

Trying to get through the dark ages of NAPS is no different than getting through the dark ages at USNA. It is very easy to get yourself mired in a very dark place that seems to have no end. Have faith that there IS an end but that end will have its own challenges. At boat school I usually just kept promising myself that someday soon I would see the crocus sprout on Stribling. I can't remember if or when flowers start to bloom in Newport - its been awhile - but the super cold, windy, dark, grey surroundings were definitely a grind.

In dark times I often reflect on the perseverance of the generations before me. I remember listening to the speech from Capt Plumb pacing his 8'x8' cell in the Hanoi Hilton. (Google him...) In the darkest moments you have to find someway to focus your mind on the mission and the now... Anyway - go look him up and listen to his speech - there might be something in there to help you.

 

[USNA75]

If you can get involved with sports even if it’s intramural. Take advantage of libo to get away. See if you can find a fellow NAPster who lives close that you can swoop with. These are a few things I did to survive the Dark Ages at NAPS and USNA.

 

[USNA75]

You are entering the dark ages. It’s cold, dark and the grind is real. This will prepare you for this exact thing in Annapolis next year. You will be better prepared for it. Re- read your admissions essays. Remind yourself of your why. Set some goals for the semester academically, PRT and even socially. Try new places, take a spring break trip. Have things to look forward to. As the spring hits so will the energy and spirit of NAPS. Find an accountability buddy to check you on your attitude, workouts, studying. Let yourself complain, then take a deep breath and move back to the positive. I some ways next year will be easier and others will be harder, but you will know how you respond to the hard better and how to push yourself. Good luck, finish NAPS strong!

So you’re almost through the dark ages and spring is just a couple weeks away. How are you holding up shipmate?

 

[Bomboxlat]

So you’re almost through the dark ages and spring is just a couple weeks away. How are you holding up shipmate?

Holding up…. This last week was the hardest one so far. I was taking 2-3 energy drinks a day. We got a good overnight yesterday which was really needed, that relieved me a bit. Ive been really enjoying going to the gym and distancing myself from the world an hour or two. Naps is still treating us like child's enforcing dumb rules. It is what it is. Only 67 days till graduation. Just keeping the end goal in mind and working hard for it.

Thank you for asking.

 

[Aksel2028]

Holding up…. This last week was the hardest one so far. I was taking 2-3 energy drinks a day. We got a good overnight yesterday which was really needed, that relieved me a bit. Ive been really enjoying going to the gym and distancing myself from the world an hour or two. Naps is still treating us like child's enforcing dumb rules. It is what it is. Only 67 days till graduation. Just keeping the end goal in mind and working hard for it.

Thank you for asking.

DD went with friends to Boston for the overnight LIBO. Got promoted to platoon commander so less sleep. Overall, on the glide path for May 10th.

 

[USNA75]

Holding up…. This last week was the hardest one so far. I was taking 2-3 energy drinks a day. We got a good overnight yesterday which was really needed, that relieved me a bit. Ive been really enjoying going to the gym and distancing myself from the world an hour or two. Naps is still treating us like child's enforcing dumb rules. It is what it is. Only 67 days till graduation. Just keeping the end goal in mind and working hard for it.

Thank you for asking.

Hang in there Shipmate. Only a few weeks to go then you can take some R&R and get your mind right for plebe summer.

 

[GAMidMom]

Holding up…. This last week was the hardest one so far. I was taking 2-3 energy drinks a day. We got a good overnight yesterday which was really needed, that relieved me a bit. Ive been really enjoying going to the gym and distancing myself from the world an hour or two. Naps is still treating us like child's enforcing dumb rules. It is what it is. Only 67 days till graduation. Just keeping the end goal in mind and working hard for it.

Thank you for asking.

Hey! My M/C is there with you! I’m so PROUD of you all. Count down the days and smile when you can! ️