NASS reflections

[justdoit19]

I agree. With the short time I have been a Mid Mom, and also being a mom to two other adult children through regular college....we are their safe place to vent. And our job is to listen to (not fix), encourage (not lecture) and support (not commiserate with) them. No matter where they are, and especially not an academy.

I think as a good parent or guardian, you are their ‘safe place’ and we get the venting. Complaining. It’s a bit of a burden because sometimes as a parent it can have an effect on US to hear these things. But it’s an honor and privilege to be that person for them. And the need for that person in their lives is amplified big time at a pressure cooker SA.

So it’s the highest highs, and lowest lows. The highs outweigh the lows. So it doesn’t surprise me to hear that there were exhausted phone calls during, and a greater desire to attend after.

 

[justdoit19]

I hear you @Memphis9489 . On the other hand, we take kids for college tours that last a few hours and expect them to get a feel for it, even though I know the universities are only showing off the glossy bits. DS feels like he got a great view of the USNA, had a positive experience, and wants to focus on NROTC. If he looks back at some point and regrets this decision, then I see that as its own lesson.

The only thing I will add to this, is regarding your comment that ‘he wants to be at a regular college where he can focus more on his academics’.

He did NOT receive an accurate peek at the academic side of USNA at NASS. At all. As I already said, my (now) Mid was all in NROTC at this same point in his application process. Until he went to an academic based visit (his was a recruiting trip, but the set up is the same academically as a CVW). Where he was immersed in the student life. Yes, NASS has workshops, but those are a a short highlight of a single class. Not the whole academic side of USNA.

If your son has any thought left about USNA, I would highly recommend a CVW if academics is the driving factor in his decision. So he has a better picture of the academic side. He just doesn’t from NASS. At a CVW, he will be in real classes. A student’s school life focus. He hasn’t been accurately exposed to that part yet.

I’m not trying to recruit here! Your post really resonates with me because it’s my sons story at this point in his journey!