Roller coaster I: Get Us (The Parents) Through Plebe Year - Class of ‘26 🎢

[HopefulDad2026]

Attend EI even if you don't think you need it.

What is EI?

 

[Capt MJ]

Hi

What is EI?

Extra Instruction. A professor might offer an exam review session outside of class hours, or be willing to see someone to go over a certain concept and problem sets.

Profs will usually post office hours they are available for drop-bys for questions. If someone is struggling, failure to seek out EI will not be well-received by the prof. It demonstrates effort.

 

[Heatherg21]

What is EI?

It’s awesome. Go when offered. Likely saved my DS’s gpa. And sanity.

 

[Small Team Bacsi]

Hi

Extra Instruction. A professor might offer an exam review session outside of class hours, or be willing to see someone to go over a certain concept and problem sets.

Profs will usually post office hours they are available for drop-bys for questions. If someone is struggling, failure to seek out EI will not be well-received by the prof. It demonstrates effort.

My first at USNA had a professor that drove back on campus on a weekend to offer one on one extra help

 

[Capt MJ]

With regard to EI, I can’t tell you how many Academic Review Boards I attended when I was on staff there, where on screens around the room, were projected trend lines on an unsat mid’s grades, and the professor’s or instructor’s official notes in the record along the lines of “On numerous occasions starting early in the term, I suggested Midn Jones attend my group or individual EI sessions, but he failed to do so. I also suggested he take advantage of the many resources at the Center for Academic Excellence, but I don’t believe he did so.”

The mid in trouble was seated facing the Supe, Dant, Ac Dean and others, BattO, Company Officer and Senior Enlisted Advisor brought in to the side, and all those data-filled screens around the room. There is plenty of help available from formal and informal sources, and mids too proud or paralyzed by shock this is happening to them to take advantage of them, usually face a rough ride at an Ac Board, which decides whether to separate them for academic reasons or give them a chance to re-group with a new plan, perhaps a new major, involuntary summer school classes, stepping away from a sport or ECA, etc.

 

[AF6872]

Maybe?

 

[MidCakePa]

There is plenty of help available from formal and informal sources, and mids too proud or paralyzed by shock this is happening to them to take advantage of them,

This scenario — without all the pomp and stripes — resonates with me. Late in every semester, a couple students in each of my sections come to me and ask if they can do extra work to lift their disappointing grade. I point out that they never came to office hours to discuss their challenges or review their poor midterm results or ask about an unclear point on an assignment. I’m usually met with a blank stare and sheepish shrug.

Some say, “I didn’t have time.” To them, I say, “If you didn’t have time to do those things, how do you have time now to do extra work?” I then explain that the very best performers — in school or on the job — recognize when they’re in trouble and know how to ask for help. I don’t budge on their appeals, as I want that lesson to stick with them for a long, long time.

This I think (but I don’t say, because it’s a state university): God helps those who help themselves.

 

[Capt MJ]

Here’s the USNA Center for Academic Excellence. Be sure to work through the hamburger menu in the upper left. A wide range of help is available for struggling midshipmen.

Introduction

Logo

www.usna.edu

Companies also have informal tutoring.

Mids who sailed through high school or didn’t have to put too much effort in, often find themselves struggling with time management, prioritization, and a new level of academic demand. Now they are in a bigger pond with other high achievers. Pride must go immediately and the shock of The First C Ever should compel them to seek help from the many resources available. USNA wants them to succeed.

 

[NavyHoops]

With regard to EI, I can’t tell you how many Academic Review Boards I attended when I was on staff there, where on screens around the room, were projected trend lines on an unsat mid’s grades, and the professor’s or instructor’s official notes in the record along the lines of “On numerous occasions starting early in the term, I suggested Midn Jones attend my group or individual EI sessions, but he failed to do so. I also suggested he take advantage of the many resources at the Center for Academic Excellence, but I don’t believe he did so.”

The mid in trouble was seated facing the Supe, Dant, Ac Dean and others, BattO, Company Officer and Senior Enlisted Advisor brought in to the side, and all those data-filled screens around the room. There is plenty of help available from formal and informal sources, and mids too proud or paralyzed by shock this is happening to them to take advantage of them, usually face a rough ride at an Ac Board, which decides whether to separate them for academic reasons or give them a chance to re-group with a new plan, perhaps a new major, involuntary summer school classes, stepping away from a sport or ECA, etc.

As someone who was that Mid sitting in that chair, I just had flashbacks of my own Ac Board. The difference was I had attended EI a lot, sat in the front row, stayed awake in class, was involved. It saved my tail. I just don’t think my brain was meant to do chemistry! I only sat in that chair once. Second semester Plebe Year things started to click better, I studied better, I slept more (this helped a lot to absorb more in class and retain more).

 

[justme]

As someone who was that Mid sitting in that chair, I just had flashbacks of my own Ac Board. The difference was I had attended EI a lot, sat in the front row, stayed awake in class, was involved. It saved my tail. I just don’t think my brain was meant to do chemistry!

At my State U, I was assigned seat in front row for Chem at 7 something in the morning lecture, one of those 2-300 student ones. I somehow made it to class every day and attended the optional help sessions.

My final raw grade probably didnt warrant what I was given, but he did make sure to draw the longest minus sign in recorded history next to my C on the grade list tacked to the office window, back when we didnt even have +- scores.

I am sure attendance was my saving grace.

 

[Capt MJ]

As someone who was that Mid sitting in that chair, I just had flashbacks of my own Ac Board. The difference was I had attended EI a lot, sat in the front row, stayed awake in class, was involved. It saved my tail. I just don’t think my brain was meant to do chemistry! I only sat in that chair once. Second semester Plebe Year things started to click better, I studied better, I slept more (this helped a lot to absorb more in class and retain more).

Sorry to bring that back. You did all the right things. I was always impressed by the profs and faculty advisers standing by after the mid was “saved” to sit down and immediately start crafting the “academic rehab plan.” Chaplains were also there to support shaken mids who had gotten the worst news and had told their parents nothing of what was happening.

I used to be horribly tied up in knots inside just watching the mids in the hot seat. I would think long and hard about my comments, knowing sometimes I would be recommending against retention, for the good of the Navy and the mid, but it didn’t make it any easier. Hard ones were letting youngsters go, because it was clear that they were just not going to make it academically, after previous “saves” and remediations.

It could be very emotional in there. I still have clear memories of many of the mids. It was easier to recommend separation for mids who were also not performing well in other areas, but very hard for “good mids.” I’ll never forget Gunny X, 23rd company SEL, who succinctly said, “Sir, I would not want to see Midn X leading either Marines or sailors.” The separation decision came quickly after that.

 

[AF6872]

Not so much separation Issue but I think Marine Enlisted Cadre has a large influence on Service selection Marine for Graduation and TBS. Told you are not Qualified must be tough. Separation has to be one of the toughest things anyone has to do other than sitting on a Violation Board for a friend from your own Company. Daughter had to sit on one where an NCO was discharged, and his M.Sgt. actually cried.

 

[tweety_bird]

The Center for Academic Excellence has supplemental instruction classes which take place during a normal academic period and are essentially like normal classes because you have to attend them if you sign up. However, there is no homework because they are designed to review and clarify material you are learning in core classes such as Calculus and Chemistry and can drop them at any time if they are not helping. At the end of plebe summer, plebes can usually sign up for these classes if they feel that they will need extra help in the future.

Not all professors for core classes are good teachers (even though they are smart themselves), so these classes really helped me. I learned the whole chemistry syllabus in one hour/week because the professor at the CAE was so good at breaking the material down. I liked the fact that I was forced to go every week and already had time carved out for the class/could go during the school day instead of at night when I was tired.

 

[Capt MJ]

The Center for Academic Excellence has supplemental instruction classes which take place during a normal academic period and are essentially like normal classes because you have to attend them if you sign up. However, there is no homework because they are designed to review and clarify material you are learning in core classes such as Calculus and Chemistry and can drop them at any time if they are not helping. At the end of plebe summer, plebes can usually sign up for these classes if they feel that they will need extra help in the future.

Not all professors for core classes are good teachers (even though they are smart themselves), so these classes really helped me. I learned the whole chemistry syllabus in one hour/week because the professor at the CAE was so good at breaking the material down. I liked the fact that I was forced to go every week and already had time carved out for the class/could go during the school day instead of at night when I was tired.

Smart.

 

[Small Team Bacsi]

Maybe?

You would get points for the answer. Like those plebs that cheated in the pull up competition

It was a player

Joe Grace a USNA student and soccer player that back in the day did an exchange semester at the USMA. The NCAA had no problem with an exchange student doing that and playing.

He helped Army beat Navy then the next year he helped Navy beat Army.

In that fairly new , to me , soccer building you can see his N letter sweater and his A Army team jacket On display.

I thought that really cool

 

[AF6872]

They are very good at EI and 99.44% care for their students. Then again there are a few falling below the goal. Aristotle doesn't teach there

 

[AF6872]

Thought it was Jeff Monken assistant coach at Navy and then Coach at Army. Ah! The Beautiful Game. Played in College and I still love watching although the knees are gone. Lioneness's at Germany Sunday should be a great match. Yes, I do like watching Women's Football. More entertaining than watching dives all match

 

[8th Wing Refugee]

Thought it was Jeff Monken assistant coach at Navy and then Coach at Army. Ah! The Beautiful Game. Played in College and I still love watching although the knees are gone. Lioneness's at Germany Sunday should be a great match. Yes, I do like watching Women's Football. More entertaining than watching dives all match

If they win on Sunday, then the Lionesses can start using "Two World Wars and One World Cup" as well!

 

[AF6872]

Did you see that back heal Goal? AMAZING England has some super players without some "woman" in a Kit. England V Germany Sunday for all of you who might like "Real Womens Sports" I know it is slow at times but stay with it and try to watch ball movement.. Red Dragons and Georgie Best Might be dating myself. Son wore the "10" for quite a few years. I never made that.

 

[Rarely27]

It may be just me but…why can’t I understand how Plebe liberty works during AC? I had search and Google but there is really not an structure answer
Can someone simplify, please