I am currently a sophomore in NROTC at UNC. Here are some things I have learned that I wished I would have known before I started college. Please to add to the list, as I am sure I missed something.
- Don't overload yourself your first semester. You will never regret having too high of a GPA going into the Spring of your freshman year.
- Be social. Find a balance between your ROTC life and your social life. It will pay dividends when you find yourself needing a break from your fellow cadets/midshipmen.
- Get to know anyone and everyone. I am in NROTC but have many friends in AROTC and AFROTC. You never know who you might meet after you graduate.
- Develop a habit for PT. If you get into the habit of working out on your own, you (and your PT scores) will thank you.
- Get involved in your department(s). If you are a music major, play in an ensemble. If you are a language major, go to the language and culture events that your department holds. This is a great way to make friends outside of ROTC while also doing something constructive.
- Develop a routine. This helps immensely when trying to set aside time to study, socialize, and relax.
- Learn from your alumni. They have been there and done that and would love to talk to a current cadet/midshipman. Almost all alumni want to know whats going on with their old ROTC unit.
- Have fun, but remember there are laws that have serious consequences. This is just good advice for anyone in college. I have seen way too many people (friends and acquaintances alike) who have either ruined their lives or come close because of drugs, alcohol, general debauchery, etc. Be careful and be smart.
- Read as much as you can. If you're like me and don't like to read books, read news or investigative articles. Reading is a valuable skill that you will need at some point during your college career. If you aren't a good reader, you will have a hard time.
- Check your emails. I don't just mean look at your inbox. Whenever you send an email, read it over and make sure you are sending it to the right person/people. I have made this mistake before, but fortunately the worst that came from it was a few laughs.
- Take advantage of trips your unit takes. Academics come first, but if you can make it happen, trips organized by your ROTC unit are a good way to see what is out in the real world.
- Find a mentor. This is easier said than done but if you can find someone you look up to, it will really pay off when you are in a tight spot.
- If you are having a tough time, talk to someone. There are tons of resources out there to make sure you are mentally healthy. Being happy, or even content, with life is critical to being successful.
- Finally, be patient. You will run into cadets/midshipmen/officers/enlisted with whom you will not get along. Understand that you will see more people like that out in the real world and that you have the perfect opportunity to practice dealing with these types of people.
