I was reading over some old posts and I came across one I wrote back in July on Doolie Day Out. It was pretty funny to read that because it feels so long ago but so recently at the same time. I remember being in the spot all you 2012ers are in right now. Excited, nervous, (wishing you were in better shape
)... whatever it is, we've been there! But the good thing is, to me it really seems like just yesterday that I was looking forward to inprocessing at the Academy. This year has flown by so incredibly fast, and it will be the same for you. So if there's one thing I could advise you all on, it's to soak up every moment and try to appreciate it, whatever place you find yourself in. You'll only be a basic once, and the same goes for 4 degree year. Some lessons I've learned, looking back on this last year that I hope you can take with you into the journey ahead...
-It's all about TEAMWORK. Learn to care about your classmates more than you care about your own pain. NEVER try to look better than one of your teammates.
-If you have a problem with someone, address that issue with them in a direct but kind way. You're not going to automatically get along with everyone that you meet, but complaining about someone behind their back or just not addressing something that needs to be addressed NEVER helps.
-Keep a positive attitude. Whining and complaining isn't going to do anyone any good... It only has the potential to bring down the people around you.
-Stay calm. You will be put in stressful situations all throughout your cadet career, but getting impatient and testy with others (especially during basic) will not serve you well.
-Remember that nothing is about you. Find ways to be selfless and to serve your teammates in any way you can, not because you expect a favor in return or you expect to be praised for it... do so because you care about serving others more than serving yourself. Figure out what that looks like for you, whether it means putting someone else's bed in SAMI or helping iron uniforms or staying up till 4 in the morning helping someone understand Calculus.
-NEVER forget why you came here.
Someone may have shared this information with me before I came, but if they did, I don't remember... maybe it's something that you have to learn for yourself. But hopefully this will help give you guys the right perspective going into the BEAST!
I'm confident that every single one of you has the potential to do wonderful here!
College Confidential is dedicated to providing the best free college admissions information available on the Web, through our many articles and this discussion forum.
