<p>Bump this also</p>
<p>-----> "And one final question- can you please speak to validating courses in plebe year- the pros/cons...and any other thoughts on this?"</p>
<p>Validate every course you can, because the ones you validate you don't have to take. I validated two semesters of Calculus and God knows how many of Spanish. That lightens the load later, and allows you room to take more electives or to retake courses you might bomb. There is NO "con" to it, other than, for example, if you validate three semesters of Calculus, you'll end up taking Differential Equations as a Plebe, which might be a little tougher.</p>
<p>Trust me: If you can validate, DO IT!</p>
<p>----On the flip side, if you validate Spanish, yet opt to take it anyway, you will be giving yourself a good shot at an "A" without having to do very much work. When you're getting slammed by physics and calc, you may be happy to have a class that is pretty much a gimme. By the same token, if you validate a semester of calc, but you don't feel too confident about your abilities, you might be better off to take the easier class first. Sure, validating a bunch of classes might lighten your later courseload somewhat, but I think most students would prefer to have the lighter courseload in their earlier years---especially as a plebe, when you are bogged down with so much other stuff outside of academics. Finally, when you get down to it, students are rewarded for performing well in their classes--there is no extra weekend liberty based on schedule strength!</p>
<p>DeepThroat</p>
<p>so Zaphod and Deep Throat...
Do you have any suggested reading material I should take advantage of before I-day? (I'm kinda just jumping into all this, as i had not even considered NA before SS last summer, and i only went to that because it looked like a cool summer camp. anyway, i applied, and i now have an appt., and i guess i should learn a little about it) -Liz</p>
<p>Hi! I'm off to Iraq in Feb. I may still be on Navy Outlook, so y'all can try me at <a href="mailto:ZJKitchen@Bethesda.med.navy.mil">ZJKitchen@Bethesda.med.navy.mil</a></p>
<p>I'll answer if I have the ability!
Zack</p>
<p>First, unlike most people, I don't think it is a bad idea to just kind of show up at USNA and be surprised. Be in shape and be mentally ready for something hard, or course . . . but I don't think it's necessary, or even a good idea, to do stuff like memorize reef point before you show up, or to get a bootleg copy of the schedule of events for the entire summer. </p>
<p>BUT, a little light reading never hurt anyone. I'd recommend "A Sense of Honor," by James Webb. "Nightingale's Song" by Robert Timberg is also enjoyable. </p>
<p>DeepThroat</p>
<p><a href="http://www.plebesummer.com/reef_points.asp%5B/url%5D">http://www.plebesummer.com/reef_points.asp</a></p>
<p>an abriged online version of reef points. I also recommend Nightingale's Song, a VERY well written book.</p>
<p>Rosa</p>
<p>Hey NavyDoc - Stay safe in your travels and if you should find you need jelly beans, soap & magazines, ect., just drop a line in here & boodle will find it's way to you. Good Luck & Happy Holidays!</p>
<p>navyDoc- you stay safe, ya here? Take good care of the men and women over there- and bring them home safe too! Will keep all of you in our prayers!</p>