<p>Sounds like a lot of excitement in the air. My child is actually becoming increasingly nervous. The sadness about leaving friends and family behind along with probably a little too much knowledge of what is in store this summer is really setting in. Anyone else feeling this way? Any advice?</p>
<p>Is this nervous as in questioning their choice, or realizing it won't be easy?</p>
<p>If they are nervous about it being tough, it is somewhat tough, and most people are somewhat nervous...but 50,000 people have done it before.</p>
<p>If they are questioning whether or not the academy is the right choice, take a look at this thread:<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/air-force-academy-colorado-springs/456499-wise-advice-usna-grad.html?highlight=wise+advice+from+a+usna+grad%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/air-force-academy-colorado-springs/456499-wise-advice-usna-grad.html?highlight=wise+advice+from+a+usna+grad</a></p>
<p>ASAJ it is a big time in your childs life. The period between Orientation and Iday can be reflective. I know potter went up and down about it. It is a lot to take in, but going to college states away from home should be hard. The friends are not going to really understand unless they are going away too. Even then it will be hard for them to comprehend BCT and Military life. Don't be surprised to see distance grow in some of those relationships. The trade off is the freindships that will be forged at the Academy will be for life.</p>
<p>No, definitely not questioning the choice-has been over and over that and has read the post. It is a great read.
Nervous mostly about BCT and sad to leave... Don't get me wrong, there is excitement in the air, but lately a lot of nervousness.
For those who watched the video at orientation-- As the appointee arrived for in-processing, he was saying how great everything was and how nice everyone was being. He even thought that maybe the AFA had changed the way they were doing the in-processing. Then it shows him getting on the bus. Reality set in very quickly. He said it was at that point he remembered something about "bus ride = bad!" That sort of sums things up here. Everything so far has been great...now it is time to face that bus ride! Many have gone before, most have survived... It still is nice to know others out there are feeling a little wierd..misery loves company-right?</p>
<p>A degree of nervousness SHOULD be there...I've seen a lot of basics run into issues with their peers and their cadre because they don't take things seriously and get into trouble...nervousness is a sign of true understanding of the commitment and trials your son will go through.</p>
<p>Bad things will happen, and plenty of tough times ahead. But that is exactly what makes what your son is going to do so important and character-building in his life. A lot of life lessons have to be learned on that first day, in those 6 weeks, in that first year, and in all 4 years here...but that's the reality of this place.</p>
<p>However, while it's good to be a bit nervous and to be thinking about the sacrifices, trials, and lonely times ahead, he needs to think about the rewards, excitements, and good times too. I will never forget the feeling of finishing basic, of finishing recognition. I thought nothing would ever top that...and then I found myself jumping out of a plane at 4500 feet above the ground. I've found closer friends than I've ever had in my life, and have had some great times here doing everything from hiking to camping to swing dancing. </p>
<p>Good times are ahead too...the best advice is to enjoy what he has today, and then when it's time to part with today, look forward to what tomorrow brings...both the good and the bad.</p>
<p>ds, that's exactly what i'm going through with some of my closest friends, and you saying that makes me want to cry.</p>
<p>asaj, as the time approaches, i'm getting more nervous too. definitely excited, but definitely nervous. i hung out with a close family friend last night. she said, "it finally hit me that you're leaving so soon" then she laughed at me because she realized what i went through 2 weeks ago...the realization hit me when i was with her :D
i wish i'd been a fly on the wall, probably would've been funny to watch me</p>
<p>aaaaaanyway... :) you're not alone. i love this place.</p>
<p>we'll all be pulling through together. Help eachother out, they want to see us work as a team and never let one person fail.
All of us preppies learned this very quickly.
Not one of you are alone, all of you guys will be scared for the unknown but just know that the priors and us preppies, will have your back.</p>
<p>:) :) :)</p>
<p>Right now you may feel alone and a bit helpless. Leaving friends and family for a wild ride with lots of responsibility. I was very nervous on I-day and the few days leading up to it. Within days I became great friends with my BCT room mate and after a few months I met more great friends. Right now, I can't think of not having and being around the friends I've made here. I have never had more rewarding friendships than I have now. The people here made BCT bearable and 4 degree year worth it. My friends that I call family here are what make this place absolutely amazing for me.</p>
<p>It's tough feeling alone now, but soon you will be part of a huge family that will take your breath away!</p>
<p>Yep, you'll make all these friends at the Academy (some of the closest I've ever had), and a lot of them will probably be squadmates. That's why I'm so disappointed that all us 2011ers will have to move to new squads soon. Oh well, soon I'll have new squadmates (except I can't be "friends" with a quarter of them till next March :().</p>
<p>Just remind your child that after graduation everyone is confronted with change, nor will things be the same for those who opt to stay home. His relationships with his high school friends will endure, and it's a full life when all of a sudden nobody takes anything for granted (it seems most people go through life without truly appreciating basic things like home, family and friends). It's also better to be first rather than last one to leave home as a lot of kids get really anxious to move on by late August or early September. The key is to keep the letters coming during BCT - we distributed about a hundred pre-addressed and stamped envelopes at our son's graduation party encouraging all who attended to send something over the summer. Write daily, but don't expect to get much back. Just keep on writing.</p>
<p>fellow 2012ers, i'm nervous too. prom night, which was the saturday before my orientation, is when it sunk in. i realized that after june 25, i wont be around the same people. they're gonna move on too, and i most likely wont see my best friends but a time or two a year at most. it's a tough pill to swallow, almost like a big marble, but those guys are right. the friendships are gonna be brand new and stronger because we'll be sharing a similar future. we'll be put through the same tough situations and help each other through them. so it may seem one-sided and unfair now, but down the road it'll be okay and it's necessary. our high school friends will still be life-long friends, and so will academy friends. there'll just be a different kind of friendship with those you meet at the academy. or at least that's how i see it</p>
<p>Definitely try to stay in touch with high-school friends. We have great times, when we can get back together! I will tell you that (except for other friends in the military) there will be an awkward gap between you and your friends that did not exist before you left. For example, my best friends go to an art college near their homes. They have a very hard time understanding what the academy is like (even down to day-to-day stuff), and I honestly don't understand their school either. Some of that commonality between you and your friends will be lost. Granted, that would likely happen anywhere you go, but the gap seems larger because of the "academy experience."...but you do get some REALLY great stories to tell!</p>
<p>Some fear and nervousness is absolutely normal. If he is losing copious amounts of sleep, he is worrying too much. The only way to fail BCT is to quit or get injured...seriously.<br>
You have to keep your goals in mind, and realize that all that training is to prepare you for those goals. </p>
<p>(ex. You want to be a fighter pilot?--there WILL be times where multiple people are trying to convey important information to you at the same time--sometimes by yelling. You need to be able to handle that...and you get used to it during BCT!)</p>
<p>Thanks for all the advice and words of encouragement. All of your comments have been very helpful. </p>
<p>Hneedle- I found your post to be interesting as all the nervousness, doubt or whatever it was-- occurred just after her prom.</p>
<p>Hmmm... The nervousness hasn't really hit me yet. For me, it's more excitement than anything. I mean yeah, I'm gona miss some of my close friends, but I really need to get away from Michigan. I'm sure I'll get anxious as we draw nearer to I-day, but for now it's just looking forward to the future.</p>
<p>I didn't get nervous until the morning we inprocessed. I was so excited to come that I couldn't think about anything else. Enjoy your last weeks of being a civilian. Make sure that you are coming to the Academy for YOU (or because you want to serve your country, that works too ;)), not for parents or anyone else. That won't be enough to keep you here. And remember, you may feel like you have close friendships at home right now, but I can guarantee you that you're going to meet your best friends at the Academy. The people that will stick by you through thick and thin and not only become life-long friends, but FAMILY.</p>