<p>I read in the stuff that USNA sent out that they recommend trying to adjust to the the East Coast time zone. I was wondering if anybody has been doing/will do this?</p>
<p>As a West Coaster, I am kind of reluctant to do so because it would make doing anything tough.</p>
<p>Although I live in Tampa, I too need to get used to the East Coast time zone. :D</p>
<p>I thought about trying to adjust because I am Alaska time, which is 4 hours behind East Coast, but then I realized that they are going to tire us out so badly that it will probably be virtually impossible not to fall asleep on East Coast time. I think I am just gonna stick to my regular schedule.</p>
<p>14 days left until I-Day. Two weeks!</p>
<p>For a while I thought that I would start getting up really early like we will during PS, but then I realized that that would mean I would be going to bed earlier and hanging out with my friends a lot less. I think I'm just going to be dealing with it when I get there and not worry about it now.</p>
<p>USNA, I Hope... I had the same plan. And tonight I'm going to a concert. Looks like I changed my mind! I just want to spend as much time as I can with my family and friends... We'll probably be tired no matter what we do. I'm just happy I'm on the east coast!</p>
<p>We're soooo close. I got my hair cut off today. 12 inches. I donated it to locks of love. It's still too long for plebe summer, but at least I have 2 weeks to get used to it being short!</p>
<p>12 days! Me and my family leave home tomorrow to road trip out...can't wait!</p>
<p>The anticipation of Christmas often trumps it. ;)</p>
<p>Good luck all you soontobeskum Plebes ... :eek:</p>
<p>When you're in it up to your elbows, remember ... USNA has among the highest 4 year graduation rates among its matriculants among over 3,500 4 year institutions of higher learning. Lots of huff and puff of difficulties and challenges in making it ... and you'll be sorely pushed, stretched, and grown in a great many ways ... but virtually all make it, especially among those who wish to remain. </p>
<p>So take comfort in the big picture, even when you're exhausted doing those push-ups n crunches. Chances are great that if you make it to I-Day ... you'll make it to graduation day. :cool:</p>
<p>Well put there WP. I am reminded that a refrain from the Beach Boys tune "Sloop John B" was heard frequently in my company "This is the worst trip I've ever been on" coupled with the frequently repeated mantra:"this place sucks!" Nonetheless - it did so equally for all of us and made us into a class with lots of shared experiences, triumphs and colosal failures rather than a collection of individuals. Amazing what you can make it thru as long as you keep your perspective. After all - tens of thousands have made it thru before you and literally a thousand will make it thru with you so - keep reminding yourself of that and asking yourself " if that's true how hard can it really be?" Answer: only as hard as you make it.
Good luck!</p>
<p>As I read the posts on this thread it's easy to hear the anticiaption and apprehension level rise. 51 weeks ago we too left for that last family vacation and on to Annapolis for I-Day. Today I'm anticipating something a lot more positive. My mids plane just pushed back from the gate at BWI and she is on her way home to California for 4 weeks of leave. She is tired, beat up, and a bit ill from her first block assignment as a SS cadre but in super spirits. The Naval Academy has become her second home and family. Plain and simple she loves it.</p>
<p>That said I've recently asked her what advice she would give the class of 2012 as they report to I-Day. First of all she refers to I-Day as: 08:13 June 27th, 2007 is the day her childhood came to a sudden and abrupt end. She also refers to it as the second worst day of her life. The worst day of her life is the day after I-Day when she woke up and realized "oh###" This is not a dream and I'm still here what have I done!</p>
<p>Her words of advice are:
Plebe Summer Sucks, plain and simple - However, every cadre and Mdshipman you meet made it through their plebe summer, so can you. Only think one day at a time.</p>
<p>Once you realize the cadre can't kill you or eat you, the possiblity that you will survive becomes stronger every day. You become stronger everyday as well.</p>
<p>Thoughts of quitting go through everyones head at various times. No matter how bad it may seem do not make a decision to "Tango" for the first two weeks. That first phone call home will rejuvinate you and the realization you are a third of the way through really hits home. Things start looking up and just get better after the first two weeks.</p>
<p>That pretty much sums up her advice to future plebes. She wishs you all luck and anticipates meeting you in Company when the brigade reforms in August.</p>
<p>11 days!</p>
<p>Silly character minimum.</p>
<p>My Mid offers, when asked for ONE word of counsel ...</p>
<p>Arrive able to do the PT absent exceptional struggle. When you can't, you quickly and continually become a visible, identifiable target for harassment from the Cadre both on and off the field. Makes sense to control that which one can ... The rest is pretty much out of your hand. His observation is that those who struggle during Plebe summer pretty much merit that.</p>
<p>Again, aside from those who choose to quit, virtually all who take the oath can finish if they so disire. Here's to your strong finishes ... Go get 'em.</p>
<p>10 more days!</p>
<p>The nerves are starting to set in a bit more now.
9 days!!!</p>
<p>younger brother and sister in the football and soccer camps respectively, drove around the campus last night, very big thunderstorm last night. very cool to be here. Gonna get some seafood tonight. </p>
<p>this dad is very happy</p>
<p>8 days holy cow.</p>
<p>Yeah the nerves are gettin to me here...I'm ready, but it's crazy. My friends are plannin this big thing tomorrow night as one last final blowout before I leave (going on a trip with the family for the next 5 days). I know I'll be ready for it, but this short summer was just that-short. You just have to remember to live in the moment and chill with your people while the chillin is good. Enjoy it, and then be ready for the next step on 2 JUL 2008.</p>
<p>Good luck from USAFA '11!</p>
<p>7 days...</p>
<p>Heh. What movie is that from?</p>
<p>the ring? </p>
<p>(10 char)</p>