The friends I’ve made here at the Academy during my first month are great. Playing soccer and being a part of the team – great. The pizza and chocolate milk – great. My instructors, aside from only a couple – great. But my first month in general – just alright.
Adjusting to school work has been tough for me. Academics in high school were never really a big issue, but here, and I’m sure any college as well, coursework is a lot more rigorous. Finding enough time to do homework has been a struggle, and unfortunately I usually end up having to do homework and study during the time when I wish I could be sleeping. I am getting pretty good grades, but I have to work on finding a way to manage my time so that I can get good grades and enough sleep, too.
Still, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. Cadets here are working toward receiving a reputable Bachelors of Science degree and a commission as an officer in the U.S. Coast Guard. I’m always busy, but this is my job and I am getting paid to be here, so I can’t complain. The way I like to think of it is that at some point I had to get my act together and start working toward something, so why not now. I figured joining the military is a pretty good way to make that happen and get right into a career, and the Coast Guard is an awesome service.
To any prospective cadets reading, I invite you to email me at Nicholas.B.Trefonides@uscga.edu. The cadet blogs had a sufficient impact on me when I was applying, so feel free to shoot me an email and I will promptly answer any questions you may have.
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