Bert, I agree with you! You summarized the unfortunate direction this thread has taken.
Originally posted by Tom Ellison
I hope we all can be a source of encouragement and enlightenment for this young man as opposed to a body of swimmers who jump to conclusions and bash each other for thoughts or suggestions that we may not agree with or understand.
Tom, you are so right! An open mind is what is needed to learn, that applies to JC and all of us.;)
So, 30-40 years ago, swimmers started using better suits, wore goggles, and began tapering and shaving for meets. Pools moved away from ropes for lane lines, square boxes for blocks, and timing systems went from 1/10's to 1/100's of a second to record swims. Why? Because we learned and educated ourselves on how to get better.
30-40 years ago, the assumption was that if your grades were bad, you HAD TO BE lazy and detentions, rulers on the knuckles, or beatings (?!?) were the only answer. Fortunately, we learned and educated ourselves to find out that something else MIGHT be the cause.
There are a variety of possibilities and explanations for learning "problems". The key should always be this: let's not jump to a scientific conclusion when simple laziness and/or focus could be the cause BUT please don't dismiss the possibility that what you refer to as "psycho-babble" could be a REAL disorder that needs to be addressed.
Oh, and lighten up and don't be a bunch of bitter cynics.
I'm so sorry JC! Take care of yourself and rest your knee. Tendonitis takes time to heal. USE THIS TIME OUT OF THE POOL TO STUDY AND GET YOUR GRADES UP! Don't push your knee and regret it later. If us "older" swimmers can give you any advice it is to listen to your body. You need that knee to be healthy for the rest of your life. ;)
or do the ROTC programme; I looked into it whilst studying at Fordham- the Marines Rotc programme can be interesting and you'll be looked after...
don't go enlisted!
my two cents' worth...
ok, so ROTC you become an officer, then you go into boot camp as an officer? so you are a higher rank and you don't go enlisted? do you have to do ROTC in college, or can you do it out of college?
Originally posted by JC_FLY
ok, so ROTC you become an officer, then you go into boot camp as an officer? so you are a higher rank and you don't go enlisted? do you have to do ROTC in college, or can you do it out of college?
hey ya- I'm not sure about the boot camp issue, but, if you successfully complete the programme (which is done whilst in college), you are given a commission and go in as an officer. the rtoc is done in college (you're actually in the reserves, and do a eight year stint- four whilst college, four out of college). having said that, you can still be given a commission, outside of the ROTC programme, but I believeyou need still need a college degree to be considered for the OTC course.
the advantages of doing the ROTC deal is that Uncle Sam picks up the college tab and post grad tab, if applicable (at least he did when I was interested; I was looking for some free law school!) - but you need to maintain good grades... a 3.0 or something, which isn't that hard. You still have reserves committments, I beleive- like one or two weekend(s) a month training, and a two week training session during the summer.
If your high school has a JROTC programme, ask them- they will be able to better advise you. Alternatively, contact a recruiter (with your parents' permission, of course!!). You're still young enough so that the recruiter won't harrass you into joining!
You still have a while yet to decide, though.
Good luck, and get studying!! :D
