The Summer Before NU

By Keith McCusker NU '04

I can remember the funny red gown, that weird cardboard hat and the smell of the fresh cut grass of the football field on that June day in New Jersey. Maris Manasala…getting close. High School graduation, the final event after four long years of tiny lockers, hall passes, crowded cafeterias, some real classes, but also those crazy gym requirements like square dancing. Nicole Manasala…getting closer. I was standing in line just waiting for them to call my name, me to walk across the stage and begin a summer without any big plans. Chris MacCloud… I’m next…almost there! I was picturing days at the beach, working a part time job for some cash for college, sleeping in until noon every day, and just hanging out with my friends before I left town for college. Keith McCusker…that’s me…start walking forward…Keith…Keith…

I realize I’m sitting at my desk in the Norwich University admission office some seven years later daydreaming. My coworker’s trying to tell me something and all I can smell is the Jersey summer air and I hear him saying, “Keith, something something…meeting…something else…Munamuna dant da da nana…Munamuna.” Right now you are all hoping for a story about one last crazy Jersey summer at the beach, sleeping until noon and pretty much slacking off. I wish I could tell that story too, but in hindsight this other story was better for me anyway. I look at my computer screen and almost immediately I’m back in NJ.

I’m lying in bed in a dark room, I must have left that black light on last night because the room has the purple tint and that crazy poster from Spencers is glowing. It’s the Monday after graduation and the only thing on my schedule is to sleep until I can’t sleep anymore. Boy was a wrong…my alarm starts going off at 7am. I know I didn’t set it at all last night, so what’s going on. My father busts in my room and starts pulling the curtains back to let in the sunlight. I cringe from the bright light, like a Mogwai and think to myself what is he up to this time. I reluctantly get out of bed as he isn’t one to argue with, just Google George the animal Steele and you’ll get a good idea of my father on a good day. Next thing I know we are back at my high school football field, only a few days after graduation, and I’m about to take a Physical Fitness (PT) test. The typical PT test for NU consists of 2 minutes of push ups, 2 minutes of sit ups, and a 2 mile run. Every weekday all summer long my father woke me up at 7 a.m. and made me take a PT test every morning. Not the summer I was expecting, but by about the end of the summer I was beginning to appreciate it. Not only had I increased significantly the number of push ups and sit ups I could do, but my run time kept getting faster and faster as well. Now looking back I’ve very thankful that my father, pain in the arse that he was at the time, made me wake up early and PT. When I got to NU, rook week PT was a breeze, at least for me. I was one of the few rooks that actually passed the PT test at the end of rook week and I owe that all to my father.

I sit at my desk today thinking about the incoming freshman class. By no means am I suggesting such as extreme as my father waking you up and making you take a PT test every day, but working out consistently throughout the summer is key for any incoming Corps of Cadets members. But what else can you do aside from tons of push ups, sits ups, and running? Norwich isn’t all about the Corps of Cadets and pushups, there’s more to it than just that. It is college after all, so you might think of taking a summer class or two at a local community college. This is a great chance to possibly lighten up your first year at NU academically and also keep your brain in shape as well. A similar option would be to come and participate in some of our Norwich summer programs like our Future Leaders Camp or our NU Advantage program. Both of these options are great ways to get you familiar with campus and also get prepared for starting freshman year. Another great event to help you get ready for your freshman year is attending a Freshman Send off party put on by your local NU Alumni Club. The freshman send offs are a great chance to get those last minute questions answered for both incoming students and their parents. You’ll be able to chat with both alumni and current students, and meet other incoming students from your local area. I learned a few great tips that I used for all four of my years at NU, at the NJ Freshman send off party, so don’t miss out!

Take it from me that the summer before you leave for college will be great, no matter what you do. If you can use some of your summer time to make your transition to Norwich easier, then go for it. And while you’re out running this summer, just remember it could be worse, my father could be making you take a PT test right now!

For more information about the summer programs offered at Norwich, visit the Summer Programs section of our website. Information about the Freshman Sendoffs will be posted in the NU On The Road section as soon as it becomes available.