Freshman year of college can be liberating, exciting, and a little bit challenging. But sophomore year takes the crown. Now that you have the reigns in your hands, this year will be the best yet. Here is why:
1. You're not a freshman anymore.
You know the lay of the land. You can make your way to class in the morning without having to pull out the campus map after 15 steps. You know the best places to eat and what places to avoid. You feel confident enough to walk around with only one friend, or by yourself, instead of your entire dorm hallway.
2. You have settled into your new home away from home.
Freshman year is full of adjustments. You have to move your entire life into a small dorm room that you share with another person. It's difficult to figure out how to keep everything organized. By sophomore year, you have figured out some small tips that help you keep your life together.
3. You have (probably) joined the clubs and organizations that you love.
As a freshman, Mega Fair was extremely overwhelming. If you are anything like me, you probably signed up for 15+ clubs and then never went to any of them. (You still probably get the emails and automatically delete them.) But sophomore year, you have probably found Greek life, or one or two student organizations that you love, and spend most of your time working for them.
4. You declare a major.
You now know what direction you are heading in. Generally. Though you may change your major again, you at least have a good idea about where you stand with your classes and are no longer meandering through the scary amount of classes you don't have to take.
5. You know people at the parties.
The days of walking around aimlessly hoping to stumble upon an open frat party are over. Now, you actually get invited to the parties and get excited to see your friends when you get there. "Who do you know here?" is no longer a terrifying experience.
6. You realize that you do not have to go out every single Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
Freshman year, there is a lot of pressure surrounding the party culture. Some believe that, to have friends or to "be in the group," they have to go out every night they can to prove they are "worthy." But sophomore year, staying in with some of your close friends often sounds like a much better choice.
7. FOMO is not as real as it once was.
The fear of missing out plagues the freshman class. But come sophomore year, you realize that there will be many Friday nights. You realize that you can see people any time you like. Only after you run yourself ragged from trying to make it to everything, do you realize that it is okay to take a day for yourself.
8. Your group of friends becomes more solidified.
Freshman year, everyone scrambles to collect as many phone numbers as they can. Out of the hundred you collected, you probably only texted or called a handful of them. Sophomore year, you get to know people better and connect with people on a different level. Your good friends become your best friends, and you can rely on them for anything.
9. You realize that, in order to do well, you have to focus.
If the library was once a place where only the "nerds" studied, that stigma has now been shattered. Freshman year, you tried as hard as possible to avoid the library, either because it was too long of a walk or because you didn't want to utter the words "I'm going to the library." Sophomore year, you pride yourself on your study habits and make sure you tell everyone that you are going to study at the library.
10. You can start to see yourself being somewhat able to function in the real world.
Because you are no longer a baby freshman, college days become more finite and you realize that someday you will have to live in the real world. This gives you more drive and motivation to do well, while also terrifying you. But never fear! Sophomore year is one of the best years of your life!
But never fear! Sophomore year is one of the best years of your life! Enjoy every second!
