Congrats! You've made it through your first year of college, and all of the stressful, memorable, and crazy moments that came along with it. You think you've experienced all there is to experience as a college student, but if you're entering your sophomore year, like me, just wait, because the fun has just begun. And here's why:
1. For starters, you have the obvious: you won't be getting lost every time you venture out from the safety of your dorm room. Because no one wants to be THAT freshman carrying the map of campus in front of their face, but we've all had our low moments.
2. Going along with number 1., when you did step out of your comfort zone of campus, going to class, at the library, at any party, you have that inevitable feeling that everyone just knows you're a freshman. You no longer have to tolerate getting THE LOOK. You all know what look I'm talking about. It's a look given by anyone after you answer the dreaded question, "What year are you?" with a timid, "Oh, I'm a freshman." It's a look of pity mixed with laughter as well as a little bit of jealously.
3. In all honesty, you still really don't know what you're doing, but at least you get to pretend.
4. You get to watch all the freshmen make the terrible mistakes you wish you could remember.
5. Instead of coming to campus in the fall of your freshman year with little to no friends, you get to be reunited with all of your best friends when fall rolls around.
6. You are no longer surprised when you find yourself or your friends going out Monday, Tuesday, Wednesdays, Thursdays, oh, and all weekend...
.... It's okay, though, because you've mastered getting up the next morning and making it to class....or so you tell your parents.
7. You know where all the food hot spots are on campus and where the nearest Starbucks is in correlation with your class schedule. You also know which places you can count on to deliver past 1 a.m.
8. You get the occasional, "You should really start figuring out what you want to do with your major" or "What's your career path going to be?" You know they're right, but you push it to the back of your brain because you have one or two more years just living in the moment of being a college student, so you're going to take advantage of it!
9. Your college town now feels like home! And those nervous, anxious feelings you experienced as a freshman are replaced with excitement and anticipation to return to living on your own again.
10. You know that no matter what happens, you will make it out alive. The hell of finals week will pass. You WILL make it through that 8 a.m. class after half off Harper's. The amount of homework, papers and exams you have all due on the same day is going to suffocate you, but you'll get through it because you made it through the first time, right?
So get excited to continue this crazy adventure called college.
