We've all heard of the mythical "Sophomore Slump." It is rumored to occur when one enters the second year of college. The shiny newness of freshman year has worn off, and sophomores arrive back on campus to find a heavier workload and a seemingly unending supply of stress. You're not yet an upperclassmen but you're not the innocent, naïve, and fun-loving freshman you used to be. You're taking classes that are deemed the "weed-outs", the greatest example of the principle of survival-of-the-fittest in college. You're running on little sleep and buckets of caffeine, finding yourself spending all your free time in the library. In a word, you're in a "slump," and it may seem impossible to get out of.
Sophomore year is meant to test your strength, willpower, and perseverance. In difficult times like these, it is important to remember one's self-worth. A mantra is a quote or thought to remember and repeat to yourself when the stress is about to overtake you. It reminds you to keep a positive outlook and hold on to the good things in life. For those experiencing the Sophomore Slump, it is an incredibly useful tool. So here it goes, 5 mantras specifically for the slumping sophomore:
1. "We are perfectly imperfect"
This mantra is actually applicable to any one struggling with the need to achieve perfection. As college students, this need seems to present itself rather often. We want to make perfect grades, land the perfect job, be the perfect friend. That concept of perfection, however, is wholly unattainable and striving to reach it is a fruitless goal. It is important to remember that as humans, we make mistakes. We are NOT perfect, and that is PERFECTLY okay. This mantra reminds us to forgive ourselves for the blunders along the way.
2. "Life goes on"
It may seem that this slump will last forever, that the stress will never end. However, there is a reason that it is called the SOPHOMORE Slump. The very name itself implies that it will come to an end. You will finish your weed-outs classes, you will pass your tests and projects, and you will move on to junior year. The road to get there might be bumpy and riddled with potholes but there is an end to it. And the experience along the way will teach you more about yourself than you ever thought possible.
3. "Treat yourself"
This mantra might seem a bit silly or frivolous but its also very helpful. It is important to remember to have a little fun too. After your difficult final, treat your self to that pint of ice cream you've been dreaming about. Buy a new planner or set of pens to make class time and homework pass a little faster. Take a yoga class, go out to a fancy dinner with your friends, binge watch a season of your favorite Netflix show. Do something that makes you happy and offers some serious stress relief.
4. "Look around you"
One of the best things about returning for sophomore year is getting to see all the friends you missed desperately over summer. Unlike last year, you are coming in with a strong support system. These are the people that you can lean on when the year gets tough, to listen to you rant about the mountain of homework you have and then subsequently procrastinate it all with you. The people who will bring you coffee during cram sessions, make you laugh like crazy, and remind you how much you love college. So "look around you" at all your beautiful best friends that are experiencing the slump right along with you.
5. "Blessed"
This mantra is for the times when the weight of your responsibilities truly hits you. When you are sitting in the library at 5 am, guzzling caffeine and desperately trying to study for your test in four hours. When your schedule is so packed with classes, extracurricular activities, and studying, you haven't had time to relax in weeks. When you are at the breaking point and quitting seems like the only option. This is when it is important to remember how blessed you are to be here. To have access to an amazing education, to be able to learn and better yourself. To be a part of a college community and create relationships that will last a lifetime. The single word "blessed" can so gracefully put everything into perspective.
So there you have it, 5 mantras to get you through the Sophomore Slump. Keep up the hard work, guys. It will all be worth when you walk across that stage in two years.
