I don’t know if it’s just me, but sophomore year was the time when college got real. Freshman year, everyone is new and mistakes are bound to happen — people are usually pretty understanding of that. Sophomore year, however, is when you’re expected to get it together, leaving us scrambling around in all areas of life. If you’ve heard of the term “sophomore slump,” you'd agree that it's pretty accurate as to what goes down your second year of college, and here are a few things you just might have experienced.
1. Frequent existential crises.
As the gen eds come to an end, it’s time to commit to whatever it is that you want to do for the rest of your life. Sound a bit intimidating? Of course, it does. There’s not one person without a little bit of uneasiness during this time. Which means, it’s time to question everything. “Why am I here? What am I doing with my life?” etc.
2. Questionable means of sustenance.
No longer on that freshman year meal plan, it’s time to fend for yourself a bit more. Finally done with your work, you’re ready for a delicious 10:30 P.M. dinner, only entering your kitchen to remember that you’ve neglected to go grocery shopping. There are limited options available to you at this point, so you are forced to make do with what you have. Good luck making a gourmet dish with white rice, stale white cheddar popcorn and half a jar of peanut butter. (If you need further illustration, let me tell you about the time I snacked on white bread. Plain, white, untoasted sandwich bread. Nothing else.)
3. Feeling tired. All of the time.
Sometimes, those due dates and exams just creep up on you. Whether you’re having late nights or early mornings, the fog in your mind stays thick with wishes of dozing off for just five more minutes. I’ve gotten used to looking like a zombie.
4. Health deterioration.
With a bunch of stress and not enough sleep comes a weakened immune system. It’s hard to keep up with your health sometimes when you also have to keep up with all of your work, your other responsibilities and having a social life. Cold and flu season can become a nightmare. Just a small illness can be completely debilitating and spiral out of control.
5. Constantly feeling like you're forgetting something.
Even when you have down time, there’s always that voice in the back of your head going, “It’s quiet… too quiet.” You’re wondering if there’s another assignment you should be doing or something you’re missing. Slip-ups definitely happen, and when you realize it, your heart drops to your feet.
6. Skipping class to do work for other classes... and then worrying about the class you skipped.
Every once in a while, you just can’t get it together enough to go to class and still manage to get everything done. So, you have to make a sacrifice and skip even if that means getting worried that you’ll be behind. It’s kind of a never-ending cycle.
All that said, sophomore year was a year of some serious growing up, and as long as your surround yourself with good people and remember to take care of yourself, I promise you’ll survive the struggle.
