Your freshman year has finally come to an end. You are no longer at the bottom of the totem pole! However, the only thing worse than being at the bottom of the totem pole, is being in the middle.
Welcome to sophomore year. The excitement of living on your own is so last year. You made a reputation for yourself and most people in the Greek community know who you are, and you can no longer refer to yourself as a sorority newbie. When boys at the bar ask what year you are, they'll most likely walk away and grab that drink they just bought you -- well aware that you've been there, done that -- and set off for a poor freshman who doesn't know any better. Worst of all, the reality that you should probably start getting your life together hits you hard.
Being a sophomore this year, I have definitely experienced, firsthand, what is best known as the sophomore slump. Although the novelty of everything in college has worn off, and the dilemma of getting your life in order can be a daunting one, sophomore year does not have to suck. Here are six ways to make your middle-child college years rock.
1. Try new things. You've been to all the clubs, know your way around campus, and can name your favorite local restaurants off the top of your head. Newsflash: we live in Orlando -- you can never run out of things to do in this city. Take this year to experience new places and things. If you haven't been to Wekeiwa Springs, take a second and reevaluate your life. This spot is a must! Grab some of your sisters and carpool for the 40 minute drive. Swimming in this beautiful spring will be totally worth it. You can have a picnic, go bike riding, or throw your letters up for some adorable pictures. Nothing in Orlando is as Instagram-worthy as this hidden gem. Another option is taking that $20 per month you spend at the bar and investing in a seasonal theme park pass! Nothing gets you out of a slump better than the happiest place on earth!
2. Reinvent yourself. If you made mistakes last year, you were doing something right. If there is an instruction guide to freshman year, making mistakes is the number one rule. Sophomore year was created for damage control. Now you know that the one guy you were infatuated with is not your future husband, and going out the night before a morning lecture is never a good idea -- no matter how many Advil you take the next morning. You have a year's worth of experience to help you with this year. Madness is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. This is the year to make a new reputation for yourself, and show everyone that you've grown up. Breaking freshman habits can be tough, but definitely worth it.
3. If you're not sure, explore. Pre-requisites are ending, and the future has you panicking. Instead of stressing, use your last year as an undergrad to really do some soul searching and decide what it is that you are passionate about. If you are anything like me, indecisiveness is not only a character trait, but a lifestyle. Use this time as your final months of exploring. Make your class schedule versatile, and take courses in a couple of different areas you think you will love. Follow your heart and you are bound to thrive in at least one of the subjects.
4. Take every opportunity. Now that you are accustomed to college life, it is time to dive in head first. Join clubs, participate in every single philanthropy event possible, and never pass up a social. College is short, and they don't offer themed parties with free transportation out in the real world. Take advantage of it while you still can. School is always your number one priority, but now that you know the tricks of the trade, you should know how to manage your time so you can participate in everything this year has to offer.
5. Surround yourself with the right people. You have had a full year of new faces and making friends. You have an entire pledge class that is going through the sophomore slump with you, so do it together! Be there to support your friends when they need you, and they will do the same for you. Use your older sisters as sources for every question and concern you have. They have been in your shoes, and they have the best advice you can imagine. Use your knowledge from freshman year to guide the younger girls. Share what you wish you would have known a year ago. However, don't overstep your boundaries. Watching your little make the same mistakes you did will hurt, sometimes, but she won't always take your advice.
6. Plan to study abroad. Orlando is a great place to live, but sipping on wine and eating tiramisu in Italy would definitely boost my morale. Getting your life together also means getting your schedule together. At this point, you know what classes you need to take so check out if you can take them overseas. This is the time for you to explore your educational opportunities without being completely lost. Go out there and get cultured!
