The excitement of college has officially moved on to the next group of eager Freshman. Welcome to Sophomore year, my biggest, unexpected curveball yet. College was an adjustment last year, but I handled it with "grace". Nights were spent in the library, but not to the point of crying on the tables in Library West. Stress was always lurking, but I was always ready to kick it down and take on the day. College was freeing and empowering. I had a great, relaxing summer at home and was excited to start my second year.
Hello New Life. This year I finally began the classes that were relevant to my major. The days of sitting in pointless pre-requisites and being handed easy A's were over. These classes force me to be serious about planning for the future, which in my case means 6 hour news room shifts every week. What am I doing? I have no idea. I'm now in the "sink or swim" portion of my life. I have no idea what's going on ever, but I have to keep up.
Freshman year you are coddled in your classes that are required of you. Sophomore year is when you're truly on your own. This isn't always a bad thing. Succeeding in a task now is much more rewarding. It's validation that I'm on the right track. I take more pride in my work, and want to do well in what's asked of me.
I know that I'm not the only major or year out there that is now in a totally new life. Different majors become real at different times, and I'm here to tell you that it's okay to have your mid-college freak out. It's okay to wonder if you've chosen the right path and it's okay to call your mom happy crying after a really good day.During this time, it's best to take it one step at a time. Don't try to get your entire life together in one day. You'll stress yourself out even more. Take it one day at a time, and take pride in the little accomplishments along the way. Keep your future in sight, it will keep you in the race for the long-run.
You're not alone. Join me in my weekly freak outs in the library where I question my every decision. I will support you. Kick that exam's butt, slay that internship and keep your future in mind! You got this, as long as you keep yourself motivated. College is not the time to have your life together, it's the time to figure it out.
