Ah, college. Many people dreamed about and worked hard to get into this place. It seems as though much of the appeal of college comes from the idea that it's a place where life really happens. For a lot of people, college means more independence from parents, meeting new people, and learning things you actually want to learn. That may be all true at first, but once freshman year is over, the adrenaline that once came from meeting new people and experiencing new things dwindles... and the fear of possibly not fulfilling what you actually want to do in life kicks in. And that's when the sophomore slump really begins.
But fear not! If done right, sophomore year can be just as exciting as freshman year, making the sophomore slump null and void. Here are some tips on how to avoid the sophomore slump.
1. Study abroad.
Out of all the tips, this may be seen as the "easy way out," but it is a solution nonetheless! Coming into sophomore year, you might have some gen-eds you still have to get out of the way, and a lot of study abroad programs offer courses to fulfill those needs. There are also plenty of programs that provide classes specific for your major. Plus, you get the added bonus of studying somewhere that doesn't involve over-crowded libraries or noisy dorm rooms.
2. Take advantage of the Advising Office.
Most colleges don't require students to declare a major at first, but may require you to do so by the end of your second year. This task can be daunting for a lot of students, and it sometimes can be the main factor of stress for sophomores. What these students don't realize is that there's a place that will help you out with those specific types of problems. That place is usually called the advising office. There, students can meet with counselors who will help guide them to a major based on their interests and other factors. This helps students so they don't have to deal with the decision alone.
3. Be social.
As a freshman, meeting new people almost every day seemed to be a normal phenomenon. But once the school year ends, friend groups are pretty much established and the unwritten rule of "stick with your clique" is in place. But, it can be easy to get bored of the same people you hang around every day. Soon, the longing to be surrounded by new faces begins to grow. Don't be afraid to take opportunities that involve interacting with people you hardly know, and who knows? You can possibly meet your next BFF.
4. Get involved.
It can be easy for incoming sophomores to have the "seen all, know all" mentality after finishing up their first year of college. And sometimes that mentality can come with an unwillingness to stop their Netflix binge-watching marathon and get out of bed. But being cooped up in your living area far too long can lead to missing out on opportunities to do something more for your school. There are a lot more things sophomores can get into than freshman, as sophomores already get the idea of how everything works. They can join more clubs, be mentors, and possibly leadership positions on campus. This can give sophomores more of a purpose in their college life, which can easily be diminished if they weren't involved in anything.
This may be a short list with some seemingly common sense tips, but take it from someone who just finished their sophomore year! It's easy to get sucked into a slump when you don't realize that you need to change how you live your life. Hopefully these tips also serve as constant reminders that you have a choice to make your sophomore year the best you can be.
