Sophomore year; a whirlwind of ups and downs, some days more than downs than ups. Luckily the ups made it all worth it. Looking back, I saw that it was a pretty good year, and hopefully, the luck keeps coming next year. So to coincide my obsession with lists, here are 11 things that have changed me for the better this year:
1. I'm a sophomore... hold on, what?
I'm still shocked that I made it this far. Apparently all these all-nighters somehow benefited me. But now I have a whole new year of tuition to pay, and a whole new course load to deal with. Welcome to sophomore year! Oh, by the way, it's internship time, so let's get those resumes started!
2. Two words: rock bottom
Yup, I found it, and sadly there's no gold down there. I did find a lot of realizations and observations. I am very grateful that it was right before spring break, so I could deal with it on my own, and not have school in the back of my mind.
3. Real friends
I'm half tempted to put in 'Hannah Montana's/Miley Cyrus' song "True Friends" in this area, but I think a gif will have to do it justice. I came into sophomore year with some friends that, to be honest, I did not believe I would keep. Boy, was I wrong! I ended up finding out that these friends will stick with me to the end, and back me up til the end of time.
4. Lost friends
While I found some real friends, I also lost some. While it is never fun to lose a friend, the day may come when enough is enough. It may seem like it is hard not to go and text them every time you have good news, but then you can go back to your real friends, and talk to them about how many times One Direction is going to break up before actually breaking up.
5. Inspiration
There is the whole classic quote by Confucius 'Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.' This year I think I found my passion; my inspiration is with food. Luckily being in my major of Landscape Architecture, I can combine those two passions and create a job I love to do.
6. Adventure
There were so many adventures this year between visiting Chicago and New York, and there are enough inside jokes to go on for years. With Chicago, I was fortunate to bring some people that recently graduated with me so that I could hang out with them one last time. New York surprisingly helped me with my inspiration of what I would like to do with my life. If I can afford it, I would love to end up living in a city and running my business there.
7. Less is more
This was my first semester that I only took 14 credits, as I usually take 18. Taking 14 was one of the better things I could do this semester. Not only could I focus more on those classes, but I could also focus on myself, and the activities that I have neglected for a while.
8. A-Day
This event is my second time at A-day, but my first time helping to run it. First off, I do have to give credit to the A-Day executive team; they put in so much work for a three-day state fair. Being a part of A-day is almost a given at Del Val. Being able to help run the mini-golf course this year was an experience I'll never forget.
9. The Odyssey
Last month, I had the amazing opportunity to start writing for Delaware Valley University's chapter of The Odyssey, and it has been one the best things to happen to me this year. I will not only be reaching out to the readers of my school, but to the world. This event is a big thing for me, as it will help express my views on today's current topics.
10. To the incoming sophomores
My advice to the incoming sophomores is to have fun. While it is understandable to want to get straight down to business, please remember to have fun. It's your second year of college; the first year jitters have come and gone, and now it is time to make it worth it. Pick the classes that you want to take, choose the clubs that only sound interesting to you, and do what makes you happy this year.
11. Here's to the juniors
The third year of college is here; we have almost made it! This year I hope to find myself a little more and truly decide if this is what I want to do, and if so how do I get there. To everyone else: find yourself. If that requires breaking off some toxic friendships or forming even closer ones, you need to tighten that bond as you head into your junior and senior year.
