5 Lessons I've Learned From Sophomore Year
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Student Life

5 Lessons I've Learned From Sophomore Year

This school year has been difficult, exhilarating, trifling, and wonderful all at the same time.

Bryana Woodson
Apr 30, 2019
Longwood
70
Personal Photo
Bryana Woodson

People have no problem telling you college will be hard. The summer before my freshman year, I had a ton of supportive advice from those around me, but they were also honest about the hardships that come with higher education. And I couldn't be more grateful for their candor. The truth is, freshman year was hard at points but I was making new friends and there always seemed to be something to do. It wasn't until this year when I moved into an apartment off-campus that I truly got a taste of the "adult life," and it's taught me a lot. As the school year comes to a close for me, I want to share just a tidbit of what I've come to know as truth:

1. Never, I repeat NEVER, write or say anything out of anger. 

This always gets people in trouble. When we're mad or hurt, we tend to pay less attention to the things that come out of our mouths. It just goes straight from our heart to our head and out into the world through what we say. And then it's too late to take it back. Even if what you say in anger is based on truth, if you haven't given yourself enough time to breathe, you most likely shouldn't even open your mouth.

2. Friends will come and go, and that's okay.

In college, it's bound to happen that some friends from freshman year stay and some go. It's nothing personal or offensive, we just start hanging out with other people or join separate clubs and we see less of each other. But we still like each other's Insta posts and keep up with the big news!

3. Living off-campus has its perks and setbacks.

While it's awesome to have my own room and feel like a truly independent adult, I do miss dorm life. My freshman hall was AWESOME. I had so many friends right outside my door and we could hang out at all hours if we wanted. Technically, we could still do that now, but we all live in different places around the apartments and in other dorms so it's harder to coordinate hanging out. It takes planning now instead of just knocking on someone's door a few feet away.

4. Being away from my parents can SUCK sometimes.

I don't know about my friends, but I was always super close to my parents growing up. They would tell you were a little too close because I was SUPER introverted. I went to school, did stuff with my church, and came home. Since I've been at college, I am much more outgoing and it's easier for me to talk to new people now, but I still miss my parents a lot.

5. Do your stuff beforehand!

Normally, I wouldn't consider myself a procrastinator, however, college might've changed that. By the spring semester, my resolve to do everything ahead of time usually disappates. It always gets done on time, but I try to remind myself every weekend to get some homework finished before the week starts so that I won't be as stressed then.

Those are five of the biggest things I'll take away from this year, even though there are plenty more that I haven't mentioned!

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
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