Dear sophomore year,

As a freshman, I waited anxiously for you to arrive. During the summer, I begged that you would be late. And, now that you are almost gone, I am constantly torn between wanting to hold on a little longer and just wanting to be done already.

You have presented a variety of challenges. Academically, you caused me to work harder than I ever have. Between having 19 credits in one semester, having to overcome roadblocks in each class and striving for grades I can be proud of, you took a lot out of me these past few months. But I battled valiantly and I learned something from each trial, even if I didn’t come out on top.

Personally, you brought some ups and downs. The heartbreak I suffered through and the friends I lost have taken a toll on me. Losing people from your life that you truly cared about will never be easy. But you have also shown me the brighter side of things. I have built new relationships I never would’ve expected, and I grew as a person because of it. I have had the opportunity to step back from my life and really be honest about who I want to be and who I want to help me get there. They say that we are the average of the five people we spend the most time with. And, for my sake, I really hope that’s true because I would be damn lucky to be that amazing of a person.

Through all the uphill battles, you have been emotionally stressful. Every day I don’t know whether to cry or scream or punch a wall, so I usually just go to sleep instead. It is a lot to feel so incredibly overwhelmed and to lack the opportunity for relief from any of it. But I have had people who have helped me tear away from the stress, even if only for a moment, and they have saved me from your terror. And you have shown me how to appreciate the quiet moments – the relaxation of being prepared or the comfort of taking a break – and how to enjoy them while I can.

I have grown as a person, thanks to you, because I have learned how to seize opportunities. You took me on a study abroad trip to Spain and got me a job as a tour guide on campus. You showed me the potential I have to really excel in life, and how sometimes all it takes to get there is saying "yes’" no matter how scared you might be. There are a lot of opportunities in life that we are often too scared to take on, and I think you have helped me take steps to be more confident in attacking these chances head-on.

As you come to a close, I am terrified about the fact that your end also marks the halfway point of my college career. The thought of being a junior in college is terrifying because I am at a point where I really need to figure out what I want to do with the rest of my life. But I owe you a lot of thanks for showing me that. Even if I don’t always believe it, I am ready to take on the future.

I hope you treat all of those after me with the same tough love.

Sincerely,

A college sophomore ready for summer