At the start of freshman year, I was extremely excited. I couldn’t wait to meet new people, begin interesting classes and have a surplus of freedom. Then again, what college freshman isn’t excited to start -- what is said to be -- the best years of their life? Needless to say, after being so enthusiastic about starting freshman year, I couldn’t imagine being even more excited to start sophomore year. Although going to college freshman year is great, returning to college sophomore year is even better, and here’s why:

1. Seeing Old Friends

You may have a few college friends that live in the same home town as you, but unfortunately, you’re not going to be able to see everyone that you made such a strong connection with over the summer. Sure, in the moment, it’s a bummer, but that’s what makes going back to school twice as exciting. You get to see all of the people you missed over the summer, and not just for one day, but for months on end. Seeing those people and rekindling those connections once again is part of what makes the return to college that much better.

2. Actually “Getting It”

Freshman year is a struggle on so many levels: you’re not really sure how to study for tests, you don’t exactly know where all of your classes are and you contemplate whether or not going out on a school night is actually a good idea. The good news? Sophomore year, you don’t have to worry about any of these things! Once you get back on campus, you already know what study methods work for you and which buildings your classes will be in.

3. Having Complete Freedom

OK, so you already experienced this one freshman year, and maybe even a little bit over the summer, but there’s nothing like going back to college and knowing that you’ll have this sense of freedom once again. Some parents may ease up during the summer months due to the fact that you survived your first year of college, and others won’t. Not to worry though: once sophomore year begins, your total freedom comes back full circle. But maybe set a spending limit on your credit card this year…

4. A Replenished Bank Account

Which brings me to number four, and perhaps one of the most important -- money. You spend roughly two whole months out of your three-month summer working so that when you go back to school, you can buy the food you want and not have to pregame so hard before going out. It’s great! That is until you realize your spending methods didn’t get any more developed than they were your first year. So spend that money you earned, but be mindful of how much you’re spending. Remember, you have a whole year ahead of you.

5. Not Being A Freshman

If you’re going to be a freshman and you’re reading this, I promise I am making this seem much worse than it actually is. Still, we all know how much it sucked being a freshman at the beginning of the year. Going back to number three on the list, you just don’t really get it. You are still getting in the swing of things and even worse, you don’t really know where you stand in terms of who you are going to be friends with. But sophomore year, you don’t have to worry about this! Odds are that you found your friend group, or at least the type of people you want to hang out with, by the end of freshman year, and now you get to go back and jump right into things. You may not be the alpha of the school, but you have certainly developed a stronger standing.

6. Knowing How/What To Eat and Drink

Yes, the freshman 15 is a real thing. It doesn’t impact everyone, and I consider myself one of the lucky few that wasn’t infected by this horrible--shall we say --college disease, but nonetheless, many first-year college students do succumb to the powers of the endless food in the dining hall and surplus of Burnett’s at parties. Sophomore year, however, we have learned a thing or two. We now know that drinking every night of the week and ordering late-night pizza probably isn’t the best way to maintain that summer body we worked so hard to achieve. Additionally, you aren’t the lost little freshman you were the year before who thought that their 130-pound body could withstand eight shots back-to-back. You could say you’ve learned a thing or two, and now you’re ready to get right back where you left off and actually know what you’re doing.

It goes without saying that, while freshman year may have been fun, sophomore year will be even better. Between seeing old friends and being able to come home at whatever time your heart desires, you truly are going to be living the life you have missed for the last three months. But don’t take it all for granted. You may have survived one year of this, but now you have one more to power through.

So for all of the returning sophomores: congratulations on surviving year one, and best of luck on making it through this one too…