The Sophomore Slump.
It’s the word for that heavy feeling you get when you realize that the rush of excitement from your freshman year is over, but you have a long way to go before you get the perks of being a senior. It’s that feeling you get when you want to switch your major to eighteen different things, yet you don’t know what you’d do with any of the degrees you would be earning. It’s the inexplicable feeling of stress that sits on your shoulders long after all your schoolwork is done. Symptoms include: fidgeting during long, crowded lecture halls, existential crises, overconsumption of Netflix, and a repeated chanting of, “Cs get degrees,” under the victim’s breath.
It can hit at any time, but sophomores are the most susceptible. Class of 2018, I’m looking at you.
The Sophomore Slump, while scary, can be remedied, though methods work best when used preventatively. My personal experience with the Slump started towards the end of my freshman year, and since then, I’ve spoken with advisors, upperclassmen, and people who generally have their shit together to compile a list of fool-proof strategies for success. I challenge anyone, sophomore or not, who feels stuck in their college career to take these tips and apply them to the new semester, starting with…
1. Dress Like Success, Not a Mess
Listen, I love leggings. Seriously. If you reached into my dresser drawer and pulled out a fistful of clothes, at least fifty percent of what you grabbed would be black cotton leggings. The other half would probably be t-shirts. I completely understand the comfy allure of athletic wear combined with the effortless process of throwing on one of the millions of free t-shirts you get at college, but part of beating the Sophomore Slump entails gaining some self-confidence, and an easy way to achieve that is by dressing the part. You don’t have to look one specific way—it’s all about finding what makes you feel the best and sticking with it. You don’t have to go full 2013 Justin Timberlake and pull out your suit and tie—just find what works right with your personal style, budget, and schedule. Putting in that extra effort in the morning will give you the boost to participate more, both in and out of class.
2. Branch Out With a Purpose
Telling someone to try new things is probably among the most generic advice one can give, but the thing is, it really works. Even if you’re already pretty involved in extracurricular activities, switching things up a little can make a big difference. If you were into fun intramural sports during freshman year, maybe check out leadership opportunities to help you in the future. If you’ve been buried in internships and work experience since you stepped foot on campus, lighten up your schedule by joining the DIY club. The most important part of this tip is to find things that will use your time in a way that helps you. Resume-builders are alright, but the Slump comes with a lot of stress, so excess clubs that you don’t enjoy are just going to bog you down even more.
3. Don’t Be Yourself
This tip ties in with the previous tip, but in a different way. The Sophomore Slump often brings a lot of uncertainty along with it. People get fidgety about their major, the rest of their college career, and what their life is going to look like after graduation. Sometimes, this is a good thing that helps people get on the path they need to be on. Often times, it’s actually just terrifying. In order to fight this, take time to do things that you normally wouldn’t. This doesn’t have to be related to academics or student organizations, and it doesn’t have to be something that will greatly impact your future. Face a fear, take on a new hobby, or do something you’ve always wanted to try but never got around to doing. This tip is more about developing and maintaining your life outside of school in a way that will hold your interest. College is a great time to find who you are, and who that turns out to be may be very different than what you previously imagined.
4. Trim Away the Negativity
One of the worst things you can do when trying to beat the Sophomore Slump is to feed it. And its favorite meal is negativity. This doesn’t necessarily have to come from you—maybe you’re friends with a Debby Downer, or you have a roommate who loves to complain. You don’t have to cut these people out of your life, but learn to recognize how their behavior affects you. There’s science behind this—it’s called the behavioral contagion theory, and it basically means that people act how those around them act. If you’re constantly surrounded by people who are dragging themselves down, you’re going to take yourself down, too. Try limiting your time around them when you need to get things done. Better yet, link them to this article, so they can rise above their own slump.
5. Take Care of You
The tips previously provided are mainly all about keeping busy so the Sophomore Slump doesn’t take you down. In the end, keeping yourself moving is the ultimate way to beat out the sluggish, semi-depressing feeling that plagues so many of our classmates. However, when you push yourself, you can start to wear down easily. Don’t forget to give yourself mini-vacations from the hard work you’re putting in. Procrastinating over Netflix with some pizza is normal for kids our age, and constantly holding yourself to a rigid schedule could do more harm than good if you’re not careful. You also don't have to take this tip alone—check out your campus' counseling center if you need someone to talk to. As always, listen to your mind, body, and spirit, and make sure that you’re helping, and not hurting, yourself.
