Freshman year of college was arguably one of the best years of my life so far. I got to do so many things and put myself out there is ways I didn't think were possible for me. I met so many new people and I met one of my best friends during freshman history. Then, summer rolled around and I went to Florida to live with my grandparents and work two jobs.

Summer came and summer went. And I moved to my place off campus and I celebrated finally moving out of the dorms and finally living off campus. If freshman year was so good, then sophomore year had to be even better, right? Well, little did I know that I was in for one of the rudest awakenings of my life.

Classes increased in difficulty. I had to study harder. Friends I made during freshman year had started doing other things. Even the best friend I had made (we're still best friends though. Just a little insider note.) had started doing his own thing. All of a sudden, I started feeling something I hadn't felt all freshman year, but it is a feeling that I am all too familiar with: loneliness.

I didn't have a name for it at the time but I found out the name for this later: the sophomore slump. According to the University of Central Arkansas, the "sophomore slump" can be defined as a "period of developmental confusion where students may face difficulties in academic, social, and personal development." And honestly this definition is absolutely spot on in my case. I was confused as to why when I would go out and do things that I didn't get that same thrill that I did freshman year.

For a good majority of sophomore year, I felt miserable. I didn't understand why and I felt like I was the only one that was feeling the way I did. Those feelings didn't get me hurt or anything. I just felt... empty.

Then, sophomore year ended and that summer is when my luck began to change. I made new good friends that have turned into great friends. I worked at a place that lets me do what I love. I learned a lot of things. I went to Argentina for two weeks. Overall, it was a fantastic summer!

So, here's my advice for those students that are experiencing the "sophomore slump" or those students that might experience this next school year.

You will make it.

You aren't alone. Fight through and make it to the end of the year because the other side of the sophomore slump is absolutely beautiful.