As I write from a sophomore’s perspective, looking back on my freshman year I reflect on all of the transitions that have occurred from then until now. As a freshman I was invincible, but now I am a “changed woman.” Yes I still have my freshman flair but it doesn’t burn like it used to. The top five transitions that you will most likely experience from freshman year to sophomore year are:
1. Wanting a relationship… Yes, the “R” word.
I love being single and always have, but something serious, almost tragic, happened to me this year. I have a desire for a boyfriend, a relationship: a yearning for romance. And wow, let me tell you, this was so not a thing last year. I never thought I would want a relationship until at least senior year and I know I can talk for a vast majority of college students. But hey, random hook ups are only fun for so long. As you mature, you will notice a desire for stability and consistency in your life that you didn’t necessarily need before.
2. Only being able to rally two out of seven nights versus five out of seven nights.
I am ashamed to admit it, but my body just cannot handle nearly what it used to. You see a steady decrease in going out and wanting to party every chance possible, instead you start to focus on the more important things in college, such as, studying. I am all about going out with friends, but there is a point where you need to settle down and realize there actually is a lot more to college then just the party scene. But beware, there always is the FOMO factor you need to watch out for!
3. WINE.
Wine is a staple food group now. You drink it casually when doing homework, watching Netflix or playing Cards against Humanity. My pallet has grown an increasing liking for wine and yours will too. Wine has a sense of maturity that naturally comes with it. There’s nothing a glass of wine can’t fix.
4. Intellectual conversations.
Intelligence is intriguing. You will notice the intellectual differences in casual conversations with friends, family, professors and acquaintances. Of course you have your typical elevator discussion every now and then, but you will notice discussing what you learned in class and applying it to your everyday life or debating political views. Freshman year is all about the social scene. Everyone wants the latest gossip updates: who cheated on who, who shacked with who, how “drunk” you were last weekend. As a sophomore I am incredibly impressed with how intelligent my friends are and the level of intellect that we apply to our everyday conversations.
5. Welcome to the real world…
Sophomore year second semester especially, is all about job fairs, interviews, internship applications and forming your path toward your future. It’s no longer “When I grow up…” It’s “Where do I see myself in two years?” This can be scary for some, but also extremely exciting. This year is vital for finding an internship that could potentially lead to your first full time job out of college.
