Freshman year has its moments, but let’s be real, do you have any idea what’s going on? It’s a chaotic time. By sophomore year, most of us have figured it out (or can at least fool everyone into thinking we have).
1. Living in Southeast (or downtown) vs Living in Lakeshore
This obviously doesn’t apply to everyone, but if you were a Lakeshore girl like me, then you know the struggle of getting to and from ANYWHERE else on campus. It feels like it takes forever to walk home and that’s made even worse when you’re intoxicated. Most people, by sophomore year, are living much closer to State Street and therefore don’t have to walk nearly as far. Thankfully.
2. The Guys
Guys, like most freshmen, go a little crazy in their first year. There’s so much more freedom allocated to everyone on campus, but that doesn’t mean that freshmen boys can’t sometimes (okay, a lot of the time) get on our nerves. Guys, in general, have calmed down a little bit by sophomore year.
3. Established group of friends you know has your back
Freshman year is a lot of fast friendships. You bond with the people on your floor and your roommate. But the truth is, you don’t know them very well during the first few weeks of the semester which can make going out a little intimidating. By sophomore year, most of us have established a great group of friend who you KNOW will carry you home, if need be. Hopefully they won’t need to, but the security of that is there.
4. You’ve learned it’s okay to stay in some weekends
Going out every weekend is a hallmark of freshman year. By sophomore year, you realize it’s okay to stay in and that you’ll probably have a better time there than you will out. Especially in Wisconsin winters when it’s 25 degrees outside and looking cute is made much harder.
5. You know your own limits better
You’ve learned a lot about yourself in your first year of college, including knowing when you’ve had enough. Knowing your own limits makes the next day so much easier on yourself, when you remember how much homework you have to do.
6. Your schedule is way better
You learned why people don’t want an 8:50 class on Friday morning. You learned the hard way. Now, as a sophomore, you can hopefully make your schedule a little easier. Either by having no classes on Fridays, or at least starting later than 8:50.
7. You know not to dress up when you go out
You’ve given up on cute shoes. You know how much walking is involved in going out. There’s no reason to sacrifice your foot comfort for a Saturday night out. When you’re waiting in line for a slice of Ian’s, you’ll be so happy you skipped the stilettos.
8. You’re probably not in the dorms anymore, which means a bigger bed to crash into at 2AM
What’s worse than trying to crawl into your twin, extra-long LOFTED bed? Hopefully you have a bigger mattress that is easier to get into and accommodates your need to sprawl.
9. You know people across campus so when you need a place to stay, you’re golden
You made a lot of friends during freshman year that are now spread all over campus. You know they’ll let you crash on their couch if you really need to.
10. You know going out with your girls is more fun than trying to hook a guy and you embrace a GNO.
Going out with a group of girls with the intention of staying together all night and just having a good time is ALWAYS fun. There’s nothing more fun than just dancing with your girls (and this way, you know you’ll get home safe because they’ll walk you home).
Freshman year is always fun, but sophomore year is where it really gets better. You figured out how to balance a social life with your academic responsibilities, which can be hard during the first year. You’ve learned all the tricks for going out and that makes your experiences so much better.