Last year, coming into college, I was really hopeful about all the exploring I would do. Moving across the country, I expected to get to know Los Angeles like the back of my hand and to take a plethora of trips. But in reality, between classes, clubs, studying, and settling into freshman year, I managed to live in LA for an entire year without seeing a lot of it. When you’re adjusting to college, it’s sometimes hard to have a spontaneous side quest or even set concrete plans for the weekend. Throughout the year, I began writing a list of places that I wanted to see and things I wanted to do. Everyone says that sophomore year is great, and now that I’ve got a better head on my shoulders, I want to change how little of California I’ve seen.
I love UCLA — I really do — but throughout my freshman year, I often felt trapped within Westwood. With no car, assignments constantly piling up thanks to the quarter system, and something always happening on campus, I would go weeks without realizing I hadn’t traversed further than Trader Joe’s. In my opinion, a big part of college is built on not actually being at college. Spontaneous decisions turn into hours of bonding and inside jokes. Sophomore year is perfect for new experiences — I feel more settled into my friendships, I have better studying habits (kind of …), and I’m prepared to turn my free time into more intentional fun rather than scrolling on my phone. Furthermore, I want to set a budget and spend money on things that matter more to me instead of unnecessary purchases at the student store or taking an Uber to go eat at the same places.
This year, I hope to take more weekend trips and try activities that I’ve always passed off as “not my style.” One of my closest friends has a car this year, so we’ve been planning a trip to San Diego and have already been to brunch somewhere farther away than we would typically venture. Inspired by my freshman year roommate and the big outdoorsy community at UCLA, I also want to dip my toe into backpacking or hiking trips.
I don’t want to spend sophomore year letting opportunities pass me by under the excuse of having to study or just being too tired to get outside. The whole point of college is to do things without overplanning, experiment, and discover new places and hobbies. California has so much to offer, and I want to leave Westwood and see where the wind takes me.