Surviving the Sophomore Slump

As a freshman, I was warned of sophomore slump. The unfortunate dread that clouds the same tasks you were able to do just one year ago and not being able to live up to the same standards you held for yourself just a few months prior. I didn’t believe it was real. I thought that sophomore year would be a mass improvement from freshman year: no more dining halls, Bursley-Baits buses, not knowing where anything is. The most important thing is that I would feel established. I knew what clubs I was in, what classes I should be taking, and who my friends were. Unfortunately, the moment I stepped foot on campus this year I realized I was less established than I thought. 

I realized that sophomore year was the same classes, friends, and parties as freshman year, but without the carelessness I once held. There was more anxiety over developing your LinkedIn account, having coffee chats, and the most dreaded realization — that you are closer to graduating and needing to be certain about your career path. 

The hardest part is listening to your friends’ full Google Calendars. There is a constant worry that you’re not doing enough and aren’t good enough. The truth is that sophomore year is hard. Getting into new clubs is harder. Finding an internship is hard. Understanding the real responsibilities of college is hard. 

Tackling this impending doom was not part of my plan for this year. As we are halfway through the semester, I have been doing some reflection. Moving forward, I am hoping to find balance. To strive to have the ability to grind on applications and coursework while still making time for fun activities. 

A huge thing I think we can all work on as a sophomore class is not beating ourselves up over having fun. Furthermore, I want to start taking time to do activities that aren’t centered on college. Activities that separate a part of my day from the University campus — whether it be a walk in the Arb, a drive off campus, or just a trip to the cider mill — can help separate my life from being so college focused and breakaway from the toxic non-stop grind method that can come with it. 

Although, allowing myself to have fun means that I must stay locked in. Recently, I have found myself studying at my house too much. It has made the divide between my place of rest and social time be mixed with a place I’m supposed to be working. So, even though the colder months are approaching I am forcing myself to study on campus more frequently. 

Even though, fighting the sophomore slump is not easy. I can’t entirely get rid of the fear and anxiety that come with the unknown regarding what I am supposed to be doing academically. I am trying to make a conscious effort to work toward finding that balance and not giving up on the fun that comes with being a college student. 

• Academic
• career
• grades
• sophomore year
• stress