We all know that freshman year can be very exciting because of all the new experiences. And junior year is a blast because you can go abroad and you start looking into internships and real-life jobs. Then there's senior year that is amazing and exciting and very bittersweet because you're reaching an end, but you're also approaching a beginning. And then there's sophomore year...
Sophomore year kinda just seems to sit there. Nothing new. Nothing too exciting. And hence the origin of the term, "The Sophomore Slump." Dun dun dun! That weird year in your life that is not very motivated because it seems like there's not much to look forward to. Just wandering along through life aimlessly.
Wrong. Sophomore year may feel like a weird year because you're not exactly old enough to be a real adult, but you're not young anymore. This may sound kind of negative, but it's actually a good thing!
Socially, you have a much higher "status." You're no longer that annoying freshman (sorry guys, but don't worry, we were all there at some point), so you can have upperclassmen friends without feeling annoying. And you can even hang out with them on weekends, instead of showing up to a stranger's house to stand in your pack of friends and chit chat quietly.
You also probably have to live in an overpriced dorm on campus, but they're a huge upgrade from the freshman year living situation and there was minimal stress about actually finding a place to live.
Sophomore year can be much more useful than anticipated. I like to think of it as the planning year. Without to many obligations, there is a lot of time to plan out the much more stressful future. Utilize your free time sophomore year to plan for study abroad, internships, where you plan on living, and other important things. You should also focus on your schoolwork because better grades can help with these important things in the future.
However, all work and no play doesn't sound like a great way to spend sophomore year, so use some of your free time to have some fun. Take advantage of the knowledge that you gained about your surroundings over freshman year and put them to good use. I don't mean only going to the good parties, but embracing the pretty amazing city we live in. There are many adventures to be had throughout LA and the surrounding cities. Plus, Santa Barbara and San Diego aren't too far away, and they're the perfect destinations for day trips.
Don't be frightened by the term "sophomore slump," and don't let it control your life because it honestly isn't a reality. There are many ways to make your sophomore year more meaningful than an unoriginal alliteration. Myth busted.
