About a year ago I was a nervous freshman, excited but apprehensive about living hundreds of miles away from home. The first few weeks of college can be discombobulating for anyone; every decision you make seems like life or death, from who you sit next to in class to what you do on Friday nights. Now, as an incoming sophomore, my outlook about going back to school is far more excited than nervous, for the following reasons.

I'm no longer a clueless freshman.

Even if you go to a small school like me, navigating your campus during your first weeks can be a struggle. By now, I know where to go and how to form an efficient daily routine. I have my favorite places to study and I know what time the bookstore will be the least busy.

Seeing my friends.

It seems like I've been counting down the days until I can see my school friends again from the moment I left campus. It's hard going from hanging out with your friends every day, to not at all for over three months.

Better classes.

Freshmen are usually the last to pick classes, which can result in many unwanted early mornings and random subjects that you may not be interested in at all. As a sophomore, it's easier to get into classes you're actually excited about taking, and ones in your major. Also, being able to sleep in most mornings is a huge benefit.

Getting involved.

As a freshman, it's easy to be overwhelmed by the amount of extracurricular activities you have the chance to be involved in. Many freshmen saddle themselves with too many activities, on top of classes, work, and social life, and this can be anxiety-producing. Some don't sign up for any because they are overwhelmed by other aspects of college life. Sophomore year is a chance to get involved with extracurriculars you know you can make time for, and that fall into your interests.

Sophomore year is a fresh start.

Everyone makes mistakes, especially during freshman year when everything is so new. Whether there's a class you did poorly in, or you regret the group of friends you had first semester, everything is a learning experience. Sophomore year means putting the past in the past and moving forward. It's a time to create new goals for yourself and look forward to the future.