The sophomore slump is a real thing. Don't be fooled. Urban Dictionary even defines this well-known phenomenon: "during a college student's sophomore year, their GPA drops after having a high GPA from their freshman year." Being very focused on academics and always, always in the top of my class, this hit of reality really affected me. I don't know about you, but I attest to being hit by the sophomore slump and not even in academics, but emotionally and mentally. The most mind blowing issue of my sophomore year coming to a close is that I'm actually half way done with college... what?

Dear sophomore year self,

Academics are important. But do not beat yourself up if you find yourselves in the sophomore slump: unsure of a major, a decrease in GPA, maybe some failed relationships. So what if you got a bad grade, so what if you do not know what you want to do after college (you have two years to figure it out) and so what if that boy was not who you thought he was? We have all been there. An old adage, "what's meant for you will not pass you." Take everything with a grain of salt. Do not let insignificant and menial things get to you. Will you really remember what you got on your Calculus final, or that boy who hurt you when you're married with kids?

Enjoy your time at college. I can attest that sometimes I get caught up in needing to study and trapping myself in the library; then I regret those things that are happening around me. I skip the activity or the sports event to study. Remember to study, but make time for the fun things, too. Find your happy medium. College is only four years. Make it worth your while.

Sophomore year. There are two more years left. You are halfway through. This is what freaks me out the most. Two more years until the real world. Two more years until you're on your own and hopefully, working and making your own money. It's crazy to think about. You will be done being a kid with more and more responsibilities and in for a major reality check.

I read a book in my Philosophy class that really stressed that if you do not change by the time you graduate college, you did college completely wrong. Whether it be emotionally, mentally, physically or cognitively... you should mature into a different person in some way or form whatever you take that to be. College is meant to change you, meant for you to find yourself. Think about it: you are 18 years old to 22 years old, living away from your parents for the first time in your life on your own to make your own decisions and you are finally in charge of yourself to make your own choices, good or bad. And if those choices go awry, it's up to you to fix it. You will be exposed to different types of people and different things. College is one big life experience that will affect you in more ways than one. It is up to you and only you, to find your place and to make the most of the four years. It is up to you to have what they say are the best four year of your life and do it to change yourself, but for you and only you.

"Remember that life is full of ups and downs. Without the downs, the ups would mean nothing."