PART I: SOPHOMORE YEAR

I was talking with a friend of mine about the peculiar nature of sophomore year, and he described it to me like a Tuesday. It makes perfect sense to me. We've lost all our energy from the weekend, and the excitement/fear of Monday has passed. There's not much to look forward to except for Wednesday and maybe Thursday, but that's still a ways away from the weekend. It's kind of like turning 19. You've already been an "adult" for a year, you're still a teenager, you can't legally drink, not much has changed other than the number after the 1.

When I asked my roommates how they would describe Sophomore Year, these are the responses I got:

"Rough..."
"Tough..."
"Soggy..." (this one was specific to the weather at the time I asked the question)
"My bed and I have been apart for too long."
"Stressful, unpredictable, and long."

We've survived the Freshman Frenzy. Now we're in the midst of the Sophomore Slump. Wish us luck.

There are some great things about sophomore year, though. We don't have to learn how to navigate campus or live in freshman dorms or awkwardly introduce ourselves to that kid in our First Year Seminar because we're terrified of being alone for the rest of out lives. We're mostly done with our CORE, we're a little more comfortable talking to our professors, and now we know where to get good food off campus when we get sick of the dining hall.

PART II: SCREENPLAYS

I LOVE MOVIES! Not all movies, of course, but the idea of the cinema mesmerizes me. The power they have! My gosh. Last year I took a class on the history of film and we watched Apocalypse Now...holy cow. I had to take a walk after class because I wasn't mentally or emotionally stable enough to speak to anyone. Could you imagine creating a movie that had the power to affect someone like that?

We've been working on deconstructing movies in my screenwriting class, and it is truly fascinating. It's like a really complicated multiple-course meal that must be constructed in such a way that not one ingredient is forgotten, not one mixing bowl left empty, and not one turkey under-cooked. The meal has to be presented traditionally and originally, and the food has to nourish and taste good. It has to be good enough that you remember it years later.

Let's eat!

PART III: SINGERS

I went to see Jon Bellion last weekend with a few friends. I know I've written an article about him already, but I just wanted to restate my love for him. As soon as he came on stage, the atmosphere totally changed. He brings such a raw creativity to the world. I got chills when he sang songs like "Hand of God" with such passion and power. He told us about his journey as an artist and how even his family didn't want him to pursue certain artistic endeavors, but he did it anyway. And it's made all the difference.

I guess this just relates back to my go-to theme: creativity. It is so essential to the world we live in, and if you try to support this logically you'll probably fail, but logic is almost irrelevant when talking about the necessary nature of creativity. And there's no better way I know how to express this. I could very well be flat out wrong, but that doesn't seem to matter to me right now.

Even now, I'm listening to the Peaceful Piano soundtrack on Spotify as I write this. The power it has over me! Music is like weather—there's just no denying its superiority, magnitude, or strength. They can both change and create worlds. Literally and figuratively.

PART IV: EPILOGUE

I know this was a very random coagulation of topics, but I couldn't decide on just one. I hope you all see a great movie soon or listen to some powerful music or eat a fabulous meal or read an inspiring book or look up at the sky and realize how wonderful life can be.

PART V: REMEMBER THESE REMARKS

School is important, yes, but it is not a life or death situation. Grades are important, but they don't always determine your future. You do not have to conform to society's expectations. Life is something to enjoy, and we have so much to be grateful for. If you're stressed, be stressed. If you're angry, be angry. If you're ecstatic, be ecstatic. If you're tired, go to bed. You are human! Do you know what that means? I don't, but I do know humans can be pretty amazing. You have a body, a brain, and a heart. You're off to a good start. Live long and prosper.