The 'Sophomore Slump' | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Sports

The 'Sophomore Slump'

How to get through the 2nd year in one piece.

15
The 'Sophomore Slump'

Think back to last year. You were so excited to begin college classes, meet new people, join clubs, and do all kinds of other "fun" things that college students get to do. This year, returning as a sophomore, is drastically different. You feel constantly tired, your homework is piling up before your eyes, and you barely even want to leave your room to get food or go grocery shopping, much less go to class. Lets face it: The only thing you really want to do is lay in bed, watch Netflix, and avoid all of your responsibilities.


What happened here? Why did we lose our enthusiasm to learn, to do homework, and to just enjoy the college lifestyle that we have now become accustomed to? My guess is that while we have gotten accustomed to this college lifestyle, it isn't exciting anymore. Last year, everything was so new (and a little scary at first!), and we were anxious to make new friends in our halls and classes. Now, we have an established group of friends and we know campus like the back of our hands.

Also, classes are now more challenging as we begin to delve further into our majors and minors of study, limiting our free time to relax during the week. Instead of using our free time to hang out with friends and take care of ourselves, we are stressing about the homework, exams, and papers we have due the next day.

How can we fix this problem? How can we learn to manage our time, our social life, our health, and everything else in between while balancing our school work? We need to learn to take time for ourselves. As students, we constantly put everything else before our own physical and mental well-being, and that can be dangerous. School work should not ever come before our own health, and I feel that a lot of students tend to push their own well-being aside most of the time. Take time to yourself and know that it's OK to binge-watch Netflix and lay in bed for a few hours.

.

Along with some alone time, we also need to enjoy the time we have left with our college friends. We only get to experience college once, and once it's over, there is no going back. As sophomores, we're already a quarter of the way done with college, and the time is just going to go by even faster. Savor the time you have left in college.

Go to dinner with friends, take that road trip you've always been talking about but never actually do. Take embarrassing selfies with your friends. Take a trip to the mall on a weekend, treat yourself to Chipotle. Go to football, soccer, rugby, and any other games and cheer on your school while you're still a student. Involve yourself in campus events and activities.

Don't let the amount of school work you have take away from the fun of college. Don't let it rule your life. You can get all of it done; try not to stress about it. Remember this: Your life is not defined by your GPA or whether or not you got on the Dean's List last year. You are not the grade you got on your last exam. There is a balance between school work and everything else we have going on -- the key is to find it. It's OK if you haven't found this balance yet; it will come in time. Until then, know that you can do absolutely anything you set your mind to, whether it's writing a paper, studying for a tough exam, or aiming for a 4.0. You can do all of that and more. Believe in yourself, and everything else will fall into place.

Yes, the sophomore slump is real. But it doesn't have to ruin your year.

.


Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

195938
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

18279
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

460430
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

28060
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments