Okay class of 2019, we are about to embark on our second year as promising young University students. I urge you to take a second and think back to a year ago. Where your life was then and where it is now, how you felt before the start of your adulthood then and how you feel about getting into the thick of college now. It may only be a year difference, but I think it is safe to say the way we approached the beginning of school as Freshman has changed drastically from the way we approach our Sophomore year.
Packing
Freshman: So after evaluating all of your incredibly valid pins on Pinterest of dorm DIY, college wardrobe necessities and University life must-haves you have compiled an expansive list of everything you need separated into categories listed by relevance. You already have everything you need (including your handy desk lamp and table fan). You are ready to move in!
Sophomore: You still haven't completely unpacked from the end of Spring quarter, your room is a mess of confusion and indecision and you have made no list of things you need. Instead you are hoping that just taking everything you didn't unpack back to school will give you enough to get through the first few weeks. Hopefully your sheets are in there.
School Supplies
Freshman: You love the smell of fresh notebooks and binders that you are TOTALLY going to need. Ooh, and now you get to buy college textbooks. They are all so fancy and have so much information in them. I can't wait for school to start so I can start using my books!
Sophomore: Instead of buying your textbooks this year you decide to take your money elsewhere. Like for food and makeup money. Only the essentials for fall quarter.
Budget
Freshman: You already went over your daily spending amount for the next quarter. You plan on keeping everything in check as not to run out of money.
Sophomore: So you dropped a hundred-fifty bucks on an unplanned shopping spree and to deal with the stress afterwards you went and treated yourself to some Starbucks. It's okay, if you just don't eat for the first two weeks of the school year then you will basically be back on track for your "budget".
New People
Freshman: You absolutely cannot wait to make new friends. Looking through the Schools App to see your future peers is so exciting. You was going to be your new best friend?! Maybe you'll even meet a cute guy or girl on the first day.
Sophomore: You're content with the friends you got and the idea of social interaction with people who don't already understand you completely doesn't sound like the best time. All you want at this point is to take your pants off in familiar company, watch a little bit of Friends and not have to make small talk about majors and the weather.
Course Schedules
Freshman: Every course looks interesting. You want to take them all. It's okay though that you can't this quarter, you have so much time to explore!
Sophomore: You're starting to realize that messing around last year "exploring" and "experiencing" different classes has left you in quite a bunch. Will you fulfill all prerequisites to apply for your major in time? Maybe. Will you graduate in the planned four years? Hopefully.
Outlook On College Life
Freshman: This is the start of the rest of your life. You are so thrilled.
Sophomore: It'll be okay, probably. Woo.
Good luck class of 2019, I will you all a glorious second year!