I am sitting at work. Let me paint a picture:

Bookshelves that reach the ceiling. A mural of Roman architecture. Ikea brand couches and coffee tables. Doors to offices and professors sitting in those offices. The murmur of student-teacher meetings incessantly numbing my mind.

I work in my college's Classics Department office. I basically sit in here and do homework until one of the professors bequests a task of me, such as printing out quizzes, picking up packages, or returning books to the library.

I have been awake since 8:00am. I ate, exercised, showered, and walked back and forth to the library twice already returning books. None of these tasks have been exceptionally taxing, however, it is half-way through spring semester of sophomore year and I am struggling everyday to trudge through the literal and figurative mountains of snow.

Ever heard of the "Sophomore Slump?" Well, like the "Freshman Fifteen," it is a legitimate symptom of being a college student. This year has been one giant cluster, from accidentally consuming one of my allergens, to having roommate troubles and moving twice, to getting mono, to the flu, to struggling with my sport and academics.

Now it is mid April and last weekend was a blizzard. Just what I need to top of the mud pile of a year! I can feel myself beginning to get sick again: achy throat, runny nose, swollen lymph nodes, exhaustion... Again, just what I need!

I am itching for sun exposure, vitamin D, warmth, rest, sleep, adventure. The only thing helping me cope is knowing that my friends are suffering with me. That sounds awful, but, like they say, misery loves company. Friends during this time of disaster are truly what make the bad times worth and the good times even better. I have never been the kind of girl to have a true best friend. I have always had a group of friends, or several close friends, but never one person I can confidently say is solely mine. My soul mate in friend form.

I found that this year, and I think I have the sophomore slump to thank. Without all the terrible things happening, we never would have grown so close and strengthened our friendship. Things are still happening and we are still growing stronger and that is why I love her.

I credit my survival this semester to her. She is getting me through, helping me cope, keeping me sane. And I am trying to do the same things for her. That kind of dependence and trust is way more valuable than any college education.

My advice to any rising sophomores is this: when life bogs you down, hold onto the raft of friendship. Cheesy and ever, I know, but I'm just saying that your real friendships will find you and your real friends will stay. When school becomes overwhelming, rely on them to remind you that there are more important things in life than a piece of paper with a degree on it.