The Sophomore Slump: Is it a myth or fact? | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

The Sophomore Slump: Is it a myth or fact?

We've all heard about it by now, but how are you supposed to tackle it?

908
The Sophomore Slump: Is it a myth or fact?

After barely escaping the senior-itis of high school, doe-eyed college freshmen are often completely blindsided by the collegiate version of this kind of student "disease."

The daunting "Sophomore Slump" is a sort of pre-destined explosion of feeling lost and confused in the second year of college. For me, I thought I was past these bouts of despair. No more junior year SAT prep madness and no more senior laziness.

That was my mistake.

School is school and it'll probably be grueling at any given point in your educational career. In college, you're consistently stuck in lecture halls or study rooms for most of your week. By the end, work has consumed you.

Education is portrayed as a necessary evil, especially when the expectation that you'll do well is rising.

It is increasingly common for those entering their sophomore year to lose interest in pursuing their dreams once coming to terms with the fleeting nature of college but there are some programs trying to help that, according to a 2013 New York Times article. They compare the sophomore population to "overlooked middle children" and honestly I understand the comparison.

Gone are the days of being the naive freshman student so eager to learn, a hardened and (hopefully) more mature exterior left in its stead. No more extracurricular clubs chasing to recruit you or advisors and teachers lending helping hands to make sure you're prepared for every single one of your classes.

First semester of sophomore year was off and running before I could even process it fully. My schedule was pretty packed and to top it all off I was taking the supposed hardest journalism class at my school. At moments I felt extremely lost and I questioned whether I even wanted to pursue this as my career.

I mean, if I couldn't crack it in one of the first "real" courses, could I even make it in a real newsroom?

Things worked out in the end annd I passed, but getting to that point was the true battle. After many cans of energy drinks and a few breakdowns, I made it through the first semester without letting the slump completely destroy me.

However, what I came to realize is that I was not alone in this struggle. It seemed that every sophomore I knew at my school (as well as others) were experiencing similar thoughts. I hadn't even heard of the Sophomore Slump until this year but it was becoming a growing presence in my life.

After looking into it, I discovered that this feeling is not exclusively for sophomores. Students can actually fall into these low-energy and motivation pits according to this Psychology Today opinion piece at really any point. This professor says that just because things went well for you as a freshman, you shouldn't just fall behind in your efforts to continue to succeed in the folllowing semesters.

Freshman year was a breeze and I think that it's sort of purposely set up that way. College is definitely on a different level of difficulty than high school.

But when your high school teachers tell you that your professors won't be as lenient as them, take that with a grain of salt. Because while, yes, you can't really miss a hard 11:59 deadline for an assignment, I've never had a professor who has not tried to help a student succeed.

Professors are people too everyone.

While it's still a little early to say so, the Sophomore Slump is definitely starting to wave it's angry head again. I feel a lot more tired and I'm counting the days until the next break. But it's hard to differentiate my second semester laziness and any kind of genuine disinterest with what I'm doing.

I wish I could say I had some all encompassing magic answer, I don't really have one. If I'm goinng to be honest, my own fear of failure is what's keeping me from slipping. The reality that college will be done in two more years is terrifying and if I don't do well now, what will be in store for me past those steps at graduation.

Right now, all I do know is that I feel passionately about the major that I'm pursuing. While I may have those wavering doubts at times, I don't think I'm completely lost to the slump's clutches.

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.

196900
 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

18860
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...

460894
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.

28320
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