(Short Story)
The Sophomore Slump. It's Real.
The sophomore slump is real, I didn't believe it until it hit me.
My freshman year I had a solid plan of what I wanted to do with my life.
I have never not wanted to be a teacher, I have never not wanted to work in a classroom.
Until now.
I sit in all my classes unsure of what I want to do.
I have so much happening and so much to be thankful for but yet this is the most I have ever felt so alone.
1. Get to the library early. Everyone knows that if you roll up to the library in the late afternoon, there will be no tables available. Wake up early and get there before 10 a.m. This ensures you have all day to study and if you're lucky, you might be able to leave before midnight.
2. Don’t forget your books. Double check to make sure that you aren’t forgetting the books you need to study for your tests. Having to get up and go the library is tough enough, but realizing that you forgot your Biology book at home makes it even worse. Hopefully you either live close or have nice roommates that might bring it to you.
3. Snacks snacks snacks. The best part about finals week is being able to eat any food as a reward for going to the library. Pack snacks that won’t cause everyone to glare at you for the loud crunching noise that you’re making.
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4. Bring extra note cards. Don’t underestimate the number of notecards you will need because chances are you will use twice the amount of what you expected. Also, if you leave the library to get more, you probably won’t come back.
5. Make sure you have both your laptop charger and phone charger. Considering that you will most likely be there all day, you wouldn’t want to run out of power on any of your electronic devices.
person holding black smartphone on white textile
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6. Go with friends. Make it a roommate outing but make sure they won’t be too distracting.
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7. Make a schedule. Plan on studying for each subject for a certain amount of time. Switching subjects every so often keeps your brain interested and prevents you from dozing off.
8. Have some kind of motivation. Whether it is a lunch break or thinking about something fun that you are doing over break, keep that motivation in mind to get you through the rough patches of studying.
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9. Coffee. Caffeine will give you the energy you need to get through the next couple of days but be careful with this one—too much coffee may result in you bouncing off the walls and messing around.
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10. Make a playlist. Everyone listens to music while they study. Make a custom "Finals" playlist that will keep you focused and eager to hear the next song.
These 10 tips will help get you through the week while ensuring some sort of motivation. Good luck and keep your head up.
roommate as a therapist
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woman in white shirt eating pizza
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person holding remote pointing at TV
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person holding assorted clothes in wooden hanger
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a couple of dogs laying on top of a couch
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friends cleaning apartment
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man driving car during golden hour
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bacon strips and melted cheese topped fries on oval white and blue platter with gray stainless steel forks
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selective focus photography of eyeshadow palette
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brown wooden framed white padded chair in between green indoor leaf plants inside bedroom
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women forming heart gestures during daytime
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taking care of a sick friend
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man in red polo shirt pouring wine on clear wine glass
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woman in black jacket standing on road during daytime
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student thinking i shouldnt have procrastinated all semester
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Little Golden Book Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
curiousbeartoys.com— Snow White, "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs".
The world has turned into a very dark place. Bad things overshadow the good and it’s hard to find something that isn’t negative. Try and be the one positive thing in a world full of negativity. It isn’t always the easiest thing, but it’s worth it.
www.flickr.com— Rafiki, "The Lion King".
Everyone has things in their past that they want to forget. Dwelling on the past only holds you back. To start the new year right, it’s best to move forward and forget it. Make new memories and experiences, and make them great. Soon 2018 will be the past, and you want to make it good.
Lumiere figure at the Disney Store at the Ala Moana Shoppi… | Flickrwww.flickr.com— Lumière, "Beauty and the Beast"Being afraid never gets you anywhere. It’s okay to be scared occasionally, but to make your year great you have to be willing to take risks and make sacrifices. You have to be willing to step out of your comfort zone in order to be great.
www.flickr.com— Laverne, "The Hunchback of Notre Dame"
You can’t just sit back and watch your life go by. Most people are content going with the flow of society. Be different. Be hardworking. Take risks. Live your life by doing, not by watching.
www.redballoontoystore.com— Grandmother Willow, "Pocahontas"
Good things never come easy. You have to be willing to work your hardest to achieve great things.
www.flickr.com— Jiminy Cricket, "Pinocchio"
This one speaks for itself. Trust your gut and your instincts. You know yourself better than anyone else.
www.flickr.com— Buzz Lightyear, "Toy Story"
The sky is the limit. A new year is full of endless possibilities. Dream big and make it great.
www.redballoontoystore.com— Pooh, "Winnie the Pooh"
So many people today are so concerned with their problems. Half of the time they don’t even solve them, they just complain. It’s about the experience you have, good or bad. Good experiences create good memories, and bad experiences make good life lessons. So focus on the experience, not the problem.
curiousbeartoys.com— Elsa, "Frozen"
Best. Line. Ever. Don’t get caught up in your struggles or stressed out by life. Let everything go. Move on, and live life.
www.flickr.com— Thumper, "Bambi"
As I said before, there are many bad things happening in the world today. That’s because there’s a lot of bad people, but there’s also a lot of good people. Be a good person. Say nice things. Add to the good, not to the bad.
www.flickr.com— Genie, "The Return of Jafar"
Cherish each moment. Most things you experience only happen once in our lives, so you need to appreciate them. Take pictures. Get off social media. Life your life and make memories with people who care about you.
Sometimes, I even get the answer of, "Anything." I can bet that a lot of you go through the same thing, or even have family members to whom you give this answer. Take some notes and send this to your favorite aunt and uncle...
Here is a list of gifts for the people (anyone & everyone) who just don't know what they want:
StableDiffusionOf course, the easiest thing to do when unsure what to get someone is to slip a $20 into a card and call it a day. To make this a little more personal, you can give it in a beautiful money envelope or a brainteaser box. Pinterest also has cute ways you can give the money.
StableDiffusionWho doesn't love a good pair of fuzzy socks? A good pair of cute or comical socks can be found anywhere. There are even online stores specifically for this.
10. Extra BlanketsJuwenin Home 100% Cotton Knitted Throw BlanketWeighted blankets, heated blankets, comforters, or even those five dollar fuzzy blankets at Wal-Mart will do.
StableDiffusionPossibly one of the best things to get are gift cards. They're easy for you to buy, and the person getting it can spend it at their leisure. Buy them a few $10 gift cards for their favorite places, or one Visa gift card they can spend anywhere.
StableDiffusionI don't know about you guys, but I LOVE hoodies. I have enough to fill a second closet, and I wear them all year round. If I've been around you and a hoodie of yours has gone missing, it was most likely me. What better to get someone than an oversize sweatshirt and matching sweatpants?
File:Kishlaru familie.jpg - Wikimedia Commonscommons.wikimedia.orgIf you know someone that does a lot of 'Netflix & ChillNapping', this is the perfect gift for them. The best are the cozy pants that feel like clouds.
Photo by Hanna Balan on UnsplashCandles are something that can be bought for anyone. Even some guys out there will pick out a great-smelling candle. They're cheap and there's so. many. to. choose. from.
StableDiffusionHear me out. A small beta fish in a little vase is the perfect gift for someone. If it's for a kid, be sure to run it by their parents first. I had no idea what to get my brother last year, so I brought him home a beautiful beta. He loved it, and still has it today!
black blue and yellow round illustrationPhoto by LARAM on UnsplashI know almost everyone has Spotify, Apple Music, and more. However, a great CD (even a home-made playlist) is always awesome to have in the car.
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A movie is a great idea for someone if you know their favorite genre. If you don't, just buy some pre-paid movie tickets or a gift card to the local theater! These are always good because you can use them whenever you want.
Grab a basket and fill it with the person's favorite candy. If you don't know what kind to get, you can get an assortment to cover all your bases -- or try getting the small individual candies that are 10 for $1!
It's always fun to take an idea and completely switch it up. You could get the cheap prank gifts at any store - Five Below has so many - or you could take it one step further. This gift is perfect for people who want 'nothing' for Christmas, or you can pick from a variety of other hilarious ones.
Do you know a man that just can't find the right razor? Look no further, Dollar Shave Club is here. Have razors and shaving accessories sent to the person's door for a low price. This idea is so cool, and they even have a line for women.
Shopping for kids no longer has to break your bank. Simply buy a cute stocking for cheap, and fill it with small toys, trinkets, and even candy.
What girl doesn't love cool pens, stickers, and notebooks? They can use it to write letters or use it for note-taking or journaling. Either way, it's a sweet and practical gift.
I can honestly admit that 99% of the time if I don't know what to get someone dear to my heart, I wind up getting them a picture frame. There are so many things you can do with picture frames. Designing your own or buying a pre-made one are both great ways to go. Plus, it costs less than a dollar to print a picture.
If you know someone that plays sports, what better than to get them things that go with what they do? Water bottles, mouth guards, anything that they can use would be a great gift. If you aren't sure what they could use, get them a gift card to their local sports store.
I love a good bath as much as the next person. How about buying that person a few bath or shower accessories? Bath salts, bath bombs, and fresh smelling shower gel will all do the trick.
Honestly, just fill my stocking with a bunch of these. These are so useful for literally EVERYTHING. Concerts, sporting events, vacations, and more. The person receiving this gift will thank you now, and most certainly later.
Men, women, adults, and children all wear hats. It's perfect as it gets colder outside. Go with a nice beanie or the classic Dad hat. Either way, it'll make for an awesome gift.
Winter is coming, and I definitely want to stay in my pajamas all day. Slippers are perfect for the people that just want to stay cozy all day.
I honestly see everyone and their grandmothers collecting these. From children to adults, everyone can use a little extra Pop on their shelves.
I know a bunch of stores that sell really cute phone cases for really cheap. You can even get them at farmer's markets! What better to go with that new case than a really cool pop-socket? There are so many designs for anyone.
My mom LOVES these. They're really sweet collectibles for everyone to enjoy. They have a lot of themes, movies, and colors to choose from.
This one is perfect for everyone. There are so many websites that have monthly boxes you can buy. Usually, you start off paying for one at a time, and if you want to renew it you can. They have boxes for every interest: make-up, snacks, coffee, and even gaming boxes!
If you're of age, showing up to the Christmas party with a bottle of alcohol is the way to go. There are ways to decorate even a simple wine bottle to make it festive and put a smile on someone's face.
These are time-consuming but totally worth it. You can make one online for an easier route, or home-make them for a genuine feel. They're totally cheap, too.
Do you know who your friend/family's favorite performer is? Why not buy them tickets to see them? You can even find cheap tickets to Broadway remakes of children's movies for your favorite little nugget in your life.
Try being crafty with these adorable jars. I have received so many of these from my friends and my boyfriend, and they all still sit on my shelf today. I love periodically looking at them to put a smile on my face.
Another cute and crafty idea is 'Open When' letters. These are usually aimed toward a significant other, but they can be made for anyone really. There are even kits to help you make your letters if you're not feeling very crafty.
If you have someone that enjoys pampering themselves, get them a certificate to get their nails done. For ladies, you can get a cut or dye certificate and for men, you can get one for a haircut or beard trim.
This gift is for all ages. Coloring is such a stress reliever, and everyone loves it! You could get scrapbooking supplies, adult coloring books, clay and sculpting tools, markers, or fabric paint. Depending on who it is, you have so many options.
For those beauty-loving girls - and boys - who can never have enough makeup. There are so many things that define makeup, and because it can be expensive, go with some accessories. A new eyelash curler, some moisturizer, or some new brushes will do wonderfully.
Hallmark is like if you took almost every gift idea ever and put it into a store. You can find funny to serious gifts that'll make for the perfect addition under the tree.
No, for real. Stop laughing and head to the nearest store for these items. I cannot express how many hair ties I go through in less than a month. It's an endless cycle of buy, use, and lose. The girl you buy these for will be forever thankful.
What child doesn't smile when greeted by a cuddly stuffed animal under the tree? Actually, deep down, who at all doesn't smile from a stuffed animal?
Everyone loves a great poster hanging on their wall. From My Little Pony to Sports Illustrated, there's a poster for everyone and anyone.
I know a lot of people have specific scents that they enjoy, but why not buy them something new to try? I know one of my cousins buys everyone new scents each year, and it's awesome because I get to try different kinds. I've actually found some of my favorite perfumes that way. Don't be afraid to pick one for someone else.
Air fresheners, their favorite design as a steering wheel cover, or even a cute thing to hang from their mirror. It's a unique idea that'll be used on the daily.
Suppose you don't have the money for any of this. Don't beat yourself up. Make a card and simply show that person love. Give them the gift of holiday cheer and your affection. Out of all of these things, this one will put the biggest smile on their faces.
Hopefully, this list gave you some ideas for the perfect present. If not, hopefully, you're sending this list to your favorite relatives to drop hints for them. Bring on the holiday season.
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