Sophomore year is arguably one of the most awkward years of college. Freshman year is new and exciting: You're meeting new people, experiencing different things, and it's great. There's junior year: The year you need to get you sh*t together because reality is coming soon, but you still have time to live the college lifestyle. But that's also the year many people turn 21, and who doesn't love that? Senior year is terrifying and relieving all at the same time. There is so much happening and so many emotions, but life is good.
Then there is sophomore year. What's special about sophomore year? I guess you could be considered an "upperclassman," but not really. You've been at college a year, so at least you have some experience. But the newness has worn off and the reality of the next few years of papers, exams, and college payments has settled in. Don't get me wrong, you are still excited to be in college, but sophomore year is just the "awkward" year.
When I started my sophomore year, I was warned about the "sophomore slump." At first I thought to myself, Wow, this will never happen to me. I'll be fine. It doesn't exist.
Let me tell you... It is a very real thing. But, it's okay.
Mental breakdowns happen. Things build up and sh*t hits the fan and you freak out. It's happened to me, it's happened to my friends, it's happened to others I know. It's almost concerning if you haven't hit a breaking point. But things get better, trust me. Things are stressful at first and there doesn't seem like there is an end in sight... but then you see a light at the end of the tunnel.
The sophomore slump doesn't last forever. In fact, it doesn't even last all of sophomore year. It usually lasts for a few weeks, maybe a month, but never too long. There are ways around it once it comes, but I don't think there are ways to evade it. You have to get the full college experience, mental breakdowns and all.
It's not the best thing to happen in your four years of college, but it's definitely not the worst either. And if it is the worst thing that happens to you, consider yourself lucky.
College can be stressful. Papers, homework, exams, midterms, finals, clubs, parties, friends, family.... the list goes on. Sometimes it's hard to keep track of everything and handle it all at once. That short period where you don't know what to do may be the sophomore slump, but the victory after the dust has cleared could be the comeback you've been waiting for.
It's okay to experience the sophomore slump. You're one of about a a few million others going through the same thing.
