Now that I’m a junior, I realize that although I learned a lot during my freshman year of college, my sophomore year was far more monumental. But why is that, and what exactly did I learn? As one of the unfortunate high school seniors that graduated in 2020, I never had an in-person college experience during my freshman year. Instead, sophomore year was my first proper introduction to college. And what an introduction it was! So here is what I learned from my late start to college life.
- Keep your mind and heart open!
While this may seem super cliche and overstated, it’s completely true. At the beginning of college, I really struggled with making friends and enjoying life. I kept wondering why I wasn’t developing connections as quickly as my peers were. Now, I realize that while I wanted to make friends; I wasn’t actively making any efforts toward finding friends. I urge everyone to put themselves out there! Take a risk and join a club you would never join. I ended up finding the most unexpected connections when I made the most spontaneous decisions!
- Don’t be afraid of change!
College is very uncertain. I am the type of person who makes plans and intends to stick to those plans. Very quickly, I realized that life doesn’t go as planned. Take me, for example. In the middle of my sophomore year, I realized that I didn’t want to be studying at my current college. So I transferred to Michigan State University, and I’m having so much fun exploring this beautiful campus and the amazing people here.
- Take care of yourself!
Put yourself first! College is so hectic, and sometimes, the stress can become overbearing. It is so important to set aside time for yourself. I like to have Sunday resets where I clean my apartment and do some self-care. It is also important to stay hydrated and eat meals at appropriate times. I myself have been a victim of yummy late-night snacks, but in the long run, a healthy diet will pay off. Lastly, make sure to give yourself breaks. It is impossible to produce your best work when your brain is emotionally exhausted, so take a break!
Although these seem like three super simple tips, college can be very emotionally and physically draining. My sophomore year was full of twists and turns that I never expected, but I’m happier on the other side! I cannot wait to try to follow my tips and make my junior year even better!