Without going down, you can't go back up.
Some say that sophomore year is the "sophomore season", the last "fun" years of college before sh*t gets serious. The last bit of freedom and chill with hardcore friend group that parties non-stop. Those freshman year jitters are over, you're comfortable, you have better housing, and you THINK you've got it together. This may have been the case for most people, but not for me. I hit the slump. The sophomore slump. You're not smooth sailing, challenges strike you left and right, and things (like friendships) fall apart. This "phenomenon" may also manifest itself in different ways like writers' block, a creative drought, or a funk.
Poor grades and poor choices eventually led to the flu. So what happened? Problem: Procrastination, Cause: Fear + Uncertainty, Effect: Bad grades. Procrastination was a problem. I made poor studying choices that resulted in some less than stellar grades. Cramming doesn't work. Take time to study in advance. I had questions that I never got answers. Don't be confused, take time to ask your professor if you need help. ALSO. GET SOME SLEEP. I thought I was the energizer bunny that could go on forever. I'm not. I need sleep to recharge. Constant all nighters are not cool. Sleep is the key to total wellness! God was right when he said to "Take a Sabbath Day". SO DO THAT. Recharge so you can give your activities 110%. Sometimes, as well as you plan things, things can ALWAYS go wrong. For example, I made this awesome plan for my friends and I to spend Spring Break in New York City, but it was an ABSOLUTE failure. I did stay in the city, but a strong lack of communication with my mother caused major problems at home. I'm not going to get into that but [long story, short] but, if my mom is unhappy, everyone is unhappy.
Part of college is living and interacting with people you haven't met before. It's all good and fine until you have roommate issues. Sparing y'all of the awkward and slightly disturbing details, we couldn't reach an agreement. So she decided to move out and we (eventually) got another roommate. That was an emotional roller coaster that I didn't think would affect me as much as it did. I'm not sad that I lost a roommate but I am sad for the loss of a friend.
With the above factors combined, I came down with the flu. mhmhm. FLU TYPE A. It was awful. I was weak tired, cold and hot. At first I didn't think anything was wrong with me. But there was. I went to Health Services and I was flu positive in under a minute. Then I was placed in quarantine. It was even worse than having the flu. Alone in a dark suite with no food or friends. The only positive thing was that I got to sleep, and watch that weird Hulk movie.
this is kinda long, but it gets (a little bit) better.
You can't stay in the "slump" forever.
So how do you get out of your "sophomore slump"?
1. Realize that this IS NOT your permanent state.
This is a season, not a good one, but essential to your life story. Without going down, you can't go back up.
2. Play the Problem-Cause-Effect or Cause-Effect-Solution game.
Evaluate things that went wrong and led to this "slump". For example, I procrastinated and the effect was bad grades. The solution is to avoid distractions and prioritize my life. I know, easier said than done...but we are going for progress here. *also remember that some situations are out of your control but you can control how you react to the situation.*
3. Admit you are struggling.
You can say it to yourself in the mirror or shout it out in the grocery store. Admitting you've got an issue, it the first step to recovery (or progress is our case). And ask for help if you really need it.
4. DO NOT COMPARE YOURSELF TO OTHER PEOPLE.
Seriously don't. It does LITERALLY NOTHING for you or your self esteem. There is a difference in being inspired by someone and comparing yourself to them. You are you and be proud of that. You have things that the other person doesn't.
5. Change your scenery.
This can be as small as rearranging a space you live or work in or taking a trip to a far-out destination. Seeing things differently (literally) can be transformative for the mind and result in newfound confidence and inspiration.
Getting out of the funk; I'm over the sophomore slump,
Natalie D.
P.S. Going to Japan solved (a few of) my problems