I'm going to come forward and be perfectly honest. The sophomore slump is a real thing and it is dangerous. As a freshman, everything is new and exciting. Meeting all of your new peers is thrilling and each school event seems like the coolest thing ever because it's something you've never experienced before. As a sophomore, the excitement of going to new events isn't as invigorating and thrilling. In fact, it can be easy to compare each event to "how it was last year." I found myself getting caught in this trap quite often last semester, and I'm sad to admit that it caused me to step into the feeling of being stuck in this "sophomore slump." One of the things I loved most about my school last year was the free movie theater that often shows movies that have just been released on DVD. This year, I can admit to having gone to one movie. If we're being real, I've probably had enough time to go see a few more free movies, but I haven't MADE the time. Making the time is the key word here.
Another thing that I've really struggled with this semester is going to the gym. I used to love going to the gym. I was one of those crazy people that actually woke up in the morning and looked forward to going to spinning class. While I haven't completely given up on gym participation this semester, I can admit that going to the gym has not provided me with very much happiness or been a release from stress as it used to be. This is something I really would like to fix. I've noticed that I really enjoy plyometrics and "leg day", yet I've chosen to ignore these two types of workouts. I honestly can't explain what has pushed me to disliking the gym, but I can assure you that I am going to try to find a new way to enjoy working out again.
These two examples are just to demonstrate that sometimes slumps happen. I think they're perfectly normal. We are all human, and taking breaks from the things you truly enjoy allows you to strengthen your determination to keep going. While I can't promise that I will get just as excited about every single event like I did last year, I can assure you that I will stop myself from comparing them to the year before and I will try my very hardest to focus on how great it has been thrown together THIS year.
If you're falling into the sophomore slump, I recommend taking some time to evaluate the things that made you love school the year before. Or, if you didn't enjoy school and are still struggling to make some bonds in school, I would encourage you to step outside of your comfort zone and try a new activity or join a new club. You never know what you'll find next. College is about stepping outside of your comfort zone and embracing every minute of it. If there's anything I've learned from this year, it's that mental resilience is the only thing that will aid you in your journey into adulthood.
