<p>How would some of you (obviously a returning Junior) describe your Sophomore year? Almost EVERYTIME I read a review of Sophomore year on this forum I've read things such as "I had a hard time making friends," or "The workload was too hard" or something along those lines.</p>
<p>So is Sophomore year really hell on Earth? That's the impression I got from some people (okay maybe I'm exaggerating with the whole Hell on Earth thing LOL). I know I should just focus on Freshman year before jumping to Sophomore year but I still want to have an idea of what Sophomore year is like.</p>
<p>No, it’s not as bad as people make it out to be. The workload definitely picks up, but you’ll probably be able to manage it better since you’ve been through freshman year already. Also, it’s important to do well during sophomore year b/c colleges look primarily at sophomore and junior year when determining admissions. That being said, don’t be freaked out by what you hear; sophomore year is not too bad( in my opinion, freshman and junior yr are worse).</p>
<p>Interesting. I could see why both years are worse. Freshman year you’re adjusting to a new environment with a number of temptations (Alchohol, Guys/Girls, Freedom, Parties, etc) whilst still having pressure from Family and Friends back home to do well. And Junior year is the year where you pick your major so the courses get more detailed and require more work and thinking.</p>
<p>Are these reasons right, GoldOwl? If not, feel free to add. =D</p>
<p>Well I can’t really speak from my own experience since I’m going to be a sophomore this year, but I’ll give my friends (who will be juniors) opinions.</p>
<p>Basically, it depends how you look at it. In some ways, freshman year is better because you’re just getting freedom (it’s all new), you’re being exposed to many things like frat parties, keggers, and living with friends all the time, and the workload isn’t too bad. You don’t have to be as serious as later years (though you should still focus on classes). Also, you don’t have to worry about dumb attendance issues if you go to a large school (unlike high school). Basically, most of this stuff gets old by sophomore year. You get used to freedom, the parties, living near friends, and not too strict attendance rules for lectures, and it sort of loses its glamor. Some people get tired of partying and drinking…it gets old. Also, the classes do get a little harder, and there is a little more work. You do have to start being more serious.</p>
<p>While that sounds bad, the benefits of sophomore year are much better. For starters, you don’t have to worry about adjusting (which can take a few months; while you will adjust eventually, it is NOT that easy). You will already know about most things at your college. You also don’t have to worry about making freshman mistakes (like not studying for class and going to a party or stuff like that), and there aren’t many of those awkward moments like there were during the beginning of freshman year. You will have a sense of where you’re going academically too (like major, career) since you’ll have taken a variety of classes freshman year. While the work is a little harder, you will know better how to succeed academically at your university (and what specifically to do), so classes shouldn’t be a big deal. Also, you will know which classes/professors to take and not to take. Additionally, you’ll already have close friends when you get there and won’t feel lonely like you could at the beginning of freshman year. And you will know about all the opportunities already. Basically, since you’ve already done a year, it will all be old stuff…nothing stressful, and much easier.</p>
<p>In my friends opinion, sophomore year was 10 times better than freshman year. There was less st*pid fun like drunken debauchery, but overall, it was much better.</p>
<p>As a senior, I think sophomore year was my best year of college. I had the most friends, the workload was challenging without being impossible, and I wasn’t stressed. Freshman year I was bored stiff, and junior year was really hard.</p>
<p>This is just my experience. I can’t speak for others. But for me sophomore year sucked. Fall semester was good only because I made dean’s list. Other than that, it was very hectic.</p>
<p>Spring semester of sophomore year – I never want to live that again. To roommate problems, to struggling in two classes that were towards my now-former major, lack of sleep, mini episodes of depression and emotional breakdowns, lack of motivation, lack of people to turn to for help, rethinking whether I should take a year off or transfer to a college closer to home. I felt numb, lonely, and confused.</p>
<p>I’m hoping that junior year will be better. I’ve settled on a major (English, which I should have just stuck to) and decided I will turn to on-campus counseling services for help if I feel lost again. I really want to make these last two years good.</p>
<p>My advice is to see off campus counselors. The ones at school are a lot worse. There’s two nationally ranked hospitals next to our school with presigous doctors. Even if the copays higher, they are much more qualified.</p>