The Sophomore Slump and How the COVID-19 Pandemic Has Exacerbated It
Freshman year was one of the most fun, interesting, and stressful years of my life. However, the sophomores that I met last year often said something to me along the lines of “Listen, the sophomore slump is real.” I did not think it could get more stressful than freshman year, but I still told myself, “I will be so organized that I won’t go through this so-called ‘sophomore slump.” In the end, I did do a better job of managing my time this semester, but the sophomore slump still hit me like a bullet train.
It happened my sophomore year of high school, and it’s happening again in my sophomore year of college - I don’t really know what I’m doing with my life. If anyone asks, I’m majoring in economics and hoping to get a job in consulting, or something like that. The classes I chose this semester are interesting, however, I often get stressed when thinking about how I’m going to apply them in a meaningful manner in the real world. If you also feel this way, you’re not alone. The sophomore slump has been something that many college sophomores go through, but more are probably going through it this year because 2020 has posed its unique challenges. This year, the sophomore slump is manifesting itself in different forms due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Under normal circumstances, adjusting to college life is not the main stressor for most sophomores. Rather, it is more so the addition of responsibilities and expected maturity. Because of the pandemic, however, some students returning to campus have found it hard to adapt to the new normal and stay focused. In 2020, it seems that there are always slightly more important things than homework in which to allocate our attention. For me, it’s been social justice issues, keeping up with the election this past November, and hanging out with friends. Due to social distancing and a decrease in the number of students going to Central Campus, you’re less likely to bump into your friends unless you have similar schedules. Some people told me that they rarely left their apartments this semester, because they did not see the point in coming to campus at all. They also mentioned getting bored and lonely quickly. If you’re going through the sophomore slump during the pandemic, remember that it was not entirely in your control. Everyone’s opportunities to socialize are limited. One way to alleviate that feeling of loneliness is to be in the moment whenever you are with your friends. They’re the people who will remind you to enjoy the little things, focus on school with you, and try to help you figure out this thing called “life.”
Another trait typically associated with sophomores who are in a slump is the inclination to party more, which may be for the purpose of procrastination in the form of some “crazy fun.” With the pandemic, however, parties are not acceptable. I wonder how many sophomores saw a reduction in their alcohol consumption or completely ruled out alcohol as a distractor from other activities this semester. While I felt party withdrawal sometimes, staying in (and sober) on the weekends did have its benefits. I got used to this new college lifestyle, and it encouraged me to confront my worries earlier. Because I wasn’t avoiding my problems, I got rid of them earlier. Most of the time, I got over whatever obstacle I was facing that week just fine even without looking forward to a crazy Saturday night. I learned to be more appreciative of other activities such as hiking, a night in with a few friends in a dorm, or chilling on the slope. And if things went wrong academically that week, I was more likely to get started on homework for next week instead of going out and pushing it off until Sunday. I also tried to keep in mind that I still have some control over how my future pans out, as well as the person I’ll become.
Ah, yes. There is the sophomore year identity crisis that comes with the slump. This crisis normally manifests itself in thoughts such as Am I at the right school? Am I in the right major? Who am I turning into? Am I happy with the person I’m turning into? I need to develop concrete ideals and beliefs. Are the extracurriculars I’m doing right for me? If you’re like me and you’re stressed trying to figure out what you truly believe in (whether it’s ideologies, faith, etc.), remember that you do not need to have concrete beliefs by age 19 or 20. Meanwhile, some new questions that have come to my mind, thanks to COVID, include Is online learning worth it?Should I take a leave of absence? If after serious consideration you feel that you should change your path, do it. In addition, remember that this pandemic is an unusual time, and many people have made decisions that they otherwise would not have made under normal circumstances. Many sophomores end up changing their majors or concentrations, and some end up trying something entirely new that works out. Good luck, sophomores! I hope things turn out all right for us in the end.
