College is stressful. There is no doubt about it, especially in this time of online classes with a pandemic going around. I hear a lot of the term “sophomore slump” being thrown around here and there from my friends and peers, but I didn’t quite understand it or why it happens until this year.
I experienced this feeling of the sophomore slump at the beginning of this school year because in retrospect, a lot was going on and I felt like I just couldn’t keep up. My friends and I were unexpectedly kicked out of our house the same week that we had sorority recruitment, I had to find a place to live by myself for the first time, I found out I couldn’t take a little with the rest of my pledge class, and my friendships had a lot of pressure put on them after the housing got split up. I felt lost and didn’t even want to be at school anymore. I felt anxious and like I had no friends after my best friend had transferred, even though I was the one distancing myself. I noticed that many of my friends at other schools were feeling the same way. They were feeling lost and anxious all of the time but they had no idea why. I have now realized that this is what everyone was talking about. This is the sophomore slump. And even though we feel like we are experiencing it alone, we aren’t! Now, I think everyone is beginning to feel this sophomore slump, no matter what year they are because of COVID-19. Many of us have had to move back home when we were least expecting it and get used to this whole new routine of online school. We were all looking forward to finishing out the semester with our favorite people by our side, but now we can’t. This hits us so hard. This can cause us to feel alone while we have to socially distance ourselves and can cause us to feel anxious about our grades as we are getting used to a new form of curriculum. But what exactly are the true signs that we are experiencing the sophomore slump? Symptoms include:
The good news is, this slump doesn’t last forever and there are actually ways that we are able to pull ourselves out of it! It can be from something as simple as keeping a daily planner/journal to even going and talking to a therapist. Here are some of the things I have done and that my peers have dont to get out of their slumps! If you’re experiencing: a drop in grades Try: keeping a daily planner/journal A drop in grades can be really tough to deal with, but it’s never too late to try getting them up. Keeping a planner or a journal is a great way to keep all of your thoughts on track and keep you liable for your assignments because they are written down somewhere you can find them. Physically writing down what your assignments are also makes your brain remember them easier! With a daily planner or journal, you can also keep track of your mindset throughout the month with a “mood tracker.” A mood tracker can be helpful and let you know when you need to take a break and when you need to take time for yourself. Your mindset plays a major role in your grades. If you are feeling anxious or stressed all of the time, your grades are more likely to slip! If you haven’t read it yet, check out all of my tips for boosting your GPA here. If you're experiencing: lack of motivation Try: going for a walk or run Exercising is a great way to get your endorphins going. If you have noticed that you are lacking motivation lately, try and get yourself in the habit of getting out and going for a run or even just a walk. It is a great way to clear your mind and focus on taking care of yourself. Once you are done with your little workout, you’ll start to notice that you actually want to do more! I have a friend who was feeling unmotivated and she made it a habit to go to the gym every morning to start her day with a good headspace, which in return, helped boost her motivation! If you’re experiencing: a sudden urge to transfer Try: getting involved on campus If you haven’t rushed a sorority yet, or don’t think it’s your thing, you should still go for it! It’s never too late! Rushing is one of the easiest ways to get yourself more involved and create bonds with like-minded women! Not all sororities are the same which is why giving recruitment a chance is so worth it! Already in a sorority? Run for a position or keep your eye out throughout the semester for new positions that open up and apply for them! Honestly, this is one of the major things that pulled me out of my slump. I ran for everything I possibly could, and although I didn’t get any of those positions, I still felt better about putting myself out there and automatically felt more involved. If your school doesn’t have greek life, don’t fret! Join a club or find a place on campus where you can volunteer. Just making an effort to be on campus in general will allow you to feel more involved and at home! If you’re experiencing: anxiety and/or depression Try: finding something to distract your mind Like i said in my first tip, journaling is a great way to keep your mind on track and to get all of your thoughts out. If calling a loved one and talking to them about your day helps, then do that! Personally, my greatest distraction is keeping myself busy, which in all honesty is a big reason as to why I started this blog. I found that just my school work and my internship weren’t quite filling up the amount of time I would have preferred to keep my mind busy and stimulated, so I started a blog to try and help young women like myself! If simple distractions don’t work, speaking with a therapist could be very beneficial. I know many people who have both hated it and benefited from it, so it should never be ruled out until you try it! I know in the midst of all of the craziness that is going on in the world, it’s easy to lose track of what’s important - putting ourselves first. Mental health is so extremely important in college. We have surprises around every corner, and unfortunately right now that means cutting our semester short. However, we need to continue checking in with ourselves. What can we do that can allow us to avoid the sophomore slump. Take care of yourself! Draw a bath, slap on a face mask, and just go to town in your journal. You would be amazed at how much your mind will be cleared just after taking those 20 minutes to yourself! Stay healthy, stay happy, and never hesitate to reach out when you need to! xo, The Undergrad
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AUTHORCamille Baron is a 20 year old attending the University of Utah and is in her third year as a Strategic Communications major. She strives to educate college women like herself to achieve their full potential in all aspects of life. ARCHIVES
July 2020
CATEGORIESAll Business And Professional College Culture Education Health And Wellness Self Care Travel |