There are many freshmen who begin their college careers excited and ready to start preparing for the future. They are passionate and dedicated, and their study habits and work ethic prove it. However, some of these same college freshmen who began with such enthusiasm fall victim to what is infamously known as “the Sophomore Slump,” in their second year of college studies. Their excitement has turned to annoyance, and instead of being dedicated, they feel dejected. The frustration grows throughout the year, and it is hard to find motivation as grades begin to suffer.
However, there are ways such a slump can be avoided. The second year in college does not have to be one that hangs over you; it can be one that brings opportunities to build on what you did as a freshman and to continue growing as a student. Here are five things you can do to avoid the dreaded "Sophomore Slump" in college.
Schedule time each week to meet with some study buddies in your class. The people in your group can make sure everyone is keeping up with assignments and understanding the information in the class well.
Procrastination can kill your grades. At the time, it feels easier to put things off until later to hang out with friends, play video games or watch Netflix. Instead, use this time as a reward. If you have work to do, then get it done before having fun. You will feel better and will be able to enjoy your free time without having big projects or assignments hanging over your head.
Don’t do the same thing every time. Find a few ways that work and switch it up every once in a while so it doesn’t seem mundane and boring. Go to different places, try different things and make studying something that can be enjoyable.
Maybe you didn’t do as well on tests, or maybe essays were a struggle for you. Find something that you can do better and use that as motivation to focus as a sophomore.
The years of college you have left, all the classes you have to take and all the work you have to do will come eventually, but focus on the present situation and what you can do to thrive now. If you start looking to the future and worrying about all the work you have ahead of you, you will lose focus on the work you have to do now. If you do what you should each day, you will excel as a sophomore and avoided the dreaded slump.
Why not surround yourself with fellow students, professors and staff who care deeply about your success by attending Geneva College? To learn more, contact Admissions at admissions@geneva.edu or 800.847.8255.
- Andrew Domencic ‘19
Opinions expressed in the Geneva Blog are those of its contributors and do not necessarily represent the opinions or official position of the College. The Geneva Blog is a place for faculty and contributing writers to express points of view, academic insights, and contribute to national conversations to spark thought, conversation, and the pursuit of truth, in line with our philosophy as a Christian, liberal arts institution.
Sep 18, 2017
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