Wow! After one more days of finals I will officially be half way done with my college career. SCARY! In some respects it seems like just the other day that I was moving onto campus for the first time and anxious about being on my own. Yet on the other hand, I feel like I've been at Luther for so long that it feels like home, the place where I belong.
Contrary to what all freshmen want to hear, sophomore year proved to be tougher and busier than freshman year. As my classes got more specialized I definitely had to put in more time studying and completing assignments. I can recall nights of reading and re-reading my physiology textbook wishing that instead I could be spending time with friends. Not only were classes tough enough in themselves, but I was also working multiple days a week and running more miles in practice, all of which left me "Living' on a Prayer" often enough.
But now that I've managed to sound like sophomore year was a bust, let me note a few of the good things that came with it:
1. Maturity. Being involved in activities and having multiple responsibilities to fulfill helped me mature. I became fully aware that I was the one who decided how busy to be and also how stressed I would let myself get. I became mature enough to realize when enough was enough, and how I needn't let trivial things stress me out so much. Despite what often gets portrayed, there is much more to life than grades and athletics.
2. World Traveling! As a sophomore, junior, or senior, Luther students are allowed to travel abroad for a J-term or semester. I took the opportunity to go to Ecuador over J-term and had a wonderful time. It was great to try out my Spanish-speaking skills and to experience a different culture. That was definitely one of the highlights of the year and I would highly recommend traveling abroad to anyone who hasn't yet.
3. Stronger relationships. Freshman year is a beginning for many great relationships, but unfortunately it takes the majority of the year to identify who you might want to be friends with and start getting to know them. When you come back as sophomores, though, you get to build on those relationships you had started. You get to live with who you want to, have more meaningful conversations, and actually make friends instead of just acquaintances.
Sophomore year can be a tough, but very valuable, part of the college experience. I am happy to say that I survived (well, I guess we'll see after tomorrow's exams) and that I have many lessons to take with me. Starting this coming Friday I will be in Spain for 10 weeks, taking classes and finishing my time abroad that's required for a Spanish major. Keep tuning in to my blog because I plan on keeping you all updated on my adventures in that part of the world!
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your blog is weak
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