From Freshman 15 to Sophomore Slump: A College Pipeline

The inevitable pipeline that most, if not all, college students have the unfortunate gift of experiencing is the freshman 15 to sophomore slump.

When we come into college as freshmen, this is a time in most students’ lives where they are on their own for the first time, meeting new people, trying new things, and discovering newfound independence. 

In the midst of the world opening up at your fingertips, we tend to neglect things like exercise or holding back on alcohol due to its calories. Many freshmen allow themselves to take advantage of their new freedom and let themselves live more loosely, focusing on making friends and experiencing new things, which is precisely what the first year of college is about.

Alongside this, the first year of college is when students who did not collect credits in high school take general education classes, which are not as rigorous or time-consuming as classes within a major. Students spend less time focusing on classes and homework, instead focusing more on the social aspect of college and living on campus. 

And when freshman year inevitably ends, and that title of underclassman fades away, sophomore year comes around, and so does the start of adulthood. Going from fresh-faced eighteen-year-olds to nineteen-year-olds with unexpected responsibilities is a big jump that is not discussed enough. 

The second year of college is a considerable maturity jump for many people. Having seasoned knowledge of the campus, what classes you should take, entering into a more major-focused track, upperclassman housing on or off campus, the nineteen love theory, etc. 

The excitement of adulthood and the unknown is no longer the north star guiding you forward. You’re now surrounded by stars, not sure which one to choose, and ultimately, staying stuck in the open space, the unknown becomes intimidating instead of exciting. 

The leap from freshman to sophomore can be an unexpected and taxing transition for many. Creating the window for self-doubt, insecurity, and loneliness, we didn’t realize it was a real pipeline within the college experience. 

However, despite how daunting and complicated it might be in the moment, those feelings don’t last forever. As time in college goes on, the opportunities to find yourself, your people, and what you want to do with your life are endless. Just like freshman 15, the sophomore slump is a period of growth necessary to transition into the rest of college and your life, setting you up to handle life post-grad. 

And trust me, once you get through this part, the rest will be a piece of cake (hopefully).

Strike Out, 

Madi Denizard 

Boca Raton 

Madi Denizard is a content writer for Strike Magazine Boca. In typical Leo fashion, she is a social butterfly and loves self-expression of all kinds. When she’s not writing, you can find her with her nose stuck in a book, mermaiding in the ocean or crocheting her newest masterpiece. You can reach her by email at madison.denizard@gmail.com or on Instagram @mpaigee_