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SOPHOMORE LESSONS

May 27, 2016

After I completed my freshman year of high school, I decided to reflect upon some of the lessons I learned that year via blog post format.  Now that my sophomore year has come to an end, what better way to remember the past year than to continue on with that tradition?

I've heard mixed reviews about sophomore year from other sources, and now that I've been a sophomore, I think I understand why.  If you have yet to start your sophomore year, I have one important tidbit for you to digest:  this year is a year of change.

Prep For A Day

1. Your "friend group" from freshman year may be subject to change.
With a new year comes a new class schedule, so it's likely that you may not be in many classes with the people who frequented your schedule freshman year.  Don't worry;  you will find other friends, and you might even reunite with friends from past years.

2. The homework load may begin to increase, so it would behoove you to really learn how to prioritize your schedule.
Personally, I had somewhat of a struggle with the average amount of homework I had to complete during sophomore year.  Even if this homework increase doesn't occur in your classes, it's never too early to learn how to schedule your assignments along with other events that fill up your afternoons.

3. Take standardized tests very seriously.
Many of the standardized achievement tests are geared towards juniors and seniors in high school, but that doesn't mean that you should wait until those years to start preparing.  Your future junior and senior selves will thank you for taking the initiative to start working early.

4. You will find friends in the most unlikely of places.
Whether you find yourself bonding with the most popular girl in the grade or with the math genius, remember that you have the ability to form a friendship with anyone, even someone you would've never considered.

5. Be kind to each person you meet, no matter his or her social status.
If you learn anything from this post, please learn the importance of being kind and courteous.  Even if the people around you delight in teasing one of your grade's "social pariahs," try to strike a different chord.  No matter a person's popularity status, he is still a person, and he deserves to be treated as such.

6. Start forming bonds with your teachers.
To begin, in a few years you'll be in dire need of letters of recommendation, so it's a good idea to start making a good impression on the people who will ultimately end up writing them.  However, most of your teachers are also going to be interesting people, so you might just enjoy getting to know them throughout the year.

7. Don't let stress overwhelm you.
I've said it before and I'll say it again:  it isn't difficult to fall into the stress trap, but try to avoid doing so for the majority of the year.  Stress only decreases your grade point average and increases your anxiety, resulting in a less-than-healthy sophomore.

8. If someone repeatedly gives you the cold shoulder, chances are that they are anything but a friend.
That being said, friendships can be just as stressful as any school activities, and a way to counteract that aspect of stress is by realizing the differences between a true friend and a fair weather friend.

9. Take advantage of the opportunities that are presented to you.
One positive about sophomore year is the number of unique opportunities that start popping up in the course of the semesters.  Don't be afraid of applying for that leadership program or interviewing for that job;  after all, with a bit of hard work and determination, anything can be achieved.

10.  Be a leader.
Out of all of the students present at your school, there is only one who has your talents and ideas:  you. Use these things to start making a lasting contribution to your grade and the entire school, and don't be afraid to be just a little bit different from everyone else.  Everyone has the potential to be a leader in his or her own way;  why not you?

Sophomore year is definitely another year of change, but with change comes development and self-awareness.  If you've already experienced your sophomore year of high school, you probably know one thing to be true:  it's another year to find what makes you uniquely you.

What lessons have you learned about your sophomore year?

Love,
Tori

4 comments:

  1. Congrats girl on finishing your sophomore year! It's so funny you called it a year of change- my friends and I dubbed 16 as "the year of change" and it's funny how much it changes and will continue to into your junior year!

    xoxo,
    Katie
    chicincarolina.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Katie! It seems like every year of high school brings on a new set of changes that we must adapt to!

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  2. yayayay you're on summer break!!!

    I hope you have a lot of fun things planned!

    Katelyn
    theyellowspectacles.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope you'll like what I have in store, Katelyn! Thanks for reading!

      Delete

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