It’s that time of year: The Sophomore Slump is upon us
‘That’s when I realized I was in the Sophomore Slump. I had reached the point of laziness that I could barely even feed myself’
It was a sunny, brisk fall day when I strolled into my Microeconomic Theory class. Upon receiving my midterm grade, I came to the brutal realization that I had peaked in high school.
As I stared in disbelief at the culmination of all my greatest failures, I realized that the sinking feeling in my stomach was not the sketchy egg-white omelet from Lower earlier that morning, but instead the Sophomore Slump hitting me at full force.
Other symptoms include: returning to that dad bod you had sworn off this summer, texting that one girl from Freshman year you met on the Newton bus trying to reignite the non-existent spark, sniffing your sweatpants before wearing them for the fourth consecutive day to class, and any other thing that involves you rolling up to your 9:00 am looking like a train wreck.
The Sophomore Slump is by no means something unique to me – it is a widespread phenomenon which has led many a confused college student to consider dropping out to join the circus, or worse, hit the stripper pole.
Mark Chanatry, a sophomore International Studies major here at Boston College, shared his experience with the strange epidemic:
“I saw Erica’s (Walsh RD) email about the Sophomore Slump and considered not reading it, because these have been some of the best months of my life. I just didn’t see how the sophomore slump could pertain to me.
“Then I read the email, and I realized that a lot of the signs pointed towards me. Decreasing ties with my home friends, increased stress due to harder classes (especially since I failed my micro theory midterm in a stunning fashion), and family adjusting to life without me…Mom? Is that true?”
Mark is just one of many who found themselves feeling like their life is a perpetual Monday morning.
With the Sophomore Slump spreading faster than the 2009 swine flu pandemic, Emma Goodwin, an Elementary Education and Communication double major, shares the very moment she hit rock bottom.
“I was laying in bed at 2:00 pm on a Thursday, and I was craving popcorn above all else. I made my friend Maeve make it for me, and then, upon seeing her putting it into a bowl, asked her if she could please just pour it straight onto my bed.
“The thought of having to reach into the bowl at every bite was far too daunting.”
In that moment, Emma’s focus was her need for popcorn, but looking back she said: “That’s when I realized I was in the Sophomore Slump. I had reached the point of laziness that I could barely even feed myself.”
Mark and Emma are real-life examples of the trying times one experiences their sophomore year of college. While Emma may represent a level a stunning level of slumping, Mark proves to be in the just beginning of the potential downward spiral that Sophomore can entail.
In an effort to better understand this phenomenon, I decided to turn to Regan Marooney, a sophomore in the Connell School of Nursing who has recently joined the ranks of the Boston College Health Coach brigade.
The Health Coach squad in all their glory
Have you encountered many sophomores this year as a Health Coach?
Yes. Although I mostly meet with Freshman as they try to find their footings here at BC, I have encountered many Sophomores struggling with a range of issues. Most notably they struggle with time management and their sleep schedules.
What kind of resources are available here at BC for students who find themselves struggling?
When I meet with a student, we establish an individual Health Plan (iHP) in the Office of Health Promotion in Gasson 025. IHPs involve a one-on-one conversation health conversation with the students about their lives in order to then establish goals and strategies to target and improve their specific issues.”
“We usually refer them to other specialists such as counseling services, which are also in the basement of Gasson, Plex trainers or the university nutritionist, Sheila Tucker, based on their needs.
Regan, at Healthapalooza promoting the new Health Coach program
Do you have any general advice for Sophomores, and all students, who are having a difficult time?
The most important thing to remember is that you’re most definitely not alone. Take a step back, reflect on your life, yourself and try to focus on the good, all while acknowledging what needs to be improved. There are so many people and resources available, don’t be shy and take advantage of them.
A lot of people don’t realize how helpful and insightful counseling can be. It has done wonders for so many students I have met.
So if you feel like your Sunday blues are turning into everyday blues, don’t be a stranger and reach out to all the wonderful people and resources available.
Sophomore year is a turning point in a lot of students’ college experience. Some days are trying, while others fly by, so make sure to embrace the highs and do not be afraid to confront your lows.