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opinion
Words from the way out As the year comes to a close, highlights members reflect on the past year and offer insight into next year
Sophomores
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COMMENTARY BY MELANIE NUÑEZ, STAFF WRITER
FTER NARROWLY surviving the occasional horrors of freshman year, sophomore year can seem like a long-awaited and well-deserved rest. Although this is true, sophomore year can also be the perfect opportunity to learn from the mistakes of your freshman year, developing a strong work ethic that will help you thrive in the coming year and put you on a path to discovering your true passions and desired career choice. Now that the stress of starting at a new school and adapting to a new environment is lifted off your shoulders, sophomore year allows you to put your focus on the things that interest you. Although it may seem scary and even overwhelming, discovering the things that you are passionate about is what will make the rest of your high school experience truly fun and enriching. Join a club, sport or organization that sparks excitement and curiosity in you. Explore opportunities offered not only at school but all over the community and city. Sophomore year is the perfect chance to explore new creative and intellectual endeavours considering that
you do not have the pressures of adapting to a new environment that accompanies freshman year or the momentous stress of college preparations common during junior year.
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SOPHOMORE YEAR IS THE PERFECT CHANCE TO EXPLORE NEW CREATIVE AND INTELECTUAL ENDEAVORS, MELANIE NUÑEZ, SOPHOMORE
Also remember to take sophomore year as a chance to improve your work ethic. Now that freshman year is over, it is expected of you to be responsible for your work and you must be able to manage your time efficiently. Sophomore year is an opportune time to cast aside bad habits that result in unproductivity and procrastination
and replace them with useful study patterns and organizational skills. Something that might come in handy when attempting to establish productive work habits is keeping a detailed planner to help organize your week for maximum efficiency. By working in advance, creating schedules, and limiting distractions, procrastination will prove to be much easier to control. Although sophomore year may seem like it lacks any true challenges or as if it is the simplest year of high school, this mindset may lead to rationalizations and hurt the quality of your work. Think of sophomore year as a year to prepare for what is going to be expected of you in the coming year, which includes being more responsible with assignments and deadlines and dealing with a large workload that mimics college-level tasks. If done right, these new skills will help you manage your way through junior year. With proper preparation and determination, sophomore year is nothing to fear. Be open to new opportunities, learn from your mistakes and take chances that may help you find your calling. Sophomore year is often taken for granted, so appreciate the many opportunities it can offer you and the time it gives you to grow as a person. h
