Halfway Through: A Review on Year Two

Three weeks ago, I wrapped up my sophomore year at 7:30pm on a Saturday night. Over the past few weeks, I’ve had the opportunity to reflect on this past year and all that’s changed—for good, bad, or indifferent.

When I think of the person I was coming into sophomore year, it’s almost crazy to believe I’m the same girl that I was then. I felt completely lost, questioning the support systems I had built and unsatisfied with the work I had done so far. I had big dreams for the year ahead, eager to make my impact and ready take my second year of college by storm.

So, here’s a little recap of what’s changed over the past year.

First of all, and most importantly, I made some of the best friends I have ever known. I remember at the end of freshman year, I felt like I didn’t have a solid group of friends to call my own, especially within my sorority. Through the encouragement of my big and grandbig, I decided to take a big leap and sign up to live in my sorority house with twenty other girls (of which I only knew about 5 at the time). I had no idea what to expect, but I knew it was an opportunity for something really special. I am so grateful to the house for turning twenty basically-strangers into some of my best friends—especially my three suitemates. If I could do it over again, I wouldn’t have taken that opportunity for granted as much as I did and spent a little more time within those walls while I had the chance.

Second, I tackled some of my biggest goals for my time in college—giving back to the organizations that I’ve grown to love so dearly. Looking back, I can remember the days anxiously hoping to be elected onto the Executive Board for my sorority, battling imposter syndrome and trying to soak in as much information as I could to be as prepared as possible for the months ahead. It doesn’t feel real sometimes that I’m currently doing the thing I used to dream so much about, and I’m so grateful that I get the chance to do something I love for an organization that means so much to me. I also got to complete an Executive term in my business fraternity and get elected into a new position for my junior year. It’s so fulfilling to be able to contribute in new ways and see myself grow as a leader. Even now when I doubt my abilities or fear what others think of me, I think back to those who have supported me and been kind when it was unnecessary. It helps me believe in myself a little bit more knowing I have people who love me and see good things in me even when I can’t see it myself.

And then there was my ever-so-interesting love life. Sophomore year taught me how to navigate my first real heartbreak, and that sometimes navigating it can be a lot harder than you think. I had to realize the value that I hold and that all we can do is love and continue loving, because bad feelings are often too heavy to carry. In the hard times I also found some of my greatest supporters, and I’m happy to feel not only solid with myself and my worth, but the relationships I have built over the past year that I know will last me through many of life’s hardships yet to come.

One thing that sophomore year taught me that doubles as one of my all-time favorite quotes: You haven’t even met all of the people who are going to love you. Let me say that again: You haven’t even met all of the people who are going to LOVE you. Not like you, not put up with you, but love you. Even outside of romantic relationships, I never imagined how much I could possibly love some of the people that this year has brought me. From my sweet little and best friend Catherine, to my incredible Honors Ambassador family, and every individual person in between, it has never been more evident to me that there is so much love to be felt and given in life. Not only do these people love me and support me through everything, but I love myself more when I’m around them, and that’s probably the best feeling you could ever have.

It's so easy to forget all the progress we’ve made when we’re so caught up in making it to the next step. I know I am extremely guilty of daydreaming and forgetting to stay present to enjoy the good as it happens, but it’s times like these that I can look back and just feel proud of not only the things I’ve achieved, but the person that I have become. I’m a firm believer that we as people are constantly growing and changing in ways we may not see on a daily basis, but in weeks, or months, or even, years.

So thank you, Sophomore Year. Thank you for the love you have shared and the memories you hold. Thank you for challenging me to do things I’ve never done before. Thank you for giving me a chance to achieve what I’ve always dreamed of and being the perfect halfway point to my college career. It may not always have felt like it, but it truly has been a pleasure.