The Sophomore Year Experience at TCNJ

[alarm rings]

I roll over in bed over to check my phone. My eyelids struggle to open. 8:30AM. My mind is telling myself to get out of bed to face the day but my tired and weak muscles from the previous day’s run are telling me no. I suddenly remember the exam I have later in the day, the many meetings I have to go to, and the paper I have due in two days and I feel my heart pounding in my chest really fast and my eyes widening. Okay, Eileen, time to get out of bed. I open the shades to let in some natural sunlight and gaze at the beautiful view of Alumni Grove and the Library (one of the many perks of Sophomore Living in Eick!) to get an idea of the weather outside based on what people are wearing and I take a deep breath in and remind myself that even though I may be one out of the 6,4000 undergraduate students who go to The College of New Jersey but I am called to a greater purpose, to choose faith over fear and to choose to be joyful, despite the many obstacles of the day.

As with any year, Sophomore Year has come with a new season of changes. Your best friends don’t live within 2 feet of you.  Your free time is not spent hanging out in your next door neighbor’s room anymore, but at a meeting with the E-Board of a club that you are now fully involved in, or at the library catching up studying for the exams that just so happened to be scheduled within the same week (as if your professors purposely came together to schedule everything strategically around the same time to torture you) or at the new Campus Town gym, trying the work off all chocolate chip cookies you ate in Eick. You have more responsibilities with the on-campus job you just got, and finally getting to have a car on campus.  And on top of that, it has come to THAT point in the semester where you’re trying to cram all the information from the first half of the semester to study for a midterm and simply just the phrase “scheduling classes” constantly haunts you in your sleep.

Here are some helpful hips to remember at this point in the semester-

1) Find a system of time management what works for you – Scribbling something down from a scrap of notebook paper will not help you remember something. Be practical about how you schedule your daily responsibilities and do whatever you need to do make it happen, even if that means posting sticky notes by your bedside table or setting multiple alarms in your phone to make sure you don’t miss class.

2) Seek help when you need it- Struggling to keep up in a hard class you are regretting you signed up for in the first place? Talk to your professor after class or email him or her. Your professor is there for you for a reason and wants you to succeed.  Or, sign up for a tutor; this semester was the first time I signed up for a tutor and I can already say how much a significant impact it has on my progress in the class.

3.) Take a break– Go outside, get some fresh air. Go for a walk or run around the Loop, or grab some coffee at the Lib Café with a friend; your body and mind need the break. Never be afraid to take up new hobbies or try something new, too, your mental health will thank you in the long run!

And, always remember, that you are going to make it through. You really are. Even though you may think you’re just a college student, trying to get through classes to eventually graduate and find a job, you are unique and designed with so many special interests, talents, and passions. And eventually, one day, you will be able to use those gifts in whatever field or occupation you choose to go out and make an impact on someone’s life!

I am a Sophomore Elementary Education and Psychology major at The College of New Jersey and am originally from Marlboro, New Jersey. I am seeking to be an Elementary School Teacher in the future. I also am experienced in and love working with children of all ages. Some of my personal interests are photography, graphic design, and running and I am involved with New Jersey Christian Fellowship, Voice of Hope A Capella Group, and the Psychology Department Advisory Board here on campus. I love the close-knit feeling that TCNJ provides and all the opportunities to be involved and meet new people.

The leaves are falling, the air is turning colder, the hot chocolate gatherings are beginning, and the semester is also quickly coming to an end.

As the semester comes to a close, it’s normal to see more and more people pulling their hair out trying to decide what to do about their schedule for next semester or they’re still trying to figure out what they’re doing with their major, and even more just questioning where they fit in.

Questioning your major and trying to find your niche is a very normal part of transitioning to college. At some point, most of us are bound to say: “is this really what I want to do?” or “where do I belong here?”

YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

When it comes to majors, it can get complicated. You may feel a strong connection to the general topic but you can feel like something is missing. You may feel like the classes are too stressful even if you liked the subject before. You may feel like the major you chose is entirely wrong. There are numerous feelings that any one person can experience at once when it comes to deciding your future. However, if you DO doubt your major, you need to keep in mind the endless possibilities TCNJ offers. YOUR MAJOR SHOULD FIT YOU, not the other way around. There are a variety of ways to make your personalized major:

–Design your own major! This takes a lot of work, but if it helps you create the perfect learning path for you, it is completely worth it. I know someone who wants to be a professor but he wanted to take more Social Science classes rather than Education, but still call it education; he was able to do that with a self-designed major! Sometimes you know EXACTLY what you want to do but the major closest to it isn’t fulfilling enough. If that’s the case, try this out! Talk it through with your advisor and see if this is a path you should take.

-Add a minor (or two)! Some people, in deciding whether to minor or not will often see if they can find a connection between their major and the minor and if there is a specific job out there for that combination, but IT DOESN’T HAVE TO MAKE SENSE (at least not right away). If you have a passion for it, go for it! If you don’t take the chance, you could miss out on opportunities that eventually might call for the combination of both even if you don’t see it initially. Also, if you need any more reason to pick a minor, it’s a fairly simple option. You only need to fill out one form and everything is set! I know several students with more than one minor or people who wish they had added a minor. Don’t let “making sense” stop you from adding a little sprinkle to your major.

-Choose a specialization! Some majors have pre-made options to choose from if you want to focus on a specific “topic”, if you will, within your major. If your major has it, research them a little! Sometimes they aren’t what you want, but it doesn’t hurt to take a peek at what they’re all about. Schedule a meeting with your advisor! Ask questions!

-Double major! Students tend to shy away from double majoring because of the course load, but don’t back down from the challenge if you have more than one thing that you are passionate about, or if you don’t think your major alone is enough. And, once again, IT DOESN’T HAVE TO MAKE SENSE right away. You never know what possibilities you’ll come across if you just take the chance and follow your instincts and passions.

No matter what you decide to do, remember YOU MAKE YOUR OWN PATH and TCNJ is there to help you. YOU CHOOSE what you study, so take the path that helps you to get to the future YOU WANT.

Even if you’re not entirely sure at first what you want to do, sometimes taking one intro class is all you need, or talk to the professors in charge! Do not be afraid to visit them at office hours or schedule a meeting with them. If there were anyone to ask about what a certain major, minor, or specialization entails it would be the person who teaches and does research within that subject area.

AND ONE LAST THING:

There is no written rule that you need to graduate on time. If you decide a little late what you want to do IT IS OKAY. Take another year at school. The important thing is that you find your own path and OWN IT. Going through with something that you completely hate or are unsure of is worse than spending another year or two after you find the perfect fit. Or use a year to:

-Study abroad

-Do an internship

-Start a research project

-Do some work for an organization you support

There are endless possibilities, so don’t let graduating or not graduating on time stop you from taking part in opportunities like these.

Okay, I lied…one more piece of advice…

Don’t stop! Believing!

HOLD ON TO THAT FEEEEEEEELINGGGGGGG

(Seriously though, don’t stop believing in yourself~ you can do it!)

Yani Aldrich is a sophomore Sociology major with a minor in Japanese (and working on double majoring in Finance). She doesn’t know exactly what she wants to do in the future, but she has found her passion and loves what she’s studying even though it’s hard sometimes! She loves watching movies, hanging out with friends, and reading Dan Brown books.

Effectively managing your time is hard work, but a little effort goes a long way.

I don’t exactly have the proper qualifications to be giving advice on time management. I’m currently trying to squeeze a paper, two assignments, and a book into the next two days (before Homecoming festivities this weekend). But, for the most part, I try my best to stay on top of things!

A busy schedule combined with endless due dates can be daunting, and working into the wee hours of the night is always an unpleasant reminder of how beneficial time management can be. If you haven’t already developed ways to stay organized and on top of your work, I suggest you start.

Between schoolwork, club activities, sports, jobs, and other responsibilities, it often feels like there is no room to breathe. Making an effort to plan out a schedule that works best for you will do wonders.

Here are a few ways I like to effectively manage my time.

1. Write everything out.

• I prefer to write out my day-to-day schedule in a notebook, and write my exams, due dates of long-term assignments, and other activities on a calendar, but anything will work.
• As long as you write out what needs to get done and when it is due (as well as responsibilities besides schoolwork), you will have a general idea of when you will be busiest.
• Use a planner, your laptop, your phone, sticky-notes, anything. Just lay out all assignments and due dates ahead of time; after all, each professor gives a syllabus for a reason!
• If you want to be extra organized, color coding categories on your calendar/in your planner can be helpful as well.

2. Make to-do lists with the goals you want to accomplish each day.

• Whether it’s a few paragraphs of a paper, a chapter of a book, or some research for a project, if you do a little each day, tackling it all will be much easier.
• If you like having a clear plan of the entire day, also put things besides schoolwork on your to-do lists: when you have class, when you will go to the gym, any meetings you have to attend.
• Crossing off everything you did at the end of the day will be extremely satisfying.

3. When actually doing work, eliminate distractions.

• If you find yourself getting distracted by friends when studying, sit by yourself.
• If you can’t help but go on Facebook on your laptop when writing a paper, maybe handwrite the paper first, and type it later.
• If you are enticed by phone notifications, turn off your phone for a while and put it somewhere you can’t reach it.
• Do whatever you can to make your valuable time as productive as possible!

• Worrying about managing your crazy schedule will not help you get anything done! You WILL finish everything eventually.
• Feeling overworked/stressed in college is inevitable, especially as school gets more serious sophomore year. But, by managing your time well, you can still fit in a relaxing day here and there and regularly get a good night’s sleep.
• You should never have to sacrifice your mental or physical health to finish a paper or project. Doing assignments little by little will help you fit them into your schedule and keep your stress level as low as possible.

Assignments do pile up, plans don’t always work out, and while education comes first, nothing is worse than having to sacrifice a fun night with friends or a club event to do work at the library!

Getting things done in a timely manner is possible if you start with a little organization and effort. In the words of Tom Haverford, “Sometimes you gotta work a little, so you can ball a lot.” What are you waiting for?

Hi!! My name is Maggie, and I’m a sophomore accounting major. I’m a huge fan of PB&J, kind people, and anything that makes me laugh. Typically, you can find me drinking coffee at the lib caf or re-watching episodes of The Office.

Since I had an unproductive summer and was desperate to do something constructive and rewarding, perhaps this was why I felt an unusually high adrenaline rushed as my cousin’s 2009 silver model of the Dodge Charger turned on Pennington Road. However, about an hour and a half after I finished unpacking my luggage, as I sat on my freshly made bed, that initial flame of excitement that I experienced was quickly being reduced to little sparks and the void left within me was being filled with huge waves of sadness and regrets. It hit me that I did not have anyone on standby ready to spend the rest of the Sunday afternoon with me. It is not that I don’t know anyone, indeed, it is common knowledge between my gym buddies that I know almost about everyone on campus. That feeling was exemplified when one night from Decker to T-Dubs and back, I was stopped to either say hi, fist bump, or engage in a quick laugh/embrace with about 15 different people; yet it is unthinkable that I would pick up my phone and invite any of these people to engage in an activity such as lunch or dinner. Also, I have absolutely no problem approaching any of my former floor mates in Eick, the Stud or the Lion’s Den to eat and laugh with them when they are already there, yet I will never even think about inviting anyone of them to lunch, my gym buddies being the exceptions. These examples perfectly encapsulate the biggest mistake of my freshman year; I failed to cultivate meaningful relationships. I successfully made acquaintances but not friends. Of course in a college setting where networking is imperative, having 200 acquaintances is better than having a few really good friends. Nevertheless, getting close to people is extremely necessary, and one does not necessarily have to choose between the two. Yet I did, and I paid the price. Quite often I felt lonely and isolated on campus even though I knew numerous fun, loving and accepting people. I was close enough to these people to be engaged in a friendly conversation at a party, at one of the restaurants on campus and even sit and chat with them at the alumni grove and what not, but not close enough to actually hang out with them. By the time I realized this predicament, I felt it was too late to salvage the situation given that people already formed their little cliques.

This situation was alien to me because as a Haitian native, I spent the early years of my childhood in a small village where everybody knew each other and rarely moved away. Having friends were inevitable; kids would inadvertently become friends with each other even if they tried not to. Furthermore, I found myself in a town that is heavily populated with Haitians after I came to America. Due to our bond of soccer, I was always ensured at least a couple of dozen friends ever since I walked on the varsity soccer team. Given how people were always on standby ready to be my friends through out of my life, coming to college I took for granted the necessity to go out and build close relationships.

In order to change that, this year I decided to invest more in people. I take the initiative to follow up on people I met this year and catch up with the old ones. I take genuine interests in others likes and dislikes and cross the boundary of my comfort zone when it comes to meeting people. Also I join and invest in different organizations. I say “join and invest” because the latter is as important as the former. It is not enough to just join a club, but taking an active role in a club is rewarding and will most likely lead to good relationships with other members. I could already see a positive change in my social life.  I have grown closer to people I already knew and get really close to new ones. My gym buddies are now my good friends, I am taking guitar lesson from my latest friend; I am enjoying learning about the theory of music as much as I would love to practice it. My new friend promised to teach me how to play my first piece of music over the upcoming weekend; something that got me as excited as a wakeful 8 year old boy on the night of Christmas Eve. More importantly, my roommate and I are steadily building a network of cards and domino players, something that would be unthinkable in previous years. Last year, I would dismiss such an idea with such petulance in my demeanor; I would presumably feel abashed for carrying myself in a manner that would lead my roommate to think that I would even entertain such a daft idea.

During a workshop in my first few days as a college student, a TCNJ administrator said, “Go out and meet different people. Don’t always eat with your clique, get to know other people. Allow others to penetrate your clique. It’s college, it’s an opportunity to network.” I took the advice and ran with it, but my downfall was that, I didn’t have to leave my “clique” or allow an outsider to penetrate it, I never bother to have one in the first place.

Fernandes Vincent is an open options major with a pre-law concentration. He dreams of becoming a law professor and possibly a Supreme Court Justice. He also loves soccer – watching it and playing it.

I know exactly what you’re thinking… This post is going to be a “get your butt to the gym and work out” kind of thing where I tell you all about the benefits of getting fit while you lay in your bed noshing on something crunchy, salty, and probably delicious.  But seriously, sophomore year is a great time to start over.  A time to wipe freshman year clean and pretend none of the unhealthy habits you developed actually stuck with you.  Sophomore year is all about growing as an adult and blah blah blah but when it comes down to it, taking care of our bodies and our minds is one of the best things we can do for ourselves as we get older.  Getting in shape and being conscious of what we eat is really going to help us out in the long run.

Ok, ok, so maybe I lied a little bit.  I really do want to tell you about how fitness can help improve your college life, and even life after college.  Have you ever started studying for something and you can’t seem to keep your eyes open for the life of you? Or have you ever woken up in the morning and felt more tired than before you went to sleep? Well, I have amazing news for you.  Exercise is a cure-all for all of these symptoms and countless others.  Exercise is like a type of medication that is a) almost always free b) can be done anywhere, and anytime and c) thrown at you left and right at college.  I mean they just spent a ridiculous amount of money on a new fitness facility for the students here at TCNJ… here it comes… GO OUT AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT! You’ll be surprised to find out that grabbing some friends and setting some time aside to make a gym trip is actually fun!! And you may even decide to go again and again! And if going to the gym really isn’t your thing there are also many, and I mean MANY, other options at TCNJ.  Below I have compiled a few of my favorite ways to exercise on campus:

• Running around the loop (Metzger Drive) – If you’re feeling super adventurous there are also many recreational parks in and around Ewing, research some online before heading out and always be careful!

• Doing in-dorm workout videos (with your roommate(s) too!) – there are so many workout videos on Youtube and other sites that offer free guided exercises! Here is an example of one of my favorites to do in my dorm room:

https://www.youtube.com/user/FitnessBlender

• Going for a walk – Take some time to get out of your dusty dorm room and go for a walk, either by yourself or with a friend, and enjoy some fresh air while taking in the view!

• Yes, going to the gym

• Swimming at the pool in Packer Hall – Here is a link to the open swim hours for October 2015:

https://aquaticcenter.tcnj.edu/files/2015/09/Aquatic-Center-October-2015-Open-Swim.pdf

• Attending a fitness class at the Rec Center (Yoga, Zumba, even Kickboxing!) – here is the link to the TCNJ Rec Center homepage:

http://tcnjfitnesscenter.weebly.com/

• Playing games outside with friends – football, soccer, tag; we may be in college but these games are still fun!!!

• Joining an intramural sports team – grab some friends and make your own volleyball team, or meet new people and get a pickup basketball game going.

The possibilities are endless with intramural sports, here’s how to get started:

https://recreation.tcnj.edu/intramural-sports/

• Playing beach volleyball on the sand courts outside the towers – If you see me walking around campus and are looking for people to get a volleyball game going, SIGN ME UP. Hands down, beach volleyball is one of the most fun ways to stay active at TCNJ.

So, when all is said and done, finding a way to exercise is as easy as finding junk food to munch on.  But now that you’re well informed about the many exercise and fitness options TCNJ has to offer you’re probably going to drop that bag of chips and go run to the gym, RIGHT?! Now, I know it will take some time to get used to fitting exercise into your busy routine, but let me just tell you that you’ll be glad you did.

Hi! My name is Karley and I’m a sophomore Electrical Engineering major. I’m a coffee-dependent, cereal-loving, morning type of person who also occasionally likes to run a half marathon here and there. My hobbies include eating breakfast, working out, and playing volleyball. I also enjoy all things pumpkin spice.

When I first stepped on to the TCNJ campus as a freshman, I was thrilled about many of the benefits college had to offer. It’s a chance to finally be independent, a chance to expand your horizons and get out of your small hometown, and a chance to discover more about yourself than you ever have before. College offers countless opportunities, and it is one of the most perfect places to make connections that will last you a lifetime.  It was safe to say I was exhilarated to start a new chapter of my life. However, there was one chapter that I was trying to ignore for as long as possible, a chapter that sadly cannot be unread in a college atmosphere: Academics.

Like most freshman, I was terrified of how intense classes would be compared to high school.  I will be the first to admit that in high school I was able to coast through tests and quizzes with minimal studying and still come out on top with an A. However, I knew that would change in college, and I went into my first class prepared to study hard and get a good grade. My hard work paid off, and after my first semester I ended up on the Dean’s List. I was proud of myself, but that pride did not last for long. After attending a seminar that stressed how important it is in a college setting to form connections with your classmates and professors, I left the lecture hall with the realization I had not truly connected with either of them my first semester. I may have finished my first semester with a great transcript, but so far my letters of recommendations were non-existent.

So I set out to fix that fault my second semester. And I am happy to say I succeeded – I bonded with professors that I still stay in contact with to this day, and befriended a research group I took part in. I made it my goal to not only study hard but to make sure I now had a voice in the classroom, and to make myself more involved to ensure my presence was noted. I was no longer someone who just took notes in the back of the room, but rather someone who interacted in the class and took the initiative to stand out. Compared to my first semester, my grades may have dropped a tiny bit, but what was important was that I found the balance of getting a good grade and forming friendships.

When it came time to select classes for my sophomore year, nervousness in my stomach arose. None of the classes in my shopping cart were easy, and I knew I was going to have to work harder than ever. I became worried that I would fall back to being the student who worked hard but formed no connection in the classroom, but now that this semester is halfway over, I realized I have learned quite a few lessons just from being a sophomore for a few short months.

I first learned that I have become a much more experienced student. My classes are hard yes, and I have to devote many hours of the day to ensure I stay on track with what they demand, but I have gained the skills I need to do well without even realizing I was learning these attributes.  My time management has improved greatly, and as long as I stay on schedule all my work gets done.

I also learned how simple it is to bond with a professor. I’ll admit that I used to be afraid to go to office hours out of the fear that I’ll ask a stupid question, but the professors want nothing more than to help you. By going to office hours, you are not only demonstrating that you care about your work, but you are bonding with your professor at the same time.  And a student does not even have to go that far to create a connection. Participation in the classroom can go a long way, and your grade school teacher was right when she told you there is no such thing as a stupid question. Your professors want participation, and I have witnessed far too many awkward silences where a professor asks a question and gets nothing in return. I have learned now that it is completely OK to be wrong, because the professor will take note of your effort and see you are trying to learn the material. And quite frankly, your professor will thank you for not leaving them in the front of the room hanging.

When it comes to making sure I actively participate in groups, I learned a few minutes could go a long way. By simply meeting up with your group a few minutes before you planned, you can get to know the members on more of an intimate level. In my current research group, we now all know what type of field we hope to study in the future, and have promised each other that if we hear of a good opportunity or a perfect class for the future occupation, we will let the others know. That bond would not have been possible if we did not devote the time to get to know each other more, and it is crucial to have connections in your major so you have some study buddies to turn to when lessons get hard.

Sophomore year classes can surely be different from freshman year classes. They’ll be harder, but you’re also wiser. It is important to work hard, but make sure you are also creating those crucial bonds. By simply going to office hours, participating, and befriending classmates, you will improve your networking immensely, and you’ll be a much more successful student in the long run.

When I’m not studying psychology, you can find me either playing volleyball, spending time with my family and friends, or reading a book (most likely Harry Potter). – Steph Chalmers

It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of freshmen year; from new friends to sudden independence to the late night temptation we know as TDubbs. However, sophomore year soon rolls around along with heavier workloads, growing maturity, and plans for the future. There also comes the realization that socializing takes a little more effort now. Many of us feel we missed the boat freshmen year when it comes to getting involved on campus, but joining clubs or teams isn’t as intimidating as it may seem, and it’s definitely not too late to start. Here’s a few ways to get involved if you haven’t already:

1. Ask around– Start accompanying your friends to their club meetings, even if you aren’t sure you want to join. This is smart for several reasons: 1. You don’t have to commit to joining, you’re just “along for the ride.” You can see if you like it before you give the club your email address. 3. You might be surprised at how much you love the atmosphere of the organization. Give it a go.
2. Sign up- Oh, you were getting meal equiv while the student activities fairs for the past two years were taking place? There’s still hope for you, my friend. If there’s a club you have in mind, but never had the chance to sign up for, check out this link and and shoot an email. https://studentactivities.tcnj.edu/organizations-a-z/
3. Go to events- Most events on campus are run by student organizations. Clubs are always looking for new members and are usually advertising what they do at these events, so ask questions. They’ll be eager to see you have an interest, and you’ll probably get some free goodies for attending.
4. Stay in the know- Whether there is a team you intend to try out for or a Greek life organization you plan on rushing, it’s important to stay on top of your schedules. Know when tryouts or meetings are, and keep in touch with whoever may be in charge. Setting a few phone reminders is a good way to keep yourself in line.
5. Consider your resume- Clubs are supposed to be fun, so don’t let this one scare you. But if you have an idea of your future career, there’s a good chance you can find a related club on campus. Most majors have their own clubs, which is not only a smart resume addition, but also a way to meet others in your major. There are clubs that allow you to exercise your writing skills, while other groups are into networking.
6. Be active- Signing up isn’t enough. Going to meetings regularly is a big step, but being an active member of any organization means volunteering your time and effort to fundraise can go a long way. You’ll be more passionate about a group that you have participate in often.
7. Lionsgate- You’ve gotten the emails, and you’ve probably ignored them. But Lionsgate is a great way to keep up-to-date on all those organizations you’re going to join after reading this. (Right?) Just login to https://lionsgate.tcnj.edu/ and request to join the clubs you’re interested in.

The biggest key to getting involved and meeting new people is to remind yourself to step outside your comfort zone. There will be times in college that you are uncomfortable, but experiencing new things, not matter how small is so worth it. Maybe you can’t find a friend to come with you to a club and it’s already the mid-semester point. Maybe you’re afraid to sign up for a team or organization you think you aren’t qualified for. When will you ever get another chance for the opportunities that await you now? College has so many experiences to offer you, and it is to your benefit to take advantage of these opportunities while you can. Join the crew team, host your own radio show, fix houses in New Orleans, or become president of the knitting club. Do something that scares you and challenge yourself. Strive to do things that aren’t typical for you, and you will be amazed at what you find. It’s never too late to start.

My name is Cassidy Cardone and I am a Communication Studies major from Clifton, NJ. I’m a member of the Cross Country/ Track team and I’m also a DJ for WTSR. I love running, pizza, and puns.

It’s October now and we’re all well enough into sophomore year to have a set rhyme and rhythm to our everyday lives. So I thought it would be fun to write about a day in the life of sophomore year me because I’m a lot cooler than I was freshman year.

Naturally, I brainstormed and thought of what I did on an average day compared to last year, and I concluded that if I wrote for you “The Day in the Life of Bhakti” it would be a very short, monotonous prose on basically the same thing I did as a freshman…

Then I thought that maybe I wasn’t thinking hard enough and decided to ask some of my friends to see if they could spark some ideas.

I asked, “What do you do that makes an average day now notably different from last year?”
Let’s just say I got a range of answers from “Crying” which I guess means they are more attuned with their emotions, to “I poop more often” which could attest to a change in the quality of Eick food, and “I have a boyfriend now” so they probably have to make time in their day for that extra chore. But other than that my friends said they sleep, attend classes, do homework, and hangout like they did last year.

This answer did not satisfy me because sophomores had to be cooler than freshman somehow! I got some more answers to my question and one particular stood out to me:

“Not a lot has changed except I wake up next to my best friend instead of my old roommate.”

And then it finally hit me! Freshman year was a test trial year where we blindly went about our days and rolled with whatever came at us. Sophomore year is a refined version of those days because now we are wiser, more resourceful, and more independent. My pool of who, what, where, and when has decreased substantially without me even realizing. It’s the reason why I go to meal equiv at 12:10 instead of 12:20 and avoid having 8 am classes like it’s the plague. I don’t have to eat a sad salad at Eick because I can cook a three-course meal in my building’s kitchen. And when I’m bored I don’t settle for random people on my floor, I hangout with the people I know will truly make me happy.

We’re all stuck in a loop of “Wake up, grab a brush and put a little makeup,” and we’re probably going to be for the rest of our college careers. But it’s the knowledge we gain from our prior years that makes an average day in the life of us, sophomores, so much cooler than it was last year.

My name is Bhakti Moradia and I am a Biology Major! My hometown is Parsippany, New Jersey and I have lived there my whole life. I like long walks on the beach and warm hugs. I am also a hummus enthusiast.

The new school year has been going on for more than a month. Students have already settled into their new routines, freshmen have learned the ropes, and those with roommates learn to live with one another. As a sophomore, we get to pick our roommates at the end of our freshmen year, and we all know what that means.

Friends living together as roommates.

That sounds great right? You get along with your friend, you share similar interests, hang out all the time, laugh, and have a good time together. So it only makes sense that you would want to room with your friend. It’s great, the two of you spend the summer talking about your room. How it will look and who will bring what. Then it’s move in day.

Everything should be good right? You’re living with one of your closest friends! It’s gonna be a great year! But sometimes, even though two people can be close that doesn’t necessarily mean that they can live together.

Friends, yes. Roommates? Maybe not the best idea.

A person can be your best friend for years, that’s fine. But there is a difference between being friends and being roommates. It’s a whole different set of rules that you have to follow, and no one really realizes it until it’s too late.

Of course, there is the option of switching rooms and moving out, but that could strain a relationship, which no one wants. So, instead you learn to live with it. But that shouldn’t mean you have to deal with certain things that annoy you about your friend.

There are measures you take will ensure that you and your friend will be able to live together for the rest of the year. It’s up to you whether or not you want to confront these problems, or learn to deal with it.

A common problem that many friends/roommates deal with is borrowing. One roommate uses the other roommates things without permission. It’s commonplace, because there is that mentality of ‘Oh we’re friends so he/she’ll be fine with letting me use it’.

That’s not always the case.

It’s usually best, when signing the roommate contract for example, to address this before it becomes a problem. That way both of you can agree to ask permission before borrowing an item.

However, if it’s past that time and your roommate is using your things without asking, there is also another solution that not many people usually follow; talking to them. Not everyone wants to address an issue because they want t avoid confrontation, but it’s always best to step up and tell your roommate that you don’t want him/her to use your things without your permission.

Explaining yourself, and addressing the problem will help you in the long run. Your friend may even respect you more for it.

Don’t be afraid to speak up, it’s your right because they’re your things. If the problem does not resolve itself, try locking the important things away. Put them in a place your friend wouldn’t think to look, under your bed, or in your closet, but only is the situation is not solved.

While yes you have to live with this person because they’re your roommate, they are also your friend. So use that to your advantage, because communication is a big part in not just getting along t, but living together as well.

My name is Alejandra Naranjo, I am sophomore and an English major. I love to read, write, and play video games in my spare time. My favorite classes this year, so far, is Early modern British Literature and my Spanish classes.

I learned what the word “sophomoric” means when I was in tenth grade, and while I can’t say that I find it particularly flattering, at least being a sophomore in college means that the stigma of “freshman” is finally removed. Starting your second year comes without the anxieties of the first – you picked your own roommate, you know how meal equiv works, and there’s no fear of getting lost on the first few days of classes (unless you have class in Bliss, where room 230 comes after room 226 but before room 228). As seasoned sophomores, we are now in a position where we can pass on such wisdom to the newbies – but we’re technically not yet upperclassmen, either.

Welcome to the middle.

Since the TCNJ campus is relatively small, there’s minimal danger of getting physically lost, but if you’re like me, you’re probably still feeling somewhat lost internally. Most likely, you’re settled on your major, but now we begin the transition from introductory courses to more advanced ones. Let’s be blunt: classes are harder this year. My number theory professor defines one of his course goals as “introducing students to the joys and frustrations of doing mathematics.” (We’re three weeks in, and that promise already holds true.) Aside from that, though, there’s also the realization that a single major isn’t going to occupy all of your time here. So what about adding minors? I personally love the idea because it can either complement your major, or simply be something you enjoy and want to learn about more. For instance, I fulfilled all my literary arts requirements in my first year, but I couldn’t turn down a class called Global Fairytales for this semester, and I love it so far. Now I’m thinking about adding creative writing or English as a minor, or even a second major.

Then there’s the even more pressing question: once I’ve got all these majors and minors under my belt, what exactly do I want to do with them? My solution: ask anyone and everyone about their experiences. People love talking about themselves. All you have to do is ask, and most people will be willing to talk about anything. Upperclassmen are a great resource for advice on things like choosing classes and applying for internships, since they were literally us two years ago. Talk to professors, too – a lot of them have had other jobs in their field besides being full time professors. During office hours, I once asked a professor about his research, and he ended up taking me all the way back to his childhood in Spur, Texas. All you have to do is ask.

Don’t forget about the people in your life outside of school, either. Over the summer, I worked in the same restaurant where I worked in high school, and when one of my regular customers asked me how school was going, I found out that he had been a math major, too. Previously, all we had talked about was why he likes salsa on his tacos, but not tomatoes. (He really doesn’t have a good answer for that, if you were curious.) Now, every time he comes in to pick up his order, he stays for half an hour chatting about why he loves math. I learned from him something I wasn’t able to figure out my entire freshman year – how proofs are actually useful if you’re not a professor. His response? “Why, I use proofs all the time! Induction is a fantastic tool!” As a computer programmer for HD radio, it turns out that he uses proofs to verify the correctness of algorithms that he writes. (He then went on to explain a lot of technical processes that I didn’t quite understand, but I suppose it’s flattering that he thought I knew what he was talking about). My point, though, is that people love sharing their experiences, and it can be the most useful thing in figuring out what you want to do.

So while we may be stuck in the middle for now, don’t forget that three years really isn’t a long time in the grand scheme of things. In tenth grade, it felt like high school would never end, and look where we are now. Enjoy your year, keep working on figuring out your life, stay inquisitive, and if you haven’t jumped in the fountain yet and you still want to, you might want to take care of that as well (although I learned from an upperclassmen that you should take care to choose a night when there is no dye in the water, so you don’t have to walk home stained blue). Here’s to the middle!

• Emily Thompson is a sophomore mathematics major.