Each year at the University is unique and comes with its own set of new experiences and, occasionally, problems. For the first years, the struggle is predominantly between experiencing the awesomeness of the University for the first time and avoiding being pegged as a newcomer.
For the second years, the problems are much more varied, I’ve listed some of the major cons below.
1. Classes are harder
Suddenly, you’re no longer only taking intro classes and free time is lacking. You’re not ready to devote yourself to your studies and become a hermit, but you can’t fake your way through 3000-level classes, so sometimes this is the only option. This, of course, leads to some serious FOMO when your roommates go out on a Thursday night and you’re writing a paper. The only thing that makes it worse is when they come back at 3 a.m. and you’re still writing the paper, not much farther in than you were when they left.
2. You’re expected to have an idea of what you’re doing with your life
During first year, it was perfectly fine to be undeclared, undecided and not thinking too hard about it. All you had to do was take a bunch of random classes and shop around for a potential major. Unfortunately, at some point in your second year, you’re expected to have declared something. You should have an idea of what you enjoy and perhaps have a tentative idea of what future career you might pursue. If not, parents will begin to wonder what exactly they’re paying for, and nosy relatives will begin to talk.
3. You sometimes get mistaken for a first year, and that just sucks
No offense to first years, but being mistaken for one can just be insulting. You go through an entire year with the first year stigma, only to realize you have a baby face and are never going to be mistaken as older than your age. Additionally, any sense of superiority gets wiped away when you realize you’re not very far removed from newcomers to the University. Any uncharitable thought you have ever had about first years is, in turn, being thought about you because you still look like one.
Luckily for us second years, there are a few pros that make the struggle worth it.
1. You know your place at the University
Unlike last year, you’re not arriving without friends or a sense of direction. You know where most of the buildings are and have memorized the bus routes. If not, you have friends to help you. You are established — you man the booths at the activities fair instead of browsing through them and, after, you hang out with your friends at the hole-in-the-wall restaurant you discovered last year. There is no desperate struggle to find “a group” because you have already discovered many different groups of people to hang out with.There is a confidence that comes with experience and, luckily, you now have that experience.
2. Anything is better than first year dorms
Though you may look back at your first year living experience with nostalgia, you know you are in a better place. Whether it be on-Grounds or off, you have amenities and freedom you never enjoyed during first year. The kitchen is a godsend, and if you’re lucky enough to have a washer and dryer — well, there are no words for that. The only potential issue is the distance to Central Grounds, but I lived in Dillard last year — so what’s the difference?
Overall, second year is harder academically and, if all progresses naturally, third and fourth year will be even worse. However, I cannot emphasize enough the importance of feeling comfortable with yourself and your place at the University.
Abigail’s column runs biweekly Wednesdays. She can be reached at a.lague@cavalierdaily.com.
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