By the time students reach October in their sophomore year, they typically start going to bed later, waking up earlier, and feeling more overwhelmed than ever before. To some students, this is a natural part of their school year. For many others, it can be referred to as the “sophomore slump.” 

Not all students hit this “slump,” but they face the challenges the new school year brings them in one way or another. The slump can hit students in higher-level classes harder, as the workload is heavier and the expectations are greater, but “the slump” can generally affect students in any range of classes. Avoiding some type of academic roadblock during any school year sounds virtually impossible, but with tips and tricks from current and previous sophomores, the slump might be easier to face. 

“It wasn’t as bad as I made it out to be, but I still went through a slump. Part of that was because I was still learning to deal with my procrastination,” senior Emily Herger said. “Something no one realizes about it is that it’s not as simple as ‘stop procrastinating.’ It takes time to fully change a habit and stick with it.”

But while remembering it is one thing, experiencing it is another. Some sophomores also described their experience this ongoing school year, as well as the “seamless” transition from freshman to sophomore year. 

“I honestly think I hit it in the first week,” sophomore Samantha Shaw said. 

Opinions differ between sophomores, but all agree they’ve slowed down on their productivity this year. Sophomore Anna Boyes partially agreed with Shaw.

“I think I’ve almost hit it. I feel like I’ve definitely seen my effort slow down with the amount of work I’m doing. I don’t feel like I’ve lost all motivation,” Boyes said. 

Workloads and schedules are a main source of the sophomore year stress, making the transition from freshman year to sophomore year even harder. The jump from middle school to freshman year is a notable one, but what about the jump between grades in high school? 

“For the first week or two, you barely notice it, you’re happy to be back,” Boyes said. “Once you start getting work, it’s obvious the teachers hold you to a higher standard. It’s calm at first, but it gets really extreme, especially if you are taking harder classes.”

Other current sophomores agreed with this opinion, reflecting on the beginning of the school year. 

“I didn’t realize how big of a transition it would be,” Shaw said. 

Despite its notable difficulty, tips from present and past sophomores could give opportunities for better preparation. 

“I think if there are any tips, I would try to incorporate them,” Boyes said. 

Shaw shared a tip about scheduling that helped them during the slump.

“I’ve tried to balance my schedule, get things done in advance rather than procrastinate and do them at the last minute,” Shaw said. 

Other sophomores added on with tips they are currently finding helpful to stay on top of their schoolwork. 

“I started putting screen time on apps I realize I use a lot. When I try to procrastinate, I use [them],” Boyes said.  “I’ll also start with easy work, so I’m already doing it, and it’s easier to finish everything at once.” 

Mor agreed with Boyes regarding limiting social media usage, recalling how it felt to constantly doomscroll.

“It was difficult for me to set these limits, but I realized the feeling of getting an A+ felt way better than doomscrolling,” Mor said. 

Mor also advertised using a calendar and timer to keep up with work. 

“Set times for studying in specific subjects, and when to do homework in specific subjects. It’s key to do both.” 

Another past sophomore added on, giving tips they use to ensure they don’t fall behind. 

“A major thing I did to help me was write all my assignments down in order of importance and when they were due. Writing them down significantly helped me plan my nights out, and I wasn’t scrambling to hand assignments in,” Herger said. 

Organization and time management are said to be essential parts of staying ahead of the slump, and NVD students have recommended even more ways to do so. 

“My calendar app [ticktick.com] has a pomodoro timer. I use the pomodoro method almost every time I study so that during my breaks I can eat, speak with my friends, and go on social media.” Mor said.

A pomodoro timer is a timer that allows you to work in 25-minute increments, but gives you a five-minute (or longer) break to reset, and could prove to be a valuable tool for staying on task. Herger also stressed utilizing the given tools, such as extra help, to make the experience easier. 

“I always thought when I was younger that going for extra help was stupid and that others would find me less smart because I didn’t know what I was doing, but in reality, it did the exact opposite. The support is there, and I highly suggest you take advantage of it,” Herger said. 

Juniors and seniors also reflected back on their sophomore year and voiced things they wish they had done, or done differently. 

“If I could go back to sophomore year a second time, I would tell myself: ‘Just do it. Stop waiting for motivation because you probably won’t have any,” Mor said. “The first step is always the hardest; once you overcome that first step, you’ll succeed.” 

If they were given a second chance at sophomore year, juniors and seniors would likely revise some of their study habits and overall work ethic. 

“Something that I would do differently is understand that assignments don’t just disappear. You can push something off for as long as you want to; in the end, no assignment will be excused just because you didn’t do it. It’s your responsibility to get your work done,” Herger said. 

Current and past sophomores shared tips directly for the freshmen to follow. Boyes explained that school can become your “life,” but it’s important to find time for yourself, too. 

“Try to get as much sleep as you can, plan your classes with things you enjoy doing, set up break periods, give yourself a built-in free or fun elective so you have a break during the day, and have time for things you want to do.”

Shaw agreed, stressing you should understand what you are capable of doing. 

“I recommend you don’t overload yourself with work. Don’t take 2 AP’s because you think ‘it’s really good for college,’ do them if you know you’re capable of doing it,” Shaw said.

Going into the second year of high school can sound intimidating to some, especially with the ominous “sophomore slump” hanging above their heads. However, students advise that it’s important to focus on what can be controlled and to utilize recommended strategies. 

“If you don’t take APs, it doesn’t mean you are a bad student; you can still be a great one. And if you do take APs, make sure you balance your time, then you’ll be a successful student,” Shaw said. “Don’t ruin your school year with work, make time for friends and activities, and you’ll have a good year.”