5 Ways to Avoid the Sophomore Slump (and Other Excuses)April 22, 2019

Do second-year university students suffer from sophomore slump? The question may seem ridiculous after first hearing about it, as it applies to sport. Then again, closer observation would reveal that there could be such a thing.

Incoming second-year students become familiar with the campus, which won't thrill them anymore. The paper writing may have affected them during their first year, such that they lose their so-called killer instinct. Some might be thinking of not passing up many opportunities to party, which can affect their attitude. Anxiety also plays a part, as thesis writing (and more paper writing) come to mind from time to time. Reality would sink in, which could cause trouble in the horizon. Something can be done, yet it might be hard to spot someone as consistent as Roger Federer. There may not be another one who could make a turnaround like Tiger Woods. And there won't be an amazing set of siblings like the Campbell sisters. Students wouldn't relate to any of them, if not know them a least. However, it's possible to deal with sophomore slump.

The first step is to acknowledge those excuses, which they could have been telling yourself (and the other students) on more than one occasion. It should be opposite to that can-do mindset that athletes have learned at a young age. It could also be the lack of the sense of urgency. Some might point out our inherent laid-back nature, which would be a debatable topic. But it's not. (It depends on the circumstances.) There would be many solutions, none of which has something to do with the sea. (It can be flat as a lake, which relaxes one’s mood. It may or may not be helpful.) There's no need to indulge in a certain activity, which can turn into an addictive behavior sooner. If non one can't guess it, then it’s time to make a mental note of the next section (of this article).

Progress is Out There: How to Keep Pushing Boundaries

Embrace an active lifestyle. If you don't have time for the gym, then walking should be good enough. Fall would be the perfect time to spend lots of time outdoors, if not brisk walking (depending on how early or how late you would be.) Make sure that you have a good pair of rubber shoes, if not any shoes that could withstand the long distance. It should shake off the lethargy and sleepiness that you feel during the morning. If you can't have enough, then come up with a set of exercises, which you could do in your own room. There are other ways to keep you energetic throughout the day, but you must want it.

Stick to a routine. If you're too lazy to exercise, then becoming consistent in what you're doing would boost your confidence. Keep in mind that many teenagers are unable to adopt self discipline right away. It's not an easy feat, so they shouldn't be condemned about not doing it at first. As a matter of fact, it takes some time. You would learn to be patient with yourself, also getting over any setback (and forgetting it). It's all about doing a set of tasks repeatedly until you become good at it (or get lost at it). Persistence is the key.

No task is too big or too small. You must be realistic about your goals, which applies to the coursework and what you're doing after lecture hours. It may not be wise to finish an assignment text in a day especially if you have other modules. It's also not advisable to skip the chores and errands unless your assignment would be very urgent. You have reasons to celebrate after the completion of task(s), but make sure that you won't get broke shortly afterward. Rest may be the better option, and you might need to sleep more.

Always be positive about your situation. The pressure could be overwhelming, so you wouldn't do yourself any good if you have any doubts about beating the deadlines and pass the examinations (and a get a high mark). Keep on imagining yourself that you would get the job done. It's not easy to say (or do) it at first, but there's no other way than to try it (and keep on trying it).

Don't eat too many (or drink too many) prior to a lecture (or examination). You would know, even if you tend to forget it at times. Maybe soda won’t be bad at all. You must be hydrated before doing it, though.

How to Stop Making Excuses

If you don’t try to push yourself too hard, if not thin yourself out after several hours or so, then there won’t be any reason why you can’t finish on something. Expertise in time management doesn’t happen overnight, but you would learn fast. It’s all about wanting it. You should forget about sophomore slump after two weeks or less. If you still have doubts, then it must be high time to be obsessed about sport. Commitment to excellence is a lifelong task, which should make the coursework easy (in comparison).

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