The semester is winding down, finals are here, and summer is lurking nearby. These are normally good signs as it indicates you have made it to the end of the semester/quarter and for most you’ve made it to the end of the year.
Sophomore year is a chance to do-over and redo the things you did or wish you would have done this semester. Now is the time to look at the successes and failures of the year. Make note of the things that you did well and also look at the things that you could have done better. Freshman year is a time to experiment, soul search, and determine who you want to be and what works for you. Year two should be focused on refining the person you created in year one. If you do not like something, toss it out, change it, or replace it with want you want it to be.
Reflect on the decisions you made. Did you make the best decisions this year? Are there things that you can go back and redo or undo? Use the summer to reflect on the decisions you made and how you want to improve your decision making for next year. You may not have much power to change grades, study skills you developed, or your involvement level. However, you do have the power to mend relationships, learn new study skills, and join/take on leadership roles within student organizations. Do what you can to start sophomore year off to a great start.
Also explore opportunities you may have missed. Did you talk yourself out of running for student government, miss auditions for the next play, or decide against that art class? Use summer to reflect on missed opportunities and how you can better seize these opportunities next year.
Congratulations on making to the end of year one. You have completed something that some students were not as successful in achieving. Although you have made it this far you still have a ways to go and should explore ways to grow, learn, and define yourself. Be purposeful with your thoughts and actions. Be deliberative in the steps that you take. Be the best version of you that you can be. Enjoy your summer!