Sophomore year, a year I would consider unsurpassed.
From the first day of the dreaded school year to the final stretch after spring break, there is no moment that I can recall as “disappointing.”
Although I spent my Halloween cooped up at work in a restaurant instead of collecting bags of candy with my most beloved companions, it was soon made up for that following weekend as I spent it with my favorite people. The flash of every photo that was taken that night captured a memory I will never forget, along with drowning out the negative thoughts and regrets that I had about missing out on Halloween night.
This school year has not only brought countless memories and lifelong friendships, but I have also learned how to live life positively, even through the hardships. Although it might become difficult at times, the light always shines brighter when counting on the positive, and that is the one thing I have counted on this year to hold me through.
Studying may not be the most enjoyable hobby, but with surrounding yourself with people you love and who motivate you to be the best possible version of yourself, it easily becomes a hobby to look forward to. Endless paychecks spent on ten-dollar Starbucks drinks, and probably somewhere around two cups worth of vanilla cold foam have been consumed due to the hour-long study sessions I spent in Starbucks, and although the workers might have memorized our faces now as my friends and I study until closing hours, I hold no regrets. Every penny I put into the sweet drinks, which will soon add up, is the penny that will soon lead to my success. Freshman year, which I would not personally consider one of my best, I neglected my grades, and I simply believe it was because of the way I handled certain situations and the things I surrounded myself with.
As I quit my old job at the beginning of the school year and applied for a new job, I quickly learned how different life was when being treated with respect as an employee. I not only made new friendships, but I also learned that looking forward to work instead of considering whether or not I would be serving alone or working a position that I did not apply for was considerably better. My mood rose along with my grades, and my dedication to being the best version of myself helped me grow to be the person that I am today.
Turning sixteen, surprise birthday parties, and lifelong friendships. Those are the three moments I reflect on when I hear, “April 2025.” I couldn’t be more thankful for the friends I made this year. After going to sophomore homecoming with people who made sure to include me even though I wasn’t usually a part of their crew, instead of those who neglected me, they taught me who I should be spending my time with.
I had never had a birthday party before this year, as often, my friends simply would leave for spring break, and all I would receive was a simple, “Happy Birthday, Leah!” text from everyone. And I couldn’t be more thankful. The fact that people take time out of their day to wish me a Happy Birthday meant more than anything to me. Before this year, I had also never received a birthday gift from anyone outside of my family. However, as I took a step down each stair of my best friend’s basement staircase, I was soon greeted with an emotion I cannot recall. It wasn’t only happiness, but also gratitude. All of my favorite people were gathered together in this basement to celebrate my birthday, and I wasn’t even aware. Some who didn’t even associate with each other gathered together for me. This school year has taught me that the people I surround myself with do matter, and it takes a long time to find the right people. All of the drama and fake friendships I had gone through in middle school paid off, because I now learned exactly how and who to spend my time with.
I soon learned that a balance of friendships and having fun should be exactly evened out with dedication to yourself, meaning building the best version of yourself and learning how to manage your time. Managing time doesn’t always mean dedicating six hours to study for one class and forgetting about the friendships held, but instead, holding a balance between them. It can become easy to let one class take over everything; instead, spend time with the people you love and take time for yourself in between, but don’t let go of the progress and dedication put into the things you want to complete.
Sophomore year not only brought tons of incredible memories that I couldn’t be more thankful for, but also came along with newly formed friendships. These memories also taught me how to manage my time responsibly without becoming overwhelmed by simple things that do not need to consume my daily life.
From going to track practice each day and dreading the running routines we would perform as a team, to becoming closer with people who would soon become some of my favorite people.
I will forever look back on sophomore year as the year that I became myself, and I cannot wait to see where the next year takes me.
