Starting off with a Bang!

When bands come out with a second album, they often have to watch out for the “sophomore slump.” Fortunately, that same logic doesn’t apply for my college experience! My freshman year was so much fun that I thought it would be impossible to top, but, as usual, I was wrong. I’m more than halfway through the fall semester of my sophomore year, and I’ve never been happier.
I have felt more joy in the past few months than I have in my other nineteen years of existence. Yes, there are classes to go to and homework to do. Yes, Michigan football isn’t looking so fantastic. And yes, I know that the arctic-like Michigan winter is fast approaching. But I am feeling so great this year, I don’t think those little things can shake me.
So why all the smiles? One of the reasons is that sophomore year has given me more opportunities to take classes that I love. I just declared a Psychology concentration with a minor in Urban and Community Studies, which will hopefully prepare me for the School of Social Work in a few years. Instead of just fulfilling LS&A requirements, now I can take classes that I find truly fascinating, like Developmental Psych, Social Psych, and Intergroup Dialogues. Trust me – it’s a lot easier to roll out of bed and trudge to class when it’s a subject you love!
Also, I’m a Dance Marathon dancer captain this year! Last year I was a dancer, and it was one of my best college experiences. This year, I decided to take the next step, so now my awesome co-captain Rachel and I are leading a team of dancers. I can’t wait to raise money for our family and get to know them better. A few Sundays ago, UMDM had a Pumpkin Carving event and we got to meet our family, and our kid, Christopher. They are so much fun, and we’re planning on going to one of his indoor soccer games, which will be great.
Those things have been fantastic, but the greatest influence on my life this year, by far, has been New Life Church. I just moved to South Quad from Couzens Hall this year, and was feeling a little lonely and isolated from people I had met last year, so this has just been such a blessing. I’ve met so many fabulous people, and I have never felt more loved in my whole life. Even when the world is crazy around me (final exams, drama among friends, etc.), I have found somewhere and something that can give me peace always. It has been so refreshing, and nothing has ever brought me so much joy!
So basically, my sophomore year is awesome so far! I’m just hoping that it stays this great, but I have a feeling that (for the most part!) it will.