That’s a wrap on sophomore year! It feels like just yesterday I was handed my schedule, ready to take on my second year in high school. Freshman year was a breeze, and I didn’t know what to expect this year. Now, as the 2024-25 school year slowly comes to a close, I realize how much has changed. This year had its ups and downs, and through it all, I’ve grown a lot as a person both inside and outside of the classroom.
For documentation purposes, this was my class schedule this year:
0. Newspaper with Mrs. Shay
1. AP European History with Mr. Buchan
2. Chemistry Honors with Ms. Luxa
3. Language Arts 2 Honors with Mrs. Shube
4. Spanish 3 Honors with Maestra Núñez / Ledesma
5. Precalculus Honors with Mr. Herrick
6. JV Soccer with Coach Q
My favorite, yet most challenging, class this year was AP Euro. I remember starting off poorly during the first semester and almost dropping out of the class. Due to the number of readings and pop quizzes, this course was by the far the most rigorous one I’ve taken. As a result, I worked harder than I ever have for a class. After getting better at paying attention to readings and reviewing exams before school, I managed to get my grade up. Taking the AP exam in May was also quite a challenge, but I felt so relieved once it was over.
Through it all, I’ve found an interest in studying history in general, which is why I will be taking APUSH next year. I also feel that AP Euro has strengthened my studying skills, such as time management and note-taking, which will help me greatly in junior year when I take more APs.
I also found myself being more involved in school life during this year. I joined several clubs, such as PTSA, Red Cross, OCRM, and NHS. I even managed to secure some board positions in these clubs. I’ve also continued to be a member of soccer and newspaper.
Compared to freshman year, my workload was definitely heavier. Between school, sports, and extracurriculars, I had more responsibilities and demands on my time. It got stressful at times, but I slowly figured out how to manage everything without burning out. Being able to handle a busy schedule is crucial both in school and work life, and I appreciate how sophomore year has taught me this skill. Similarly, Gabby Wong (10) expresses, “Sophomore year was definitely a major difference from freshman year. The classes became harder, and there was a greater workload in comparison to freshman year. However, I also learned a lot of valuable lessons this year that have helped me find a balance for academics and extracurriculars. That being said, sophomore year was both rewarding and challenging!”
Socially, sophomore year felt more comfortable. Instead of trying to meet everyone, I focused on sticking to the friends who I know. I feel that I got closer to these friends and these friendships helped me look forward to going to school every day. A special moment I remember with these friends was this year’s Winter Formal. This Harry Potter-themed dance was especially fun because it was district-wide, and I was able to see old friends from middle school. I also didn’t attend Winter Formal during my freshman year, so the novelty of everything made it much more memorable. Meanwhile, Gavin Esqueda (10) says that “I think the best part of sophomore year was the fact that I already met most of the people at our school, so I felt a lot more comfortable going in. Plus it gave a lot more opportunities to meet new people and make friends.”
As summer is approaching, I’m excited to finally relax for a couple months. Still, my summer schedule isn’t exactly free; I’ll be keeping myself busy with volunteering, going to soccer camp, and studying for the SAT. This all seems like a harbinger of junior year, and I can’t help but feel a little scared for next year. However, one of the lessons I’ve learned these past months is to live in and appreciate the present moment (junior year will be a problem for later).
Looking back, I’m proud of how far I’ve come this year. Sophomore year definitely had its challenges, but it also helped me grow in so many ways. I learned how to manage my time better, stay organized, and push through when things got tough. I also made some great memories with my friends and found new interests along the way.
