As summer nights became all-nighters, the Class of 2028 once again stepped into the MLWGS hallways this August. The transition from freshman to sophomore year is without a doubt one of the biggest challenges in high school; freshman year can be overwhelming, but many say they feel excited and supported throughout. Junior and senior years are filled with big moments and constant milestones in high school, while sophomore year often feels like the forgotten middle child.

Students are adjusting to harder classes and busier schedules, all while trying to balance school, sports, and social lives. Many sophomores describe feeling unmotivated and stuck, as they are working hard toward an end goal that still feels so far away. This feeling is notably referred to as the “sophomore slump.”

The sophomore slump typically is a result of overcommitment. Maggie Walker sophomores are heavily involved in a large variety of extracurricular activities and sports as the fall season dusts off its running shoes, volleyballs, and club sign-up sheets. Anya Jain is one of the sophomore class presidents, an officer of Operation Smile, and a member of both the Bhangra and volleyball teams. Activities have affected her sleep "really badly." As she says, "[T]his whole week I have been going to bed at one or two." Maintaining balance while also staying on top of everything is one of the biggest struggles of sophomore year.

Currently, almost all sophomores are facing the canonical event of taking their first AP class. Popular choices include AP U.S. History (APUSH), AP Psychology, AP Human Geography, or an AP Spanish course. Some are dipping a cautious toe into AP waters with an “easier” class, while others are cannonballing straight into some of the most rigorous courses, either to “get it over with” or because an older sibling swore it would be “fun.” No matter the choice, it remains a very daunting experience. Powerschool grades drop rapidly, while the number of assignments piles up faster than many were expecting this early into the year. On top of the already stressful classes, sophomores begin their Global Studies research paper and spend hours working on the endless number of chemistry labs, leaving safety-goggle shaped imprints all over their faces. Anya Jain (‘28) stated that, “[t]he quizzes and tests are starting up this week for sure. We're finally getting into the school routine.”

Outside the classroom, sophomores also face another test: the learner’s permit. While learning to drive is exciting, it also piles on extra stress, eats up precious time, and adds yet another item to an already overloaded sophomore schedule. It might be best to stay cautious of sleep-deprived 16-year-olds on the highway at 8 A.M. Eshaan Lodha (‘28) explained that, “[w]hen I get my license, I will be able to wake up a little later and drive to school myself. Having my license also allows for more flexibility since I don’t have to hustle to catch the crowded bus.” Being able to drive is the promise of independence that is finally coming to fruition. For many, driving represents freedom, but it can also feel like just one more responsibility contributing to the infamous sophomore slump.

Sophomore year is the in-between time where students are enjoying their youth, but starting to worry about college. Without the same opportunities as juniors and seniors, sophomores are working overtime to keep up with all the components of applying somewhere. It can feel like shooting in the dark, especially for those who don’t know what they want to do, or what school they want to go to. The transition from being told they’re too young to be worrying about their future to getting emails about scholarship opportunities puts an immense weight on the backs of sophomores. 

However, sophomore year isn’t all slump. One thing that helps students manage the pressure is having a study hall in their schedule. A few sophomores were asked about how their study hall impacts their workload, sleep, grades, and motivation, with Ada Rolfes (‘28) stating that her study hall makes a big difference: “I think my study hall is very beneficial for my workload especially because I don’t have any friends, so I don’t spend any time socializing and I can lock in the whole time. I also think it helps a lot with burnout and stress levels.” Della Bowman (‘28) agreed, adding, “It’s pretty good to get my work done during the school day and have less to do when I get home so I can go to bed.”

Despite its reputation, being a sophomore isn’t just about stress and overworking. For many students, it’s also a time for growth. The Class of 2028 may no longer be buzzing with the excitement of “freshman firsts,” but they are starting to gain more confidence in navigating their way through high school, whether that’s by learning how to manage their time, taking on new leadership roles, or finding activities they genuinely enjoy. Eshaan Lodha shared that, “[l]ast year, I made the decision to run for Class of 2028 Secretary. Now that I have actually gotten involved this year, I’m really glad that I decided to take on a new leadership role and step outside my comfort zone, and I feel like I’m learning a lot and contributing to my whole grade by doing so.” Although sophomore year comes with its many pressures, pushing through the sophomore slump helps set the foundation for the life-changing opportunities that are to come during the final years of high school.