Sophomore Culture Shocks

As a freshly minted sophomore (who still sometimes says freshman accidentally), this new school year has been quite different. Whether you’ve been upgraded to a great suite on the river or exiled to Cronck, starting your second year at the college has its quirks. Life outside the yard is quite a different experience! If you’re an upperclassman reading this, hopefully, you can relate to and lament the loss of the most iconic freshman moments. If you happen to be a member of the class of 2028, perhaps take this list as an opportunity to remind yourself what you should be grateful for before you too are shipped off into house life.

Cabot Science Library (is no more)

Oh, Cabot Science Library, you were there for me at my worst. When the Sunday Scaries kicked in, I could always count on finding pset answers friends under the stunning fluorescent lights. How I miss the MQC → Cabot → Brain Break pipeline. Although I will never feel nostalgic about the *INSANE NOISE LEVELS* on the 2nd floor, I am sad that my Remy sightings will dramatically decrease.

FlyBy (the meal service)

The takeout rush in Berg between classes was the one thing getting me through not having a lunch break last year. Unfortunately, I have now been relegated to eating a soggy FlyBy sandwich instead of the ~scrumptious~ grape pizza. I’m left staring, full of jealousy, at the white takeout container of the freshman beside me in Math 21A.

Being the old one in the class

Speaking of the freshmen in Math 21A, I am NOT used to being the oldest student in the class. The talk of pre-orientations, convocation, and comping consulting clubs is not for the faint of heart. Despite still being in the younger half of students at the college, I feel like a dinosaur compared to the freshmen wearing the “ONE CRIMSON” sweaters.

Having to *actually* pick your concentration

As someone who chose to go to a ~liberal arts college~ to push off decisions, having to actually declare a concentration is a day I never thought I would see. But the “you have so much time” days are over, now is THE time to choose. Although knowing me this declaration will be far from permanent (catch me changing my mind AGAIN), the lack of freedom is really being felt.

Not knowing everyone’s classes

Gone are the days of hearing about “Econ 10A, Math 1A, LS 1A, and Freshman Seminars.” Now everyone is in such an array of courses, and I feel like I learn about a new one each day! This is kind of cool because I don’t have the same conversation over and over again but also leaves me with a sense of dread that I will never be able to explore all these different classes!

Being (somewhat) on time

This is fairly self-explanatory but despite living outside the yard, I still somehow assume nothing is more than a five-minute walk. Lateness ensues.

All in all, being a sophomore is weird. It feels like just yesterday I was sweating through my own convocation, and now the class of 2029 (that year feels fake) is working on their college apps!! At least I don’t have to deal with the struggle of freshman housing anymore, but I do sometimes still miss life in the yard.