Overcoming the Sophomore Slump: A Reflection on the Challenges of High School
Navigating the ups and downs of high school can be incredibly challenging, and the sophomore year can often feel overwhelming. Many students experience a period of adjustment, where the increased academic expectations and workload take a toll on their mental and emotional well-being.
This year has been particularly tough for me. While I found joy in participating in extracurricular activities, managing my coursework has become a daunting task. Compared to my freshman year, where I maintained grades of A-‘s and A’s, I’ve noticed a significant decline. Admittedly, some of this decline stems from the choices I made in selecting my classes—such as Honors English 10 and AP Psychology—which I genuinely appreciate but also contribute to my workload.
The sheer volume of assignments and expectations has made it difficult to stay organized and confident in my academic abilities. Over time, I’ve noticed my performance in STEM subjects declining, and it’s been a hit to my self-esteem. Interestingly, it’s not solely the advanced placement classes like AP U.S. History and AP Psych that have caused burnout; rather, the combined pressure of three honors courses has been a major factor.
Once, I considered myself a quick learner, but now I find myself feeling lazy, procrastinating, and overwhelmed. Part of this is due to wasted time on social media and mindless scrolling, but I also believe that high school’s workload can sometimes be excessive and unrealistic. All I have to show for my efforts is a weighted GPA of 4.2, which feels insufficient given the stress I’ve experienced. An unexpected illness in March disrupted my routine, throwing off my study habits, and I’ve been struggling to regain my footing since then. My commitments, including track, further complicate my schedule.
Recently, I’ve been focusing intensely on preparing for AP exams, which went relatively well, and trying to prioritize rest by sleeping earlier. Still, I face several B-‘s, numerous projects, and upcoming finals. Honestly, I feel emotionally drained, with writer’s block and a sense of disconnect from everyone around me.
Looking ahead, I’m planning a slightly lighter course load next year, including AP Government, AP Environmental Science, AP Language, College Prep (thankfully), Pre-Calculus, Art III, possibly Honors Spanish IV, and a study hall. While this schedule appears more manageable, I can’t shake the feeling that I might still be unable to handle