How I Managed Sophomore Year

Field Notes is a collection of articles curated by students and teachers from around the world detailing their academic experiences.

One AP class, five advanced classes, one very nervous autistic Sophomore -- also known as how I survived my Sophomore year.

Whether or not you or someone you know has this disorder, as students, we can all suffer from knowing that we share the same experience of possibly pushing ourselves too hard in the name of academic achievement. When you place into the top classes in your Freshman year and pass with flying colors, it seems to be that the pressure is on to get into the best college possible.

However, even if you feel as though you are at the bottom of the totem pole compared to everyone else, the most we all can really do is to try our best.

Sometimes unrealistic expectations fall upon us, such as my mom suddenly announcing right as exams are coming up, "I expect you to be valedictorian your senior year."

How can you do better than your best?

To everyone that's a little different, but even knowing you tried can be rewarding in the long run. However, at the beginning of my Sophomore year... I didn't exactly admit to myself that this could possibly be true. Instead, I pushed myself in my first AP course, United States History, until I had emotionally drained myself only to receive a 92 as my final grade for the first semester (devastating to someone who usually finds high A's on their report card).

Thanks to my grandma, I found this tidbit of wisdom on trying your best and applied her advice to my second semester. I tried to involve myself in more activities to unwind after school and even did some meditation to calm my core being. During these nine weeks, I even reduced the amount of time I spent on homework each night, giving myself one hour before bed to relax. I pushed myself to find time to hang out with friends and even started to see a therapist to reduce the issues of my anxiety telling me I had to be perfect at everything.

Before I knew it, the school year was over. Despite my exams not turning out the exact way I hoped they would, at least I knew I tried my best.

⚡ Want to hear more stories from stellar sophomores? Read: 

• In a Nutshell
• Turning My Life Right-side Up
• Getting Through