Year 2: An Interesting Year

You’re still an underclassman trying to navigate college but things start to become more important.

By: McKinley Burnett

One word to describe my year: Interesting.

Sophomore year is an interesting year. You’re still an underclassman trying to navigate college — but things start to become more important.

You’re not close to the end yet — but you kinda know what you’re doing. It’s interesting….

Sophomore Year

As a sophomore, everything isn’t new and shiny like freshman year. People have their friend groups, buddies have jobs, and we’ve already explored nearby. It’s still amazing but it’s different.

I don’t live on campus now which has pros and cons. I have my own room and shower, unlike in the dorm.

Although, I don’t live a building over from all my friends anymore.

I don’t have dinner at the dining hall to meet with all my buddies. I don’t have a quad to play spike ball 30 feet away from my bed!

However, I am close to downtown, and it’s a nice way to not feel in school mode all the time.

Sophomore Year High

My high this year was progressing in this NAU Social internship. I really enjoy the content I put out this year for NAU Social. I also grew so close with the team and it has been so nice to work with such creative and supportive people.

Sophomore Year Lows

My low however has been managing burnout.

Burnout is normal though and it’s hard for a lot of people to stay motivated at the end of a semester.

One of my close family friends passed away in my hometown last month. Being thousands of miles from home can be difficult in times like that. Then staying motivated during that sucks but it’s been a good experience to learn from.

Favorite Classes

Content-wise, my favorite class this year was macro and microeconomics. I actually enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would and understood and found the topics interesting.

My other favorite class was my business math class. I sat with people in that class that I ended up becoming really good friends with.

Favorite Memory

My favorite memory this year was homecoming weekend. Homecoming is such a fun time of year for social media coverage.

The weekend started with the homecoming bonfire.

It was freezing — there was actual snow during the bonfire.

Up next was the carnival which was also horrendously cold — but such a fun time.

Then, my good friends from U of A came up to visit. We celebrated the weekend then I went to work the Homecoming game.

A perk of being on the NAU Social team is getting to be on the football field. That game was so close — it was epic to be so close to the action.

Overall it was such a fun time and just a great weekend. I made life long memories!

Summer Plans

This summer I am headed back to my hometown Fairbanks, Alaska.

I will still be working with NAU Social so don’t worry you’ll still see me.

I am also working with a semi-pro baseball team in my hometown, the Alaska Goldpanners. Last summer I ran their Tik Tok and this summer I will be continuing that as well as some more marketing aspects.

On top of work, however, I will be out at my cabin, beating my parents at card games, and hopefully enjoying the midnight sun.

What’s Next?

Next year I am looking forward to going abroad. I will leave for the second semester of my junior year.

The only problem though is I still can’t decide where to go! Someone give me advice.

I am really excited to take advantage of all the study abroad experiences here at NAU.

XOXO,

McKinley