Someone once told me that at Uni “s years are easier” — “s” years being subbie, sophomore, and senior years.

In my experience, that advice has been true so far. My subbie year was somewhat predictably the easiest one I encountered at this school, and also allowed time to meet new people and have fun occasionally.

My freshman year had a much more frustrating workload, and the whole novelty of Uni had pretty much worn off by then.

And now, nearing the end of my sophomore year, I’ve had to say that this year has been good. It was much less eventful than the previous two years. Our school had less controversy over pelvis/pelvis contact and lock-in invite lists and diversity editorials and named cliques and class wars and blog wars and whatever it is that everybody was busy freaking out about at the time. I don’t really remember because I was still too busy being amazed that we could go OFF CAMPUS for lunch to pay much attention to anything else.

The workload this year also turned out to be much more manageable than my freshman year, but maybe that’s because I’m less lazy (doubtful …).

Also, I feel as though sophomore year was more enjoyable after taking some interest in my classes. It turns out that I like chemistry, even though I don’t really consider myself a “math/science person.” And modern history seems to have more of an obvious relevance to my life than ancient cultures ever did. No offense or anything, but Phoenicians making purple dye? I don’t even wear purple! Sumerians? What?

Of course, I’m sure that looking back if I had been smarter I would have paid more attention to my classes in earlier years and found them much more enjoyable as well, but too late for that.

Next year I’ll be facing the notoriously difficult junior year. While the fact that I’m not taking calculus should mean that next year won’t be unbearably hard, I’m still not entirely looking forward to the experience.

Now I suppose that the “s year” rule might not turn out to be true for me, but I doubt it. Since the “every other year” rule of thumb regarding which classes are stereotypical Uni kids has so far proved itself startlingly true, I’m starting to trust these things.

So for all of you rising seniors and sophomores, I envy you. For all of you rising subbies, I’m preparing my best tough-girl upperclassman staredown. And to all of the rising juniors/freshmen, it’s only for one year. Let’s just grin and bear it.