Transitioning to Sophomore Year
Transitioning through each year of college can feel like a big jump! The transition
period from your freshman year, which was defined by your college "firsts," new friends,
living in the residence halls, and getting the hang of being a college student, and
so much more all comes to a close as you get ready to transition to your sophomore
year. Keep reading for a few tips and tricks on how to be as successful as possible
your sophomore year.
Get Involved. Maybe you thought about getting involved during your freshman year but were a little
hesitant while learning the ropes of college. Your sophomore year is the perfect time
to try a campus organization out! You’re now an expert at class schedules, better
understanding courseloads, and the flow of campus and the academic year now. Your
sophomore year, you will be more than equipped to join a campus organization. The
best part about getting involved is there is something for everyone on our campus
with over 200 student organizations. Campus organizations allow you to feel a greater
connection to your campus, and can even provide amazing friends, resources, and connections
throughout Cookeville. Alternatively, maybe you are on the opposite end and get too
involved your freshman year, causing you to feel extremely overwhelmned. Your sophomore
year can be the perfect time to learn from your past, reassess your priorities, and
cut back where necessary.
Home Sweet Home. Sophomore year might mean mean moving out of the residence halls or living off-campus
somewhere new! This can sometimes feel nerve racking to have a new home, potentially
new roommates, or overall be in a new environment. If you commuted your freshman year
and are now planning to move into an apartment or house with friends, this can be
an exciting time as you learn how to live on your own for the first time! This is
the perfect time to sit down and set boundaries with your roommates to start off your
new year and new home on the right foot.
Specialized Courses & Academic Courseload. Typically, your sophomore year gets you one step closer to being in the upper-division
courses within your major. This can be an exciting time! You'll finally start to dive
deeper into the major that you love and the whole reason you came to college in the
first place. This can help you feel a deeper connection to your major by taking classes
you really enjoy, or maybe even discover the right major if you haven't found it yet.
However, taking courses that are deeper into your major, might also mean heavier courseloads
and more difficult course content. Try setting academic goals for yourself this upcoming
year and plan start using campus resources (like scheduling tutoring, reaching out
to your professors, or the making an appointment with the Center for Counseling &
Mental Health Wellness) early on to push yourself to be more proactive and succeed
in your more specialized courses!
On-Campus Jobs. Maybe you didn’t have a job your freshman year, but your sophomore year you’re interested in getting one. You have a year under your belt and feel ready to balance your academics, extracurriculars, and a job. Getting a job on campus would allow you to be able to easily transition from your day-to-day classes into your part-time job! Look into on-campus jobs for this upcoming year and see potentially where you might be interested in working. Make sure to check out the Center for Career Development's Handshake portal for on-campus job opportunities!
The transition from your freshman year to your sophomore year should be exciting! You finally know your way around campus, feel comfortable balancing your class schedule, and are ready for more. Whatever you choose to become involved in, choose what is right for you and don’t lose sight of your academics.
Source: https://www.collegeraptor.com/find-colleges/articles/questions-answers/what-is-a-sophomore/