Welcome to Your Sophomore Year!
Congratulations! You've just completed your first year of college! For many of you, the sophomore year will be a time to reflect on all you accomplished last year: you no longer get lost looking for your classes; you've figured out the best times to head to the dining hall for lunch; and you've practically memorized the Milford shuttle schedule. You also learned that there were plenty of student leaders, faculty and staff who were here to help you as you transitioned to college. Well guess what? They're still here and they can assist you this year in avoiding the "Sophomore Slump"!
Students experiencing the "Sophomore Slump" may begin to experience any of the following symptoms:
- lack of motivation;
- sadness about the end of the "honeymoon period" of the freshman year, when every day presented a new and interesting experience;
- uncertainty about being at college;
- indecision about their major and/or career choice;
- a feeling of being lost or invisible; and
- general confusion about the future.
If you are experiencing any of the above signs, don't hesitate to seek out assistance from your RA, RD, or from a trusted professor, counselor or other professional staff member.
The Sophomore Experience: Month-by-Month
August
- It's time to get settled into your residence hall room and reconnect with the friends you made last year.
- If you didn't get involved with a student organization last year, make sure to check out the club fair...it's not just for first-year students! (For details, go to the Student Activities events calendar.)
September
- So that you get off to a good start academically, attend any of the fall semester workshops offered by the Office of Academic Services. If appropriate, they should also consider getting assistance from the Center for Learning Resource FREE Peer Tutoring program. The CLR also provides writing skills assistance to help students with good grades who want to do even better as well as those who are struggling and want to improve. (The current semester's schedules can be found here.)
- Consider inviting your family to this year's Family Day on October 1st! There's limited availability for some of the events, so make sure they register today!
- Most college students are expected to understand the fundamentals of personal financial management. Developing budgeting skills, understanding the role of credit management, renting vs. buying a home, long-term financial planning and meeting the expenses of daily living are all key areas that students must be ready to address. Consider attending some or all of the College of Business' Professional Enrichment Program seminars.
October
- If you're interested in studying abroad, visit the Career Development Center in the Bartels Student Activities Center (aka BSAC).
- Career Development is offering a multitude of workshops on topics such as resume writing, the art of interviewing and the pros and cons of technology. Seating is limited so sign up today so you don't miss out!
November
- If you're thinking about applying for a summer internship, visit Career Services before the end of the fall semester. Go to the ChargerLink Career Management System for more information!
- The Office of Intercultural Relations, located on the top floor of the Bartels Student Center, also maintains a listing of internships that may be of special interest to students from certain identity groups (i.e., female students; students of color; gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender students).
December
- Want to change your major? Schedule an appointment to meet with your academic advisor.
- The Career Development Center website provides links which may help you think about how your interests and skills translate into possible majors and careers.
- Register for an Academic Service Learning course that connect to your field of study with real life issues in the local community.
January
- Before spring semester classes get underway, take some time to meet up with friends you didn't see during Winter Break! Get caught up with each other while having a meal at one of UNH's many dining locations.
- Research more information about your potential career field via the Career Development Center website, or meet with a Career Advisor to find resources.
- Get involved in co-curricular activities to develop leadership and collaborative skills.
February
- Be on the look-out for upcoming deadlines related to on-campus housing, study abroad and summer internships.
- Do you think the RA's and OL's have the coolest jobs on campus? Do you want to have a major impact on the lives of your fellow students? Think about applying for a Resident Assistant or Orientation Leader position! Seek out information about these leadership opportunities from the Office of Residential Life (located in Bixler Hall) and the Office of Student Activities (located on the top floor of the Bartels Student Center), respectively.
- Conduct job shadowing experiences and/or informational interviews with professionals who are working in careers that you are considering. Visit the CDC for opportunities and contacts.
March
- Spring Break! You've worked hard all semester and now it's time to take a little break. Just make sure that when you return, you work towards finishing out the semester with a bang! Just think...in a few short months, you'll be done with your second year of college!
- Work with a Career Advisor in the CDC to build a Personalized Career Action Plan -- steps to take to achieve your goals.
April
- If you're planning to live off-campus next year, you should start deciding where you want to live and with whom. Sometimes students may need to sign their lease before leaving the area for the summer, so they should start thinking about how they and their new room-/housemates will budget for this. A sampling of off-campus listings can be found on the Center for Graduate and Adult Services website. You can also get recommendations from current commuters.
May
- Are you looking for a summer job? Visit the Career Development Center for assistance with fine-tuning your resume and gaining interviewing tips.
