Heads Up, Sophomores!

Your major is coming into focus, and while all majors should enable you to develop skills essential to success in a knowledge-based economy, such as research, analysis and communications, your choice of a major is obviously important, especially if your orientation is toward a pre-professional program. As important as your choice of a major is, doing your best is also needed to be successful. Get to know your academic advisor and faculty members whose classes you are particularly enjoying. Having one or more mentors is an opportunity difficult to replicate in other learning environments, and these experts and successful professionals will be able to serve as references for you. Connect with members of the academic departments at their annual gatherings at the start of fall semester.

As a sophomore, your course choices are probably still focused on completing General Education requirements, but you are probably eager as well to get on with your major and minor. General Education gives you the opportunity to explore your interests, or perhaps even change your mind about your major or select a minor. Those courses will enable you to develop a range of interests that you can enjoy throughout your adult life, help you make informed choices as a citizen and identify future professional goals.

Sophomores, did you know that top experts agree liberal arts degrees are rapidly becoming the most valuable to the job market? Do you find yourself confused or overwhelmed when you think about what you will do after graduation? Don’t stress – Career Services can help.

It is never too early to talk to Career Services. In fact, the most successful graduates are the ones who start exploring and planning for “life after Salisbury” in their first and second year of college. We have workshops and assessments that help you understand your strengths and connect them to meaningful, productive careers. To learn more, stop by and pick up your free planning guide. We are located in the Guerrieri Student Union Suite 133, next to Cool Beans, at the opposite end of the hallway from Chick-Fil-A. Call us at 410-543-6075.

While you may feel impatient about entering a professional program, you might take advantage of your sophomore year to spend a semester abroad, where you can complete General Education requirements while experiencing an entirely different culture. We have a variety of very affordable programs that also serve as a terrific springboard to your major. The insights and experiences you bring back from study abroad can enrich every subsequent course you take, and employers are sure to be interested in applicants with special skills such as foreign language competence. Visit the Center for International Education to learn more.

Whether or not you spend time abroad, you will have two years after your sophomore year to develop strong and lasting ties to your Alma Mater and with the friends you make at Salisbury. If you see a strict division between academic life and social life, think again: So much happens on campus outside of the classroom that can be enriching in a wide variety of ways. Student organizations, cultural activities, volunteerism and athletics are all ways to connect to the community on campus and beyond. As an adult, you will want to give back to your community in ways that are both meaningful and appropriate to you.

Visit the Office of Student Activities, Organizations and Leadership for information about how to get more involved on campus and in the community. You can also learn about volunteer opportunities to add a variety of experiences to your resume.

Save the dates! Mark your calendars now for some great events to kickstart your sophomore year at SU

• 3rd Friday, Starts Every Friday, January 18th 2019
• General Job/Internship Fair, Friday, March 8th 2019
• SYE Midway Carnival, Wednesday, April 24th 2019

Take a trip with us to Sunfest in Ocean City! All sophomores who attend will receive our 2018 SYE Sunfest beach towel to remember your trip. Sunfest takes place in the Inlet parking lot by the Ocean City Boardwalk from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Sunfest is filled with various arts and crafts, shopping, live music and delicious food. Other Ocean City activities include the beach, boardwalk, kite festival and Life Saving Station Museum. Tickets will be available at the Guerrieri Student Union Information Desk for $5 for students and $10 for faculty and staff. Keep an eye out for more details about the upcoming trip!

Don’t miss the annual SYE Midway Carnival from 3 to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 24, at Sea Gull Square Lawn, rain or shine. The SYE midway Carnival represents an opportunity for sophomores to celebrate the midway mark to graduation – at that point, you’re halfway there! The event includes music, lots of carnival games and prizes, a photo booth and free food and drinks, cotton candy and popcorn. The carnival is open to all students. Free T-shirts are given to the first 500 students and volunteers.

Make sure you get this year’s student-designed SYE T-shirt organized by the Art Department. If you’re an art major, you might get a chance to design the next shirt. Check your email for distribution dates and locations. T-shirts will be distributed throughout the semester during athletic events, homecoming week, 3^rd Friday and more.

While studies show that sophomores generally feel confident and connected, stuff happens. Roommates and relationships can get old, or you may run into some academic challenges. Being away from home may also bring on some major questions about who you are. You will seek out the people you like and who will support you, but SU also offers a range of services to help when the going gets tough. Visit Counseling Services for a list of common concerns that they can address.

Q: How do I know if I am a sophomore or not?

A: Although there are certainly important definitions involving the number of credit hours you have completed, for the SYE program, you can think about it much more broadly. In general, as long as you have a year of college experience already and expect you will be in school for at least another couple of years, the SYE events and information will likely be relevant to you.

Q: Is it too late for me to change my major?

A: Since some of the details about any major can be fairly specific, you should always discuss this issue with your academic advisor (and a sophomore advocate if the department has one). This is a great question for you to ask your academic advisor, either during program planning or when scheduling an appointment during the semester, or to ask a current instructor in the potential new major during their office hours. For many students and situations, though, it is possible to switch your major during your sophomore year without delaying your graduation. Since so many of the General Education requirements required for graduation can apply to any major, it is always worth your time to ask questions like this.

It is always a good idea to review and print out a copy of the academic requirements of your contemplated major. Additionally, use your GullNet to run a “What-If Scenario.” This report will show you the type and number of classes you will have left to take under a new major.

 Q: Can I study abroad in my sophomore year?

A: Yes! While you can study abroad throughout your college career, your sophomore year is an ideal time to go abroad or plan to travel abroad, as you have more flexibility in what classes you still need to take. Your experiences abroad will also bring a great perspective to your remaining studies, the rest of your time in college and life in general.

Q: Do I need a minor? Should I have a minor?

A: Many students decide to declare a minor. It is a nice way to expand your career options and pursue something of interest in more detail. Most minors take about 18-22 credit hours to complete, and usually one General Education class can count toward a minor. This is a great question for you to ask your academic advisor, either during program planning or when scheduling an appointment during the semester.

For details about minors, look through the various program checklists. Should you wish to declare a minor, you can do it online by accessing the major and minor change forms through the Registrars Office.

Visit our Facebook page or take a look at our Instagram account for more information and to see pictures from past events.