Just when you think you’ve got it all figured out, your sophomore year of college can be one of heightened uncertainty and lower motivation, as many students start to second guess choices and paths that were chosen during their first year. In fact, this time frame has a name – The Sophomore Slump.

Fear not, this is a very normal experience for a lot of students!

If you currently find yourself in the midst of the slump, we’ve laid out some ideas for how to cure any “symptoms” you might be experiencing. 

COUNTERING THE SLUMP SYMPTOMS 

Social Symptoms may include no longer feeling that “click” with some friends made in freshman year or feeling like you don’t quite belong in a certain friend group. 

Solutions:  It’s okay to gradually move away from the friends you no longer feel close to and create situations in which you will naturally meet new people. Start trying to form connections with other students in your classes, in your residence hall, or even in a student org you’ve recently joined. 

Academic Symptoms may include lack of motivation to attend class and study, sometimes accompanied by second guessing the major you are pursuing. 

Solutions:  Find some ways to bring novelty and excitement to your academic life.  Change study groups, start using electronic flashcards and study tools (See Study Stack, for example), make a point of speaking in class, etc. And start planning now to take something really intriguing or outside your comfort zone during Winter session. (Winter 2020 registration in now live and you do not need registration clearance!) With respect to the major, talk to your academic advisor, visit the Career Center to take an interest inventory, and network with students in majors that appeal to you.  

Life Direction Symptoms may include guilt about the cost of college given your indecision about the future, or general boredom alternating with feeling overwhelmed and anxious.  

Solutions:  Plan some very positive next steps!  Plan to study abroad. Plan an internship in a field related to your current major or a potential major.  And sign up for new recreational and extracurricular activities like intramural sports, taking up a musical instrument, or joining new clubs or campus organizations.  

GENERALLY SPEAKING 

Sophomore slump tendencies are a reflection of your “middle child” status on campus—no longer new and not yet in the big leagues of academic work. You are no longer eligible for the extra attention given to freshmen, but you are starting to take some challenging upper level courses along with juniors and perhaps even seniors.  

The solution to the malaise of sophomore-hood is almost always action. This would be action to make changes in social habit patterns, action to try new courses, join new organizations, and plan new enriching activities. Sometimes the action you need to take is to collect additional information – about majors and careers, about internships and study abroad programs. Less stewing and more motion will help you beat the slump and stay on course toward graduation and all around success.  

Welcome to RetrieverNation!  As a transfer student, you bring tremendous collegiate experience with you, and we know this experience will serve you well as you continue your studies at UMBC.  We hope that you will extend beyond your classroom experience and explore all that UMBC has to offer. Below, we have highlighted just a few resources to assist you in your transition and help you make the most of your honors university experience.

Off-Campus Student Services (OCSS) 

OCSS coordinates the Transfer Student Network (TSN).  TSN hosts events throughout the semester and is a great place to connect with other transfer students.  The OCSS staff are great resources for helping you get involved in leadership roles across campus! 

Academic Engagement and Transition Programs 

AETP is a great office to connect with if you want to ensure that you are on an Academic Pathway that works for you, or are trying to figure out a plan to make the most of your UMBC experience. AETP staff members enjoy hearing transfer students’ individual stories and learning about their goals and priorities. If you are a first-year transfer student, you may want to consider taking a Transfer Student Seminar (TRS) designed to assist in your transition to the UMBC Community.  

Academic Success Center

Through a coordinated approach and an unwavering commitment to student success, the Academic Success Center fosters a welcoming environment that provides a one-stop opportunity through Academic Policy, Academic Resources, and Academic Advocacy for students to achieve their academic goals and claim their future with a UMBC degree.

Undergraduate Research/Prestigious Scholarships 

If you would like to get involved with undergraduate research or want to learn more about prestigious scholarships such as the Rhodes, Truman, and Marshall scholarships, stop by the Office of Undergraduate Research. Workshops are available to all students who need getting started with their research.  

Career Center 

The Career Center is the place to go if you would like to connect with internship opportunities (many of which connect to our 70,000-strong global alumni community). The Career Center can assist you in putting together or refining your resume to start your internship search. They can also help you find an on-campus job, a summer position, or a permanent job after graduation.  

Shriver Center 

The Shriver Center can connect you with Service Learning experiences throughout the Baltimore area. Volunteering is an important way to give back but also can be a great achievement to highlight on a resume. 

THREE HELPFUL TIPS 

1. Start connecting with UMBC faculty, staff, and fellow students.  Create your UMBC network.  

2. Think about how you can build on the activities and experiences you participated in at your previous institution. 

3. Be open to fellow students who want to connect and network with you to learn about your experiences. 

BONUS INFORMATION 

If you have completed 15 or more credits at a community college and have not completed your Associate’s degree, we encourage you to explore our Credit When It’s Due initiative to learn more about the reverse awarding of the Associate’s degree:  

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR TRANSFER STUDENTS AT UMBC 

OFFICE FOR ACADEMIC & PRE-PROFESSIONAL ADVISING  

OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR  

TRANSFER STUDENT RESOURCE PAGE 

POLICY ON THE AWARDING OF UNDERGRADUATE TRANSFER CREDIT 

Written by OAPA Peer Advisor, Jenika Brown

Stressed over your grade, or that oh-so important GPA? You know who’s great at alleviating that stress…your professors. It’s easy to forget that the person teaching in front of the class has been through some variation of what you’re going through right now as a college student. Your professors make the best study partners and are some of the best relationships you could leave college with. Get to know your professor and allow them to get to know you. All you have to do is connect. Want to know how? Keep reading!

How to Connect:

Set-up a Meeting

• Utilize your Professor’s office hours! The sole purpose of these hours are to help you outside of class. Whether it be an assignment you’re confused about or a simple check-in on your progress in the class, you’d be surprised at the kind of insight you can gain from a one-on-one session.

• Our busy schedules as students don’t always allow for an in-person meeting…that’s why we have technology! Corresponding through email, is better than no correspondence at all. Anything you would ask in an in-person meeting can be translated to email.

College is a time for self-discovery and personal growth. Part of that self-discovery comes from deciding what you see yourself doing in the future, which isn’t always easy. You may think “But that’s so far away," “I’m too young to be thinking about that”- although that may be true, having an idea of what you see yourself doing in the future will help you be as academically successful as you can be here at UMBC. 

Consider these “Do’s” and “Don’ts” for choosing a major:

“DO’s” for Choosing a Major:

Get to know all the majors available at UMBC.

Some major fields may be completely unfamiliar because they were not taught in high school. Interdisciplinary Studies (the “build your own major” major), Health Administration and Policy, Geography and Environmental Systems, and Business Technology Administration are interesting major’s students may not have been aware of prior to arriving at UMBC. There’s no harm looking through the list- you never know what you might find!

Educate yourself on potential majors.

It’s a good idea to talk to a friend or advisor about the major you’re interested in, so that you can get a better understanding of the potential courses and path you may want to pursue in your selected major. Doing research on your own is highly recommended, as well.

List 5-8 possibilities based on your interests and aptitudes.

Take courses that are steered towards potential majors you have chosen. Read the entire catalog sections, all the course descriptions, faculty bios, and any other information about these majors available on the Department websites.

“DON’Ts” for Choosing a Major:

Don’t let anyone else choose your major for you.

Your parents, friends, and siblings all have ideas about what you should major in, but it is very important to make your own individual choice. You are the student and you are making the decision that could affect the rest of your life.

Don’t assume that a college major will necessarily lead directly to a specific type of job.

The skills acquired from college are of a general nature that can be applied to many different professional settings. The workforce is full of people whose undergraduate majors bear only an indirect relationship to the positions they hold.

Don’t stick with a major when it is clear that you are performing poorly in the required courses.

If you notice your grades are low in your major, this is an indication that it is not appropriate for you. Consider other options in which you can be more successful!

**SHAMELESS PLUG ALERT**

To further your exploration of UMBC academic pathways, please check out our upcoming Major Event!

Helpful Links

Advising Contact List

“What can I do with my major?” via the Career Center

List of UMBC majors, minors, and certificates

UMBC Academic Pathways (sample four-year academic pathways for each major)

Spring 2020 registration is just around the corner, and the process starts with connecting with your academic advisor.  

Your advisor is a vital member of your support team at UMBC. Often your advisor is a professor in your major department, but could also be a professional (full-time) advisor.  If you have any doubt at all about WHO your advisor is, below is a link to the department contacts for all majors. The person listed as “advising coordinator” or “advising contact” can help you find out who your advisor is, or assign you an advisor. 

·         Departmental Advising - Main Campus 

·         Departmental Advising - Shady Grove 

When should I meet with my advisor?  

We encourage you to schedule an appointment with your advisor as early as possible. In order to register for Spring 2020 classes, your advisor must first provide you with registration clearance (permission). This happens during your appointment when you discuss your semester progress and develop a plan for the next semester.  

**Want to connect with someone in your department sooner? Join us for a Majors Fair on October 3^rd as part of our office’s 2^nd Annual Major Event**

What should I do to prepare?  

Review your degree audit and, if applicable, transfer credit report in advance and go with a list of topics/questions to cover.  

If you need help planning your coursework, our Academic Pathways provide a suggested four-year pathway for completing your degree program. 

The Schedule of Classes will be available on Monday, October 21nd. Please review the courses that are offered and be prepared to bring a list of courses that you are interested in when you meet with you advisor.  

Be ready to discuss any outstanding items or questions you might have from previous advising meetings. We also recommend that you take notes; never go to an advising session without the capacity to take notes, whether with pen and paper or on laptop.  

When can I register?  

Spring 2020 registration begins Monday, October 28th. Your exact registration date depends on the total amount of credits earned. Please note that the dates reflect the earliest time you are eligible to register for courses. You can still register for courses after your designated date and time. Information regarding your exact registration time will be available in early October.  

Have questions?   

Check out information on several personalized degree planning tools offered at UMBC

Share your concerns in the comments section below or contact the Office of Academic & Pre-Professional Advising at oapa@umbc.edu.  

If you have a quick question, send us a DM on Instragram @umbc_advising!