About the Sophomore Slump

What Is the Sophomore Slump?

Sophomores may experience what is commonly referred to as the “sophomore slump.” The newness and excitement of college has worn away and what lies ahead are at least three more years of hard work, papers, exams, and a large financial investment to obtain a college degree.

Lemons and Richmond (1987) define the sophomore slump as a “period of developmental confusion” and hypothesize that the “sophomore slump results from student’s struggles with achieving competence, desiring autonomy, establishing identity, and developing purpose.”

Am I Experiencing the Sophomore Slump?

The sophomore slump is a time of uncertainty as well as a time for growth. How will you know if you are experiencing symptoms of the sophomore slump? Answer the following questions to find out.

Do you find yourself wondering:

• What am I doing here at Becker College?
• Why do I have more questions now than when I was a freshman?
• Are the people I hang around with really my friends?
• Why am I majoring in this, if I don’t even like it?
• Why do I feel constantly overwhelmed?
• Why am I so confused about my future?
• Why am I not having as much fun as last year?
• Why do I feel like my parents are always pressuring me to know what I want to do with my life?
• Does everyone else have life all figured out?
• Why do I feel so unmotivated?

If you answer yes to three or more of these questions, you could be experiencing the sophomore slump.

How Do I Overcome the Sophomore Slump?

If you think you might be experiencing the sophomore slump, there are many things you can do to cope.

Take care of your physical well-being.  Eat regularly, exercise, and get enough sleep.

Meet with your academic advisor. Explore classes that look fascinating. Take a class for fun or self-expression. Make a personal connection with a faculty member. Look into and utilize available academic support resources.

Become involved in extracurricular activities. Visit the Student Activities Office for information on student organizations. Join an intramural team or a club. Participate in fun and free events sponsored by SGA. Become involved in your department or major organizations. Volunteer and give of your time and energy to help others.

Visit counseling services. Accept that the sophomore slump is normal. Identify those things that may be causing you stress, such as a demanding schedule or overcommitted calendar, and strive to make changes.  Learn about yourself and how to assert your growing identity.

Visit the Office of Career Services. Explore internships. Start your job search now by looking at career options as well as summer job opportunities that will help you to put your classroom learning to real-world training. Build experiences that will enhance your resume.