Heads Up, Sophomores!

Your major is beginning to come into focus and while you may not have a career outlined, all majors should enable you to develop skills essential to success in a knowledge-based economy. Whether you’re a business, science, liberal arts, health, or education major you’ll develop skills for research, analysis, and communication. 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 particularly enjoy. 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 the 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, Second floor, next to Cool Beans, at the opposite end of the hallway from Chick-Fil-A. Call us at 410-543-6075.

Looking for a change of scenery? Check out our study abroad and National Student Exchange Programs! Salisbury University has a network of 14 bilateral university partners around the world where students can spend a full semester studying on exchange for the same tuition and fees as a regular semester in Salisbury. Sites include Japan, Costa Rica, France, Scotland, Ghana, Spain, India and more. Through the National Student Exchange, SU students can also spend a semester studying on exchange at one of 170 universities in the USA, Canada, and US territories. For more information on study abroad on SU’s global network or study away through the National Student Exchange and to make an appointment to talk about the opportunities visit Study Abroad and Study Away Website 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 Center for Student Involvement 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

Sophomore Class Photo Friday October 22nd @ 2:00 pm Perdue Lawn
Our sophomore class didn’t have the opportunity to take a class photo, but we can change that! Join your graduating class to get a free T-shirt and take your class photo that will hang in GSU.

Sign up for Class Photo Event

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Family weekend BINGO Saturday October 23rd @ 8:00 pm Wicomico Room
Each participant will receive one dabber and six BINGO sheets with 10 cards. Everyone will play ten rounds of BINGO with 5 chances to win each round. Additional BINGO sheets available for purchase onsite.

Seating will be limited; be sure to reserve your seats early! Must be 18 or older to play!

Sign up for Family weekend BINGO

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Yoga Relaxation Event Thursday October 28th @ 5:00 pm GSU Nanticoke Room
Come enjoy a relaxing yoga experience! Snacks and water provided. Bring a yoga mat if you have one!

Sign up for Yoga Relaxation

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Big Event Saturday November 13th @ 9:00 am The Square
Big Event is an annual volunteer effort that allows students to reach out to the community, build connections, and give back to the city of Salisbury. Students will work together to clean up local yards. Free breakfast for all participants, and a free T-shirt for the first 300 students to arrive the morning of the event! Don’t have an organization to serve with?

Join the Sophomore Squad when it asks for organization!

Sign up for the Big Event

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Resume Workshop Friday November 19th @ 3:00 pm Perdue Hall 248
Begin writing your resume now as you gain experience throughout your college career! Learn how a resume is written, formatted, and organized to help you successfully write a winning resume.

Sign up for the Resume Workshop

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Soph-serve Sundaes Thursday December 2nd @ 3:00 pm Fireside Lounge
Come out and enjoy an ice cream sundae with your fellow classmates!

Sign up for Soph-serve Sundaes

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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 in the University catalog. 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.