UNC to help discouraged sophomores

It’s your second year of college.

You’re feeling like the novelty of college has worn off, you’re confused about your major, you don’t know how to adequately study and you’re not as involved as you’d like to be.

You’re going through the “sophomore slump.”

But in an effort to reverse a phenomenon where second-year students become disconnected with the University community, student government has created a committee to hold forums and plan programs to combat the doldrums.

“Sophomores can kind of get into a rut in terms of academics, social and extracurricular activities,” said sophomore Olivia Hammill, co-chairwoman of student government’s second start committee.

“They start to feel apathetic about school in general because the newness of school has worn off and there aren’t many programs targeted toward sophomores.”

Hammill said the committee has held forums and planned a learning community to keep sophomores engaged not only in their studies but also in extracurricular activities.

The forums, held throughout the semester, allowed sophomores to voice concerns, struggles and suggestions for improvement, she said.

At these “brown bag luncheons,” sophomores completed surveys asking them to propose solutions to the slump and discussed their concerns about joining new groups after deciding not to continue with clubs they joined freshman year.

Sophomore Wendy Tapia said it’s easy to lose excitement for clubs as a sophomore.

“I think coming in as a freshman I was really excited about it,” Tapia said. “Once you’re actually in it, it’s not as exciting as it was before and it doesn’t have the same appeal.”

The students also met with academic advisers, faculty members and student groups to discuss how they could reverse falling grades and become more involved on campus.

Hammill said forums have been helping committee members develop projects to address sophomores’ struggles, such as a new living-learning community called Sophomore Year Navigating Carolina.

The community will be committed to encouraging collaborative learning, campus leadership and exploration of majors and careers.

The second start committee also is planning to host a spring activities fair with other student government committees and campus organizations.

“If you still want to get involved and find your niche, you still can,” she said.

Cynthia Demetriou, the undergraduate education retention coordinator, said the forums and programs show UNC’s concern.

“It sends a message to sophomore students that there are people that want them to succeed,” she said.



Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.