Sophomore Slump

Research suggests that during the sophomore year, students may experience a
period of confusion and uncertainty (Furr & Gannaway, 1982). There are
many new challenges sophomores experience when they return to college.
Unlike freshmen, sophomores receive less attention about the expectations
of college life. Combined with the push to declare a major, find an internship,
and decide whether or not to study abroad leads sophomores to fall
into the "sophomore slump."

There are three general areas that cause sophomores the most stress:

1. Academics

• Pressure to choose a major
• Taking upper-level classes with juniors and seniors who may have formed closer
  relationships with professors

2. Personal

• Uncertainty about the direction of their life
• Feelings of guilt about the time and money gone into college when
  they are uncertain about the direction of their life.
• Changing and challenging of previously held family values

3. Relationships

• Desire for intimacy increases
• Friendship ties at home decrease
• Desire to not go home on breaks

Do you want to know if you are experiencing the “Sophomore Slump”?

Do you find yourself wondering any of the following:

1. What am I doing here at MSU?
2. Why do I have more questions now than when I first got here?
3. Who are these people I hang around with that I thought were my friends?
4. Why am I majoring in this, even if I don’t like it?
5. Why am I constantly overwhelmed?
6. Why do I see only negatives in my life?
7. Why can’t I find time to relax?
8. Why am I so uncertain about my future?
9. Why am I not having as much fun as last year?

Why am I ready to cry if the smallest thing goes wrong?

1. Why do I feel like my parents are constantly pressuring me to know what I want to do with my life?
2. Does everyone have this all figured out but me?
3. Why am I so unmotivated and/or anxious?

If you answered yes to three or more of these questions, you could be suffering from the “sophomore slump”

Now what? Read the “Sophomore Jump” section for ideas

Source: http://www.gannett.cornell.edu/downloads/stress/SophomoreSlump.pdf