1. Be available as a support system and motivator. The sophomore year can be overwhelming, a time of uncertainty, and students may experience a “sophomore slump.” This sense of fatigue can result from a student’s efforts to excel as a college student, gain the autonomy and independence they seek, develop their new identities as adults and college students, all while trying to find their purpose in life. Encourage your student to identify and pursue some goal-centered activities that may help identify some of their interests. Your advice and guidance, as well as your role as a mentor, will help anchor your student and propel them to have a successful year.
2. Help navigate living arrangements. If your student is moving off-campus this year, Penn State’s Office of Off-Campus Student Support and Student Legal Services are vital sources for information on local property owners, property managers, rental agencies, and parking leases. Student Legal Services offers free legal support and advice should your student have concerns about landlord or lease issues. Your guidance in this process can ensure that your student is living in a safe, healthy environment while learning how to navigate the complexities of living off campus for the first time.
3. Recommend that your student start thinking about their future. Your student should take advantage of speaking with academic advisers and making important connections with faculty members who may be able to help as your student decides on a field of study. Additionally, if your student has not already established a connection to Penn State Career Services, encourage them to do so. Career Services can help your student find an internship or job that will provide them with relevant experience. They also have a website just for you.
4. Support your student decisions about their area of study. Most sophomores will be going through the entrance-to-major process this year. This can be a stressful time as they are working to meet certain requirements. This is especially true for majors with Administrative Enrollment Controls. Resources to assist your student include their academic adviser, Penn State Learning (free, on-campus tutoring), and the Undergraduate Bulletin.
5. Encourage your student to get involved. While the first year on campus may have been spent figuring out how to get around campus, locate their classes, and developing new friendships, your student is now a pro. Advise them to volunteer for service projects, get involved in one of over 1,000 recognized student organizations, or join an intramural sports team. Students who get involved outside of class report being more satisfied with their college experience.
6. Relax. You made it through your student’s first college year. You are now an experienced college family. Take some time for yourself. Consider a visit to campus. Come to Parents and Families Weekend. Enjoy the sights and sounds that State College, Centre County, and Central Pennsylvania have to offer. The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau is a great resource to assist you in your exploration of this beautiful area.
