How to Deal With the Heavier Class Load
During Your Sophomore Year
Your first year of college is always the most difficult. There are many adjustments, especially when dealing with a new environment, new people, and a more challenging class load.
The good news is that your second year will be more manageable in some ways. You should be more adjusted to the school and better understand how things work there.
However, it is also going to be more demanding in other ways. You will have more challenging classes to take and need to start thinking about your major and what you want to do with your life.
This is when students start dropping out because they don’t know how to deal with everything that comes their way. However, it won’t seem so overwhelming when it happens with enough preparation. Here are some tips that can help:
Don’t Panic
The first thing you should do is take a breath. There is no reason for you to panic about the workload you are about to take on. You have been there before and know how to do it. If things get too much for you, make sure you talk to someone. This can be your academic advisor or a professor about what’s going on. These professionals can help you figure out the best course of action.
Don’t Be Afraid to Seek Help
Is there a particular subject that’s giving you trouble? Are you confused about how something works or how to complete an assignment?
Don’t be afraid to ask for help from teachers, tutors, professional essay writers, friends, and parents. Anyone who can point you in the right direction. If there’s one thing we learned from last year’s first-year students, getting help early on can save you from struggling later.
Talk to Your Professors About Your Struggles
One of the most helpful things you can do is talk to your professors about what’s going on in class. Explain that you are having some trouble keeping up with the work and ask if they have any suggestions or study tips that they would recommend. Most professors are more than happy to help struggling students and will do everything they can to make sure you succeed in their course.
Visit a Tutor
Another great resource is your school’s tutoring center or writing center. Head down to the tutoring center and have one of their qualified math tutors help you with your homework or test prep. They can give you tons of helpful advice on how to study and help guide you through material that you don’t understand. Thus, it makes them an excellent resource for when your teachers aren’t available.
Clean Up Your Schedule
Don’t waste time texting friends or browsing social media on your phone during class. Use the time between classes for studying instead of visiting with friends or heading back to your dorm room when you go back to the dorm, and study.
Don’t give in to the temptation of playing video games or watching TV. You will only be wasting valuable time that you can use to get ahead on homework assignments or studying for exams.
Keep to a Routine
Make sure to stay on top of assignments by setting aside a regular time each week for schoolwork. You know the drill:
- Get your books, papers, and notebooks together.
- Grab a cup of coffee or tea.
- Sit down at the desk.
- Start studying.
A routine will keep you on track while making it easier to concentrate. Plus, keeping this routine will make it easier to transition into a work-study practice when you get an internship or job next year.
Be Realistic About What You Can Handle
During freshman year, college students may have taken classes in various subjects. Therefore, they could learn about each one and decide which topic they want to pursue as a career. Sophomore year is when they can take upper-level courses in their major and minor areas of study. However, that’s not all they should take.
Some schools require students to take general education classes outside of their majors, such as math, science, humanities, and social sciences. In addition, many colleges require students to take physical education classes. Students should make sure they can handle the increased workload before signing up for more upper-level courses than required.
Final Takeaway
In the end, it is imperative to take advantage of all the help that you can get. Use your teachers and your mentor as resources. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help when you need it. You are still going to have plenty of responsibilities outside of school. Good luck!
