By Sean Leviashvilli
As classes get harder and expectations get higher, some sophomores at Northeastern may feel a loss of support and community in certain areas of college life.
Northeastern offers freshmen an array of options to help them acclimate to college life, with floor meetings and activities conducted by Residential Life (ResLife). However, previous studies have suggested that college sophomores sometimes feel ignored or disregarded by the university as a whole, said Devon McClurken, a residential director and chairperson for Sophomore Year Experience, a program developed through ResLife this year. While McClurken said the”sophomore slump” doesn’t seem as common at Northeastern as it may be at other universities. Some sophomores may feel overwhelmed for a variety of reasons. Expectations to feel adjusted and comfortable at the school may discourage them from seeking help, she said.
In response, Northeastern has added new programs like Inside Track and Sophomore Year Experience, specifically targeting sophomores.
“There has been a lot of research showing that sophomores aren’t getting that same support that they received their freshmen year,” McClurken said.”There’s an expectation that sophomores should know how to [support themselves.] There are a lot of people and sources they can seek to get that same help.”
As students enter their second year, they face some transitions, McClurken said. Sophomores face challenges as classes get harder, co-op approaches and, for many, they find out more accurately how to live on their own.
Living in apartment-style residence halls forces sophomores to learn to take on chores that did not exist during their first year. Cooking, cleaning and maintaining order can be a challenge for many, McClurken said.
“When sophomores move into apartment-style housing, they have to deal with a lot more,” McClurken said.”Roommate conflicts may arise because students have to keep their places clean. They may have to learn to cook. It’s either going to the dining hall or eating microwave food for many of them.”
Some sophomores note a sense of isolation living in the upperclassmen residence halls, saying that most of the other students in their buildings keep to themselves.
“The most sudden change I’ve noticed deals with the living situation,” said Matt Devine, a sophomore biology major.”Last year, being in the freshman residence halls, I felt a sense of community. Now, living in an apartment style dorm, I don’t feel that as much. It’s definitely a big difference.”
Tara Purasson, a sophomore music industry major, said the lack of community in the upperclassmen residence halls is a universal issue facing sophomores, but does not think the issue holds any threatening prevalence at Northeastern. “I was living in White Hall last year, now I’m in Burstein,” Purasson said.”It’s better now but I definitely don’t know a lot of people in my building.”
While Sophomore Year Experience (SYE) focuses largely on the social aspects of college, Inside Track, a professional coaching program, helps sophomores adjust to the increasing work load they face. “We [at Inside Track] work exclusively with second semester sophomores,” said Ian Peck, campus director of Inside Track at Northeastern.”When Northeastern was looking at Inside Track, they decided to target this group because they realize that sophomores may not be completely adjusted and good-to-go.”
Peck, along with other coaches, conduct weekly check-ins with sophomores where goals are set and plans are made.
Second semester sophomores must overcome obstacles, especially in the realm of academics, and the added pressures of co-op can make the situations they deal with more challenging, Peck said.
“Northeastern is very specific with [second semester sophomores,]” Peck said.”They realize how crucial this time is, especially with so many of those students getting ready for co-op.”
But when push comes to shove, some students, McClurken said, find these pressures and challenges exhilarating, rather than debilitating.
“It’s hard for Northeastern students to go through that [sophomore slump,]” McClurken said.”Co-op rejuvenates the students. It’s a good break from their regular classes.”
