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Sophomore Year Month-by-Month Roadmap

Student holing up sticky note to place on accomplishment board sharing she made all A's that year.

There are so many things going on at Tulane that make your sophomore year is unique. Stay organized and up to date with this roundup of reminders, resources and insider tips, custom-made for our second-year students.

June-July

Use your down time this summer to start prepping for sophomore year.

School Preparation During Summer:

  • Schedule an in-person or virtual Summer Success Coaching appointment to discuss your academic, personal, and career goals for the semester.
  • Launch your career by collaborating with a Career Coach to explore potential majors and career paths, internship opportunities, and more. 
August

Welcome back TU campus! Get settled into your housing space, gather your syllabi, and start planning your semester.

Readjusting to Life On-Campus:

  • Connect with new members of your residence hall or residential learning community during floor meetings and welcome events.
  • Include important housing dates in your planner and semester plan, listed on the Housing and Residential Life website.
  • Attend NTC Student Success's academic workshops and programs to develop a solid foundation for your semester.
  • Meet with your professors during office hours to introduce yourself, discuss research opportunities, and ask any questions you may have about future coursework.

Budget Assistance:

  • Explore this sample budget, courtesy of Splash Card Services, and review your particular lifestyle and financial resources.
  • Apply your notes to develop, implement, and monitor your budget. The Office of Financial Aid provides Financial Literacy & Planning resources on their website. 

Getting Involved:

  • Explore Campus Life's 200+ student organizations and find one or two to get involved with this year.
  • Consider applying for leadership and mentorship roles on campus. Not only will you gain transferrable skills and develop your professional skill set, but you can welcome the newest wave of Tulane students!
September

Don't miss our Sophomore September events and activities planned just for you! Also begin planning for midterms, happening next month.

Advanced Midterms Planning:

October

Midterms month is here!  Take advantage of the free on-campus resources to help you further prepare for your upcoming exams. This is also a good time to start considering what you your major(s) to be. 

Month-of Midterm Resources:

Major Declaration:

  • Academic Advising is available to help you with the major declaration process. Schedule an appointment!
  • Before you declare, connect with other students and professors in your field of interest.
November

Time to register for spring courses! With Thanksgiving break coming up, it is important to make an advising appointment with an Academic Advisor and prioritize your remaining tasks and assignments to stay on top of your remaining course load. Finals will be here before you know it!

Prioritization Resources:

  • Meet with an Academic Advisor to review your midterm grades and register for the spring semester.
  • Schedule an appointment with a Success Coach or a Peer Success Leader to collaborate on an individual success plan and determine ways to improve with the remaining time left in the semester.

Advanced Finals Prep:

December

Finals are HERE! Before the holiday celebrations can commence, you have to take your exams and leave campus. The process of exams and temporarily moving back home can be stressful. Utilize stress management and exam prep services that are free to you on campus.

Month-of Finals Resources:

Stress Management:

  • Attend a free event on campus or use the Reilly Center to get a workout in
  • Enjoy Campus Health's free study break programs.

 

Winter Break

Rest, relaxation, and reflection. Use this off time to reflect on your experience at Tulane this far and what you hope to accomplish in the coming semester. 

Reflection Questions:

  • What did I like about my fall semester?
  • What would I change about my semester and my academic performance?
  • What did I learn were my greatest strengths? My biggest areas for improvement?
  • Were my milestones and goals mostly met, and how much did I deviate from them if any?
  • How will I use what I've learned in the future?
January

We're back on campus! Not only is it time to gear up for a new semester, it's also a good idea to begin planning your summer. Start researching opportunities of where you may be interested in volunteering or interning and connect with a Career Coach to spark your search. If you plan to study abroad, make sure you're submitting applications online and meeting program deadlines.

Summer Preparation:

Getting Involved:

  • Explore Campus Life's 200+ student organizations and find one or two to get involved with this year.
  • Consider applying for leadership and mentorship roles on campus. Not only will you gain transferrable skills and develop your professional skill set, but you can welcome the newest wave of Tulane students!
February

Midterms (and Mardi Gras) are fast approaching. It's time to start preparing again before the festivities begin. Goal: make grades you'd want to parade down the street, New Orleans style. 

Advanced Midterms Planning:

March

Midterms are back!  Take advantage of the free on-campus resources to help you further prepare for your upcoming exams. Also, get excited! Sophomore Week and the Sophomore Declaration Celebration are happening beginning of April. Make sure to schedule an appointment with an advisor so you can declare your major. 

Month-of Midterm Resources:

Major Declaration:

  • Academic Advising is available to help you with the major declaration process. Schedule an appointment!
  • Before you declare, connect with other students and professors in your field of interest.
April

On top of celebrating yourself at Sophomore Week, it's time to register for summer and fall classes AND prepare for finals again! Get started with exam prep now. Your future self thanks you. 

Sophomore Week:

Prioritization Resources:

  • Meet with an Academic Advisor to review your midterm grades and register for the spring semester.
  • Schedule an appointment with a Success Coach or a Peer Success Leader to collaborate on an individual success plan and determine ways to improve with the remaining time left in the semester.

Advanced Finals Prep:

May

Finals are HERE! Utilize stress management and exam prep services that are free to you on campus. When cleaning out your residence hall, be sure to set some things aside for Tulane's Trash to Treasure event. The FedEx in the LBC has packing resources for you to utilize to make moving out as easy as possible.

Month-of Finals Resources:

Stress Management:

  • Attend a free campus event or use the Reilly Center to get a workout in.
  • Enjoy Campus Health's free study break programs.

Moving out:

  • Use on-campus packing services, courtesy of the LBC FedEx.
  • Donate unwanted, gently used items to Trash to Treasure.
June-July

You've just reached upperclassman status, congratulations! Use your down time this summer to start prepping for junior year.

School Preparation During Summer:

  • Launch your career by collaborating with a Career Coach to explore potential majors and career paths, internship opportunities, and more.