Year two places an emphasis on inquiry and exploration. By the end of their sophomore year, students will be asked to make a decision about a major course (or courses) of study. This involves finding a major that would not only help the student meet life and career goals, but that the student also finds appealing and fulfilling. As more and more of the prerequisite GERs are fulfilled, more responsibility is taken on by the student in terms of making decisions about personal and academic choices, including investigating study away, internship, and research opportunities.
- What do you envision for the year ahead?
- Have your academic interests become clearer or have they changed? What steps have you taken to gather information about potential majors and/or interdisciplinary minors?
- What challenges do you anticipate during your second year?
- If your initial academic plan has not worked out like you had originally intended, what steps have you taken to explore other potential options?
- What skills are you developing through exploring GER courses?
- What are your future goals based on your experiences to date?
- What Furman Advantage engaged opportunities interest you? Have you thought about participating in research, internships, study away or community engagement?
- What Furman Advantage activity aligns with your interests and future goals?
- Have you explored available opportunities? Do you know what campus resources to seek out to find out more about these opportunities?
- How might you prioritize and adjust your involvement in co-curricular and extracurricular activities so that you focus on those that really matter to you? Are there on-campus employment opportunities to develop relevant skills?
- How are you able to keep up with the increased academic demands that come in the second year? Are you aware of academic and health-related resources available to support you?
- Attend classes and be prepared.
- Attend CLP events that are of interest.
- Explore co-curricular and extracurricular activities.
- Narrow decision down on a major/minor. Seek advice from your academic advisor, faculty member, or other mentor.
- Explore potential study away opportunities.
- Attend departmental information events to understand what engaged experiences (e.g. research, internships, study away, community engagement) are offered.
- Explore potential summer opportunities. For research experiences, talk with faculty in your area of interest. For potential internship opportunities, set up a meeting with the Internship Office. Deadlines to apply for funding for these experiences are early spring.
- Explore part-time internship opportunities in Greenville, available in the Fall or Spring semesters, by visiting the Internship Office.
- Visit the Malone Center for Career Engagement to learn more about potential career paths in your area of interest.
- Maintain good academic and conduct standing.
- Meet, in person, with your academic advisor to discuss your plan for spring courses.
- Register for spring courses.
- Meet, in person, with your academic advisor to reflect on the previous semester and set goals for the up-coming semester.
- Attend classes, and be prepared.
- Attend CLP events that are of interest.
- Explore co-curricular and extracurricular activities.
- Explore May X opportunities and enroll (optional).
- Explore summer courses (optional).
- Apply for financial aid and scholarships for next year.
- Register for fall housing.
- Attend Departmental Information events to understand what engaged experiences (e.g. research, internships, study away, community engagement) are offered.
- Talk with your academic advisor, faculty member or other mentor about potential summer experiences (e.g. research, internships, community engagement, or relevant employment).
- Attend Furman Engaged to learn about engaged experiences that you may wish to participate in.
- Explore professional development opportunities. Visit the Malone Center for Career Engagement to learn more about potential career paths in your area of interest.
- Schedule a meeting with a department/interdisciplinary minor program chair to declare a major/minor.
- Maintain good academic and conduct standing.
- Start mapping out an action plan with your academic advisor for completing the major/minor.
- Meet, in person, with your academic advisor to discuss your plan for fall courses.
- Register for fall courses.