Second-Year Experience

The research literature on the college sophomore year experience has described what had already been billed by popular media as the sophomore slump in the United States and the second-year blues in the United Kingdom, identifying a period during the college experience when students’ motivation, interest, and satisfaction may decrease. The initial concept gave insight into the psychological, social, and emotional well-being of the second-year college student but has also been used to acknowledge the challenges second-year students may face in their academic classes and in the selection of majors. While the term slump suggests a distinct negative experience, research in the 21st century suggests that the sophomore year experience is filled with challenging decisions and opportunities for college students. This entry discusses reasons why ...