Overcoming a College Slump
Strategies for Getting through a Challenging Season
"Embrace progress over perfection, and you’ll achieve more than you ever thought possible."
- Unknown
You often hear talk of the sophomore slump- a time when students can experience heightened uncertainty and lower motivation, in addition to second-guessing their choices in their first year of college.
However, we recognize that this same type of slump will likely impact students at all levels - a college slump.
Below, we outline strategies and resources for overcoming a challenging college season; think about how you might be feeling right now: How is your motivation? How are your social connections? How is your physical and mental health? How is your overall organization?
Reflecting on your feelings can help you take the first step toward addressing what kind of support you need. Here are some ideas to get you thinking and to mix it up a bit:
- Get a group of friends together for a game night.
- Organize a small study group. Even if each person is focused on individual work, having the presence of others with you can be a big mood booster!
- Is the weather nice? Meet up with a friend to take a walk/hike or lunch in a park.
- Spend time with Officer Chip!
- Take a break and check out some fitness classes in the RAC!
Additionally, don’t forget that
Campus Life offers many opportunities for student engagement. Check out their
myUMBC page or follow the
Student Events Board (SEB) for a list of events. Student organizations meet and hold events throughout the semester so we encourage you to find groups and events that interest you!
Academically, you may be feeling a lack of motivation to attend class or study. You also may be questioning your choice of major and wondering if you should change your academic path. Here are some resources and ideas for you to check out to keep your academics on track:
- The Academic Success Center has great online learning resources, including a series of interactive videos. Additionally, the ASC offers tutoring services if you need extra support.
- Check in with your professors during their office hours or chat with a TA to get assistance with specific questions you have about your course content
- Advisors in the Office for Academic & Pre-Professional Advising welcome the opportunity to discuss your academic plans, including any potential major changes you are considering.
- Get inspired about your academic and professional journey and attend THE MAJOR EVENT this week!
If making social or academic changes seems too much right now, a step in the direction of your mental health and well-being may be a better fit. If so, we encourage you to explore resources and
events available through
Retriever Integrated Health.
Slumps are a normal part of any college experience. It may seem like everyone around you has things 100% figured out, but that is certainly not the case! What you do during a slump will set the course for your remaining time at UMBC. The solution is almost always to take some action, no matter how small the step! You got this, Retrievers!
Some students enter college knowing what they want to study, while others take time to explore their options. Sometimes students may start on one path and then end up on a completely different one. Each journey to choosing a college major is unique and that is OKAY!
If you are still considering your options, we are here to offer some thoughts on the major decision process:
- Educate yourself on all of UMBC’s academic programs - majors, minors and certificates.
- Consider your strengths and interests - what subjects do you enjoy studying? What type of classroom setting do you prefer? What have you been skilled at academically in the past?
- Discuss your options with an academic advisor in The Office for Academic & Pre-Professional Advising - the go-to advising office on campus for students exploring majors or transitioning between majors.
- Create a few academic plans to determine which program will help you get to your graduation goal faster or will best provide you with the overall college experience you are seeking (for example, if you know you want to study abroad, perhaps seeing which majors would be best aligned with your study abroad goals would help choose your path).
- Don’t assume that your college major has to align with a specific type of job. Many majors offer pathways to various when you consider the actual skill set you are gaining from a particular major.
- If you are really stuck, ask for input from those who know you best, but ultimately make the choice yourself.
- If you have family pressures to pursue a specific major, what other ways you can bring your interests into your academic pathway? A minor? An extracurricular activity?
- Explore parallel paths when your chosen major isn’t working out academically. For example, if you are struggling with the math and science components of Computer Science, perhaps Information Systems, another technology-focused major, might be a better fit.
**SHAMELESS PLUG ALERT**
One timely way to explore UMBC's diverse majors is to attend our upcoming Major Event the week of October 30th.
While we certainly support students taking their time to make this important decision, we do encourage students to decide on a major no later than the end of their sophomore year. This will help ensure you are on track for a timely graduation.
Happy Exploring!
Helpful Links
Advising Contact List
FOCUS2 and other self-assessment tools via the Career Center
UMBC Academic Pathways (sample four-year academic pathways for each major)
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