What Can I Expect from Sophomore Year? The College Journey Part 4

We all know freshman year is a big turning point.  There's orientations, welcome celebrations, loads of "firsts" to experience - but with three more years of college, the changes and growth have only begun.  

What happens next?

This week, Dr. Ross and student producer Ashley Worley reconvene with two students who appeared on the podcast in their first week of freshman year: Mary Mooney and Dominick Robinette.  Now approaching the end of their sophomore year, they discuss the variety of developmental shifts and struggles they've encountered, like juggling school and part-time work, navigating internship applications, and building interpersonal confidence in the classroom.  Through it all, they offer insights on how this often-overlooked middle year can be just as pivotal for growth as the first.

Have more questions about surviving and thriving in sophomore year?  Email us at ADRquestions@gmail.com.  We'd love to hear from you!

Transcript

Welcome And Series Check-In

SPEAKER_01 0:04

Stay tuned to the Ask Dr. Ross Podcast. It's created to give you info to succeed at college. Our hosts are highly qualified. Dr. Katherine Ross is a member of the University of Texas System's Academy of Distinguished Teachers. She's also a popular professor of 19th century English literature. Ask Dr. Ross is a community service of the University of Texas at Tyler.

SPEAKER_02 0:31

This is part of a series we're doing on Mary and Dominic. We have been traveling with them from their freshman year, and we hope to still all be moving along towards senior year when you all graduate. So right now, this is our fourth interview, and this is the second semester of your sophomore years. Mary began with us in a very nervous freshman as an English major. And are you still real happy being an English major? Definitely, yes. All right, good to hear that. Dominic, you started out wanting to do pre-med, but you changed over to electrical engineering, and you're still happy with that decision.

SPEAKER_00 1:05

Yes, I think that is the best decision I've made so far.

SPEAKER_02 1:08

Okay, well that's good to know. So then there's all sorts of other things, though, we talked about whether or not you had jobs, whether or not you had local engagements with the university. We know, Mary, for example, that you're part of the honors college. And we know that Dominic, what's your news about the honors college?

SPEAKER_00 1:25

I have joined recently as of fall 25. I'm now part of the honors college.

SPEAKER_02 1:31

So you came as a regular old student and you did so well that you were invited to be into the honors college, and that's a big honor. Has that changed your life at all compared to your freshman year when you weren't in the college?

SPEAKER_00 1:43

It has definitely changed quite a bit. Like I've made just even more connections than I would have like ever expected to because the honors college is so tightly knit. Like they have events throughout the semesters to get us to know each other. And the classes are a lot more like smaller and discussion-based. So I absolutely have loved the honors college.

SPEAKER_04 2:03

And Mary, does that fit with your continuing experience in the honors college? Yes, I definitely the classes that the honors college provides are definitely discussion-based, and it it provides a community that's like super tightly knit. Like you start with people in your freshman year and you see them all the way to graduation. And that's, I feel like, really unique amongst the college.

SPEAKER_02 2:21

I think in a big university, that's pretty unique, isn't it? Now, we have a third honors college person here in Ashley, our producer. Did you want to add anything to that one?

SPEAKER_03 2:29

Aaron Powell I totally agree with what y'all are saying. It's been one of the most fun and one of the most inviting communities, and it is a special experience having the same cohort for several years across several different classes. They've just set it up really well and have really, really enjoyed it.

SPEAKER_02 2:44

Aaron Powell The thing I would add for those who don't know what an honors college is is it's a special college within the university and students are identified out in the state around who are considered to be very high-level students. I was an honors student myself years ago, and what I like about it, having been at both the state university and at several other smaller liberal arts colleges is that within a huge state university, which is a neat thing in itself, the honors college is kind of like being in a small liberal arts college within, and so you have much closer relationships, and as you said, smaller classes and things like that. Although a lot of our classes at UT Tyler, even outside of the Honors College, are not that big compared to, you know, 450 students in a lecturer in like UT Austin and things like

Honors College Community And Benefits

SPEAKER_02 3:33

that. So let's just do a little catching up.

SPEAKER_04 3:35

So, Mary, are you working? I am an office cashier at one of the grocery stores here in Tyler at Super One Foods.

SPEAKER_02 3:44

So you've moved up the Jane there?

SPEAKER_04 3:46

Well, I originally was working at a store in my hometown, Berkshire Brothers, and then I was hired on into Super One as an office cashier. So yeah, I technically yeah, moved.

SPEAKER_02 3:54

And that's the same company though, right? Isn't Super One as part of Brookshers?

SPEAKER_04 3:58

Aaron Powell Brookshire Brothers is different from Super One. So there's Brookshers and then Berkshire Brothers. It's a small distinction, but yeah, I'm now a part of BGC, Berkshire Grocery Company.

SPEAKER_02 4:08

Uh-huh. So you've moved up to the bigger scene. I see. And you're in the office instead of out on the floor. And so are you getting any new skills that are really particularly useful to college, or is it just a really good steady paycheck?

SPEAKER_04 4:21

I think it's helping me with my management skills and definitely, I guess, people's skills. One of my jobs is to kind of manage the cashiers out there, you know, put them on their breaks, get them back on the register, you know, help them with anything. And I feel like that's helping me with not only like my communication skills, but also like kind of feeling empowered. Not not like, oh yeah, I'm the boss, but like being able to be like, okay, I know my stuff.

SPEAKER_02 4:45

You have some more responsibility and stepping up to that is part of what going through college is too. Yeah. Dominic, you've been a worker ever since you started here, I think.

SPEAKER_00 4:55

Yeah. The only time I didn't have a job was my very first semester. But since then I've had a study job with the university itself. I've worked in a couple different offices, but right now I currently work in the new student and family programs office as a student transition coordinator. So I'm one of three student workers who are essentially in charge of planning orientation with the help of some professional staff members.

SPEAKER_02 5:23

Now that is a very big job, isn't it?

SPEAKER_00 5:26

Yes, it is.

SPEAKER_02 5:27

Don't we do several orientations a year to get everybody in?

SPEAKER_00 5:30

Yeah. Over summer we will have six orientation sessions and we will have three swoop camp sessions, which those are like this is the more fun part of getting to college and you kind of get to meet your friends and you don't have to worry about anything for about like three days, no stress, nothing, just getting to meet people and having fun.

SPEAKER_02 5:48

So all of these are university jobs. So you're being paid for what? 19 and a half hours is what I understand is the standard. So it sounds like you've got some responsibilities in that job too, that is people oriented.

SPEAKER_00 6:01

Yes. Yeah. With this job, the big focus last semester in the fall was actually growing us.

SPEAKER_03 6:08

I do seem to remember the last time we talked to you, you had either applied for or just gotten a position as a swoop camp counselor.

SPEAKER_00 6:16

Yes.

SPEAKER_03 6:17

Is that also under student family programs?

SPEAKER_00 6:19

Yes. So I actually, in my current position, I will be overseeing our leaders. But like, yeah, as I was saying, last semester, our big focus was to turn us into better leaders. So we had lots of trainings with professional staff members, lots of like little quizzes to kind of learn like our leadership style and how to communicate better and to be more professional. And so now I feel more ready than I ever have to help lead a team of around like 22 orientation leaders throughout an entire summer.

SPEAKER_02 6:50

And under that, then you also have thousands of students that come in for the orientation, right? So this is getting to be a bigger and bigger job. The thing I like about that kind of job is that you are being trained explicitly for skills that you'll need in a working situation. And so it's partly working and getting an income, but it's also learning on the job, which is a really valuable thing. Now, Mary, has the Brookshire Brothers company given you that kind of benefit as well? I would definitely say BGC.

SPEAKER_04 7:24

That company isn't really college and like a career outside of BGC focused. So I feel like really getting a job on campus is definitely better for developing yourself after college and getting a job for that. Working at a grocery store off the campus is kind of just for the money. And do you work more than 19 and a half hours a week? Definitely.

SPEAKER_02 7:49

See, to me, it's better to be Dominic with a slightly lower salary per hour and have the time to study. Because if you have to work 30 hours a week, that really cuts into your study time, young lady.

SPEAKER_04 8:02

Yes, it does. There are many sleepless nights that go on with my schedule now. But I find myself kind of just stuck because it's like I don't really know how to get a job on campus. I guess I don't know certain avenues that I can take to get a good position.

SPEAKER_02 8:20

Maybe Dominic can help you with that. Dominic, would you give her some advice on that? Because you've gotten several jobs on campus.

SPEAKER_00 8:26

Yeah, I mean, the way I found all of my jobs on campus, my first one was working for the University Center just as a regular student assistant. In there, I just applied through handshake, and then I was able to get close enough with my manager, and she recommended me to the orientation staff to be an orientation leader. And then through there, they only hire people in my current position who have been orientation leaders. So that was kind of like the next step.

SPEAKER_02 8:53

Well, you've obviously done well so far as a university employee, and so they'll probably want you in some other capacity. Now, does Mary, do you know what handshake is?

SPEAKER_04 9:02

I think it's like the college source or like a website that you can go and like apply for internships and jobs on campus and stuff like that.

SPEAKER_02 9:10

Exactly. And I think most universities have something like that, because most universities right now are real concerned that all students have the beginnings of professional skills. Now you didn't get your job with the podcast using handshake, did you, Ashley?

SPEAKER_03 9:24

Aaron Ross Powell No, it was sort of a similar situation to what Dominic was saying. I started work just as a patriot ambassador.

SPEAKER_02 9:31

How'd you get that job?

SPEAKER_03 9:32

I applied. It was through handshake. And I was leading tours across campus. It was a very low hours requirement, but it was good training, and I became very good friends with one of my tour guide partners, and it was fun. After that, there was an opening also on handshake and posted on the Flyers on the Walls, which is another good place to check, for a position at the digital design studio. That's no longer open, but I worked that position as the design studio assistant. So I also became very good friends with my manager. We had a blast working together, and that was graphic design help, putting together a brand kit for their social media, that kind of thing. And she was Michaela Murphy. She was the former co-host.

SPEAKER_02 10:15

So be thinking about those things, Mary, because I know once you have a job, you kind of want to hold on to it's a sure thing, but you might be looking.

Campus Jobs And Handshake Basics

SPEAKER_02 10:22

So let's talk a little bit about how classes are going. Mary, if I remember right, when you first got here, you were terrified of your professors, you were afraid you weren't smart enough, and all of those things. And then the second or third time we talked to you, you were starting to feel a little more secure. I know you've always felt, almost from the very beginning, that English was the right choice for you. So can you kind of give us a little bit of a read on your temperature as an English major and how your anxiety levels and competency levels and confidence are coming?

SPEAKER_04 10:52

I think they've definitely improved, definitely since the first episode we did. I feel like, of course, throughout the classes that I've already taken, I've gained knowledge that has helped me in other classes. So I feel when I walk into the classroom, I'm like, I know some stuff, you know, like I can I can apply things to this classroom that are not only going to help me, but also everyone else.

SPEAKER_02 11:13

Aaron Powell What you just said is really important. When you're a good student and when you add and are engaged in class, it is good for the other classmates and it makes it a richer classroom. And I think a lot of times students don't realize how much of an impact their own private individual student self can make on their classmates in a classroom and on the professor.

SPEAKER_04 11:34

Yeah, it's definitely that. Seeing other classmates that are with me and how they interact in class and everything definitely also made me more confident because I was able to see, hey, I have those skills and they're able to lead with such confidence and talk to the professor, and the professor, you know, notes on how, oh yes, that's that's a great answer. You're going in the right direction. And being able to see that I'm in that place as well has definitely given me a lot more academic confidence.

SPEAKER_02 11:59

Is that because you're starting to already be in upper division courses?

SPEAKER_04 12:03

I think that has to do with it, yeah. And kind of like finding myself amongst the whole department, you know, because when you first, especially in a major like English, there's a lot of doubts with that choice, like, oh, what are you gonna do with that? And, you know, and being able to not only thrive in these classes, but also see avenues where I could take this degree and I can apply it to real world situations after college, it's definitely given me much more confidence with it.

SPEAKER_02 12:27

Alrighty. Well, come back to some things. I want to ask some more about your English department experience. But let's go over to you, Dominic. How is electrical engineering faring for you?

SPEAKER_00 12:36

Sophomore year is one of those years that I would say people probably consider a weed out year. It's one of the tougher years because it's when you start taking like your calculus two, your calculus three, differential equations, a lot of stuff that people get in and they're like, maybe I'm a little in over my head. And what I have to say about that is there is times where I do kind of feel that way. You know, like I I look at the class, I'm like, do I really kind of belong here? But then, you know, I just I power through it and it's been a great experience. You know, there has been times where it's like you get a grade that you're not entirely a fan of, but I think that ultimately is what builds character and has built me into the person I am now, to where I am confident in my ability and you know the struggles make me who I am.

SPEAKER_02 13:26

Yeah. I think one of the first things I always say to students is that if you're not struggling, you're probably not learning. Now, this thing of do I belong here, the sort of imposter syndrome is very common in college. Have you felt it, Ashley?

SPEAKER_03 13:40

I think probably everyone's felt it at some point in their life.

SPEAKER_02 13:43

Aaron Powell Because we compare ourselves and we shouldn't.

SPEAKER_03 13:47

I didn't have very specific experiences where I was like, this was the moment. I definitely related to what Mary was saying about English being one of those degrees where people tell you, what are you going to be able to do with that? And it's true that because it is so broad, some of the work for finding the application and finding what it is that you're wanting to do, that's up to the student because it's not as clearly outlined for you as some other degree plans. But that doesn't mean that those degrees don't have a good place. Even MassCom, which is sort of narrower compared to just communications in general. There's so many different routes in MassCom. And so finding that application on your own is something that I think is great for students to take the initiative for.

SPEAKER_02 14:41

You want to talk about that experience a little bit?

SPEAKER_00 14:44

Yeah. I mean, there has been times, like the first time I got an exam back with something that was around a 50, I was like, man, like, is this the path for me? Like it kind of it made me take a step back for a couple days and kind of think about it. But as I thought more about it, why should I give up? Like why there's no reason for me to give up. You know, this is just a small step back in order to take a bigger leap forward.

SPEAKER_02 15:08

Well, and the other thing I would add for you to think about, and I imagine your professor told you this, is go back over that test and figure out every single place where you lost points, what was I not thinking of that I needed to be thinking of, or what did I forget here, or did I misread it? Because if you can analyze why you got a grade you were not a fan of, as you said, then you'll know how to not make that same mistake again. And I I'm betting a lot of the people made 50s on that test too. Was it one of the first ones of the year?

SPEAKER_00 15:35

Yes, it's one of the first ones, and it's in a higher level math class like Calculus 2, which is one of those classes that, you know, people make a joke, you know, it's called Calculus 2 because you gotta take it twice.

SPEAKER_02 15:47

Uh Well, I hope you don't have to take it twice, but even if you were to do it, the process of struggling through that, it's really important. So, Mary, I know you've been real hard on yourself when you got like a 98 instead of 102. So I don't know if I want to push this button on you, but have you had getting a grade you were not a big fan of?

SPEAKER_04 16:06

Well, yeah, definitely for sure. I feel like last semester was full of roller coasters. I started my job at Super One the same day I started school. With me, the grades weren't necessarily because I didn't know my stuff. It was simply just time management. In fact, there was an online class that I was close to failing

Confidence, Hard Classes, And Imposter Syndrome

SPEAKER_04 16:28

at the end of the semester simply because I didn't turn in my work and they weren't able to be made up just because I, you know, had too much on my plate. And definitely that whole experience changed my whole outlook on getting a 98 instead of 102. It happens and especially pertaining to like my schedule and time management, I kind of had to redirect my priorities and be like, okay, well, I'm in school and that's gonna, you know, lead me for the rest of my life. Super one isn't the end goal. And I mean, I'd say the workplace definitely does not encourage college to be my priority. It's, you know, you have to be here, you know, do all this extra stuff. And I definitely had to reroute those priorities and, you know, talk to my professors, kind of tell them what was going on. And I was able to get all my grades up to passing. And with the scholarship I'm on, definitely have to pass. But definitely last semester showed me that failures or bad grades like that are definitely like things that I have to go through in order to get past and keep on going in college. This semester I definitely have noticed, you know, my time management and my work ethic is way better because it's like I want to do good. It's not just like, oh, I have to kind of do this stuff. I want to be able to get those great grades and stuff like that. And so far, I'm being able to do it again.

SPEAKER_02 17:43

Sophomore year is always quite an interesting ride. You know, you come back after your freshman year and you think, boy, I've got this figured out. And then all of a sudden, you're rolling on through some oftentimes you are taking third-year courses. So let's hear about your social life, Dominic.

Social Life, Greek Life, And Service

SPEAKER_02 18:01

What's been going on?

SPEAKER_00 18:02

I believe last time we spoke, I may have mentioned it very briefly, but I am a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity here on campus. So that right there has really just skyrocketed my social life in general because I was immediately connected with the brotherhood that is here on campus, but also there is people nationally that I can talk to. And the thing that we have in common is that we are in the same fraternity. Like we do the same things, we practice the same things. The big part that we all do the exact same is our ritual, which is something that we cannot share with the public. But we have all gone through like the same process of you know, starting out as a new member or what we would consider a pledge. So that is before you are fully initiated into the brotherhood, and then you go through the exact same initiation as everyone else.

SPEAKER_02 18:54

You have to behave yourself during that time, right? And live up to certain standards. What are some of those standards?

SPEAKER_00 18:59

Some of those standards are making sure, at least for us, that you meet the scholarship requirements, which is we require a minimum of a 2.5 GPA. And then besides that, we require a lot of service hours. I believe we require around 40 service hours per member per semester.

SPEAKER_02 19:16

Per semester? That's a lot of hours. What kind of service have you been doing?

SPEAKER_00 19:20

I personally have done quite a bit with boathouse ministries. So with that, I usually help with a lot of the setup and teardown and kind of management of that. And that gets me about 10 hours a week. And then besides that, though, we've done service projects as a brotherhood at this philanthropy service area around here called Pets for People, which is a pet shelter. They have dogs, cats, all sorts of different animals. And we've gone there, we've cleaned up their pins, we've taken the dogs out. Actually, one of our guys last time we went ended up adopting a dog.

SPEAKER_02 19:51

Good for him.

SPEAKER_00 19:52

So just, you know, fully helping out these people as much as we can. And we do a lot of other service projects around the area and we partner up with other Greek life here on campus.

SPEAKER_02 20:01

Sounds like you do a lot more than 40 hours a semester.

SPEAKER_00 20:04

Yes. I personally do. Some guys, they they get busy, and we completely understand life is very busy, so it's a little bit harder to try and get them out there, but you know, we try our hardest, and as long as we are all putting our effort in, like we are growing and we are becoming better people.

SPEAKER_02 20:21

So how many young men are in your fraternity?

SPEAKER_00 20:24

Right now we have 33 initiates. And then just recently we have added eight pledges.

SPEAKER_02 20:31

Okay. So that's about 40 people.

SPEAKER_00 20:34

We have a couple members in the fraternity that are also part of the honors college. I can think of, I believe, four right now. And if I include myself, I believe that's five.

SPEAKER_02 20:44

So your social life is pretty busy between the honors college groups, the fraternity, and then also it sounds like your job is pretty social too. It keeps you busy too. Yeah, what about you, Mary? What kind of social life are you managing these days? Sounds like with 30 hours a week at the Brookshard Brothers, you may have less time for that.

SPEAKER_04 21:01

For sure. Compared to Dominic, I'm definitely secluded. When I'm at work, you know, of course I interact with customers and my employees, but it's the same people, you know, and it's it's very superficial work relationships. I do have the honors college. However, most of the time with the required events that we have to go to. One recently was a film fest that the students of Honors World Text and Image 3, they made films with Dr. LeBlanc, and they got to showcase those films, and the whole honors college got to go watch them. But unfortunately, I was not scheduled off of work. I unfortunately had to miss out, which really bummed me out. So I just have to make up that event, but it won't be with my honors college colleagues. So I feel like I'm definitely missing out on a lot of opportunities to network and get out there. But now you live on campus.

SPEAKER_02 21:49

I do. So that gives you another place.

SPEAKER_04 21:51

Yes, that is true. So I'm not as secluded. And of course, I do have a boyfriend and I always hang out with him. Is have you had him all the time you've been here? Yeah, actually we started dating in the middle of my freshman semester or the first semester I came to college. So yeah, he's he's stuck around. And definitely that's been that's been great for me and and having a friend like that to back me up. But yeah.

SPEAKER_02 22:14

And that's the big balancing act, isn't it? Work versus school versus social life. But it doesn't sound like you really are secluded. And speaking as a member of the English department faculty, we try not to ever let you all get too secluded. We like to keep you all busy and we keep an eye out for you because we want you to be happy and to do well.

Pride, Setbacks, And Bouncing Back

SPEAKER_02 22:33

When you think about the last two years, Dominic, what are you thinking about as sort of your greatest satisfaction and maybe you're also your greatest disappointment? Amery, you'd be thinking about those two for you.

SPEAKER_00 22:45

Yeah, I would say my greatest satisfaction so far has just been to see my personal growth. Like I think back of who I was two years ago starting off in college, didn't really know anyone, moved across the entire state of Texas, and knew like very few people. And the only ones I actually kind of knew were my roommates and people I went to orientation and swoop camp with. So, like just seeing that kind of growth from me being afraid to talk to people and not really knowing anyone, to now I have such a large network of everyone on campus. I work every day with very high-level professional staff. I've spent a lot of time with other students. I'm very happy about this, but like I walk into any building on campus and there is someone I recognize.

SPEAKER_02 23:33

That's great.

SPEAKER_00 23:34

And I absolutely adore it and I love it.

SPEAKER_02 23:37

You know, one minute though ago you said you were afraid to talk to people. Well, how did that change?

SPEAKER_00 23:43

So that changed because honestly, because of my positions that I hold, both being an employee for the office that I am in now, that's helped me a lot. I have to talk to a lot of people that I don't really know that well.

SPEAKER_02 23:56

So you just had to learn how to do it.

SPEAKER_00 23:58

Yeah. Just had to learn how to do it. But also, as a fraternity, one of our biggest things we do is recruitment. So with that, I talk to a lot of people who are either iffy about joining or people I just want to get to know. And I don't even think about bringing up joining until later on. But just getting to know people and kind of like be friends with people is something that I've figured out and I absolutely love talking to people, hearing their stories. So yeah, it's one of my favorite things.

SPEAKER_02 24:26

You know, I'll bet you when you were going through the pledging and the recruiting for the fraternity, you saw examples of young men who were doing it pretty well too, weren't you? Plus your employers. I think that a lot of the faculty and staff that work with our student workers are pretty good at helping you see that. Hold on to your disappointment for a minute. Let's hear Mary, what is your the accomplishment you're proudest of so far?

SPEAKER_04 24:48

I feel like definitely it would come from this year. I feel like m me springing back from almost failing most of my classes from last semester. In fact, this semester I'm taking Dr. Strong. He's the one of the scary teachers here. Yes. And I had a lot of scary messages before taking this class. And with that, you know, I was kind of nervous about we just had our first homework assignment. And I was kind of nervous about what I was gonna get, but I got a perfect score. First try. And that's definitely looking good for my grade for that class. So just seeing, you know, back in October, me literally making a 38 in a class now to having a great grade and a hard, hard class, definitely I feel like that's my best accomplishment because I proved to myself that I can spring back.

SPEAKER_02 25:35

Absolutely. You know, I think the first, especially for a good student, and all of you all are, the first time you don't do well, it it's earth-shaking, you know, because you are really used to being on the top of the game. And you can never really finally be there. Because always a harder game. There's always a a new game, or someone shows up who's maybe a little bit better than you. And so I'm glad to hear you say that, Mary, because that was my biggest concern as your professor and as just a person who knew you, is that I want you to be sure to know that you can roll back just fine. So now we'll go to the down for a minute. Did you have anything that disappointed you that are maybe you're still working on, right, Dominic? Because I think it's important for people to know this is a real experience. It's not all perfect.

SPEAKER_00 26:15

Yeah. I mean, and this is something that I'm fairly open about now because, you know, it does happen. But last semester I did end up failing a class just barely. And so the disappointment that came with that, it set me back for a while. You know, there were there was like a good like four days where I was just kind of like, wow, like there's no way that this is a reality. You know, I'm having to kind of slow down everything else and retake a class. And so it's a hard thing to do, but especially in engineering, I guess a way to kind of make it sound not so terrible is like it's a fairly common thing that happens, and I've come to terms with it, and I will never be happy about it happening, but I've come to terms with it, and you know, ultimately it is growing me as a person, and I, you know, just gotta power through, persevere, really never give up.

SPEAKER_02 27:07

Yeah, and honestly, I'm really pleased to hear you say that, because as a professor, I can't tell you how many students like you talented, hardworking, who landed on their knees and were wondering if they could get it back up. And you almost always can. And thanks for being honest enough about admitting that, because I think a lot of people out there listening who might be really happy to know that even the famous Dominic has been down once or twice. What about you, Mary? Are you gonna rehearse the same thing you just talked about? Or do you have something else?

SPEAKER_04 27:39

Well, yeah, it kind of goes hand in hand. A part of me almost failing some of my classes last semester was I skipped a lot of classes last semester. Something I never thought I would say and admit to. But yes, there was a lot of classes that I didn't go to, not because I couldn't, because at the time it felt easier just to skip it. And that's definitely a one of the biggest disappointments I have in myself because it was only me. You know, I had the day off, wanted to just take it out. And a lot of what I struggled with towards the end of last semester with my grades came from simply skipping and just seeing the easy way out, not having to go to class, you know. I can I'll do it next lecture. This one doesn't matter, but that's definitely something I'm I'm still very disappointed in myself. And moving forward, I avoid.

SPEAKER_02 28:29

Yeah. I'm glad to hear you say that you aren't gonna do it anymore. It it is also a very common sophomore behavior, alas, and one that should be avoided.

What They’re Looking Forward To

SPEAKER_02 28:39

So what are you looking forward to now, Dominic?

SPEAKER_00 28:42

There's actually quite a bit I'm looking forward to, both at the end of this semester, over summer, and beyond. The rest of this semester, I have a pretty cool conference that I'm getting to go to. It is called the Gulf of America Conclave for the fraternity. So it's gonna be a big meeting of everyone kind of in like the southeast area of the United States. All the chapters are invited to go to this big conclave. It's gonna be a big networking event, get to learn a lot about leadership. But then also this summer, I just look forward to kind of having more of a leadership position over orientation. So last summer I was kind of like the face of orientation. Like I was the one that the students interacted with all the time and they they saw me. Like I was one of the ones that they remembered specifically. This time I'll be playing more of like a in the background, but still very important. So that's something else I'm also looking very forward to.

SPEAKER_02 29:38

How about you, Miss Mary? What are you looking forward to?

SPEAKER_04 29:42

I think I'm looking forward to the avenues I get to take as progressing through this year, because technically I am a junior. I graduate next spring, and you know, from the get-go, I wanted to be an English professor and just being able to see myself get closer to that goal, getting to grad school, getting to the end point, I feel like I'm just looking forward for that. I'm looking forward to now go on handshake and see what jobs, what internships I can probably get. I worked more hours last semester. I had to cut back, but definitely being able to now know those avenues and know that it's accessible to me, I'm looking forward to that.

SPEAKER_02 30:18

Well, you will have to calculate if you can handle making not quite as much money. But honestly, I, you know, running the risk of failing or you know, you don't want to get a reputation, by the way, as a person who's a slacker doesn't think they have to come to class. And a lot of times really smart honors kids kind of get that reputation, you know. Oh, they think they're so smart, they can pass everything with not even showing up. And showing up is 90% of the job in college a lot of times.

Advice For Freshmen And Listener Q&A

SPEAKER_02 30:46

So Ashley, what are we forgetting about? Maybe advice.

SPEAKER_04 30:49

Like what advice would you give to somebody who's maybe a rising freshman who's going into the sophomore year. And I feel like this is like a common piece of advice I give, but it's like kind of know and be gentle with yourself that like there are gonna be times where it's like, oh, I have to skip, like I cannot get up or I overslept my alarm, you know? And hearing, you know, advice from you, Dr. Ross, that hey, skipping class is gonna make your reputation look bad. Don't do it, don't be a slacker. But just knowing, like, hey, sometimes this stuff happens, you can spring back. I feel like that'd be my biggest advice to just know that it's gonna be rough, it's gonna be a lot different from freshman year, and there's more experiences to learn within the sophomore year.

SPEAKER_02 31:31

Dominic, you got some advice for the rising freshman.

SPEAKER_00 31:35

I would definitely tell them like the experience between freshman and sophomore year is completely different. I would tell them because, you know, after freshman year, like I'm kind of like you hinted at earlier, like I really thought I had this whole college thing figured out. I was like, oh, this is easy, I know exactly what I'm doing, you know, this is gonna be nothing. Well, suddenly everything comes around. You know, I have a little bit more of a social life, so maybe it was falls on me, but maybe I didn't prioritize school as much. But I would say like the classes, they get harder. This is typically where, depending on the programs, you know, like I said earlier, and quote unquote weed out classes, where they will try their hardest to get you, you know, out of certain professions because you know, that's just what the classes are designed to do. They are designed to quote unquote get rid of the people who aren't qualified to be there. And, you know, it's ultimately it's a hard thing to do, but if you just, you know, remember like why you're here and focus on your academics, like you will be just fine and you will have a great time and you'll have a better social life. But just know that you don't have it all figured out yet. You may think you do, but you really don't.

SPEAKER_02 32:45

Yeah, wait till you're 21, wait till you're 25, wait till you're 35.

SPEAKER_00 32:51

Oh, yeah. Like I was reflecting on it. I was like, this all just happened because at the time Michaela was my teacher, and she just sent me an email, and I was like, as a scared freshman, I was like, I've been told to say yes to every opportunity, so I'll I'll see what this is about.

SPEAKER_04 33:06

Yes, yes, definitely. I feel that. Yeah. I mean, I was in Dr. Ross's class. It was my first college class, and it was like, oh, like any any young students just to come here and be able to see, like, I get to actually timestamp and see my progression is like so cool.

SPEAKER_02 33:20

Yeah, well, you'll listen to yourself back when you're 25 and you go, boy, did I sound fill in the blank. In the meantime, keep on being your wonderful, smart, thoughtful, kind, open-minded selves. I really am glad I know you both.

SPEAKER_00 33:35

Thank you.

SPEAKER_03 33:36

And we wanted to take a minute to thank our listeners as well. If you have any questions about what the sophomore year experience is like, if you have any specific questions you want to give to Dominic and Mary, we can direct those to them. You can always leave a comment under our YouTube video or email us at adrquestions at gmail.com.