Skip to main content

Sophomore-Year Checklist

This list is a guide to help you navigate your sophomore year at Saint Louis University. These are suggestions to help you throughout your year, but should not be seen as an all-encompassing list or a required checklist. It is your responsibility use it in a way that fits best into your personal and academic goals. It's your experience. Make the most of it.

SLU students in the Academic Technology Commons

Students collaborate in Pius Library's Academic Technology Commons. 

Academics

  • Identify your major or strengthen your commitment to the major you’ve already chosen.
  • Consider enhancing your academic program with a minor.
  • Meet with your academic advisor and/or faculty mentor to discuss your core curriculum and develop an academic plan.
  • Use Banner Self-Service to run a Degree Evaluation.
  • Consider studying abroad; if already have made the decision to study abroad, discuss your plans with your academic adviser.
  • Use tutoring and writing resources in the Student Success Center that can assist you with your academic plan.
  • Connect with classmates; discuss forming study groups and exchange contact information.
  • Begin researching graduate and professional school requirements, as applicable.
  • Research scholarship opportunities for graduate or professional school.
  • If applicable, renew your FAFSA.

Community and Involvement

  • Participate in Fall Welcome — it isn't just for freshmen! 
  • Participate in on-campus events and activities and show your Billiken pride at SLU athletic events.
  • Take time to do something new at SLU. Connect with others who have different interests or backgrounds. Attend an event that you haven’t participated in before.
  • Pursue one organization that supports your major or future career and one organization that interests you personally.
  • Reflect upon and develop your leadership skills. Consider how to refine your campus involvement in ways that support your interests or goals on a deeper level.
  • Consider your service opportunities for the year; be involved as much as your schedule allows.
  • Consider participating in a campus ministry retreat or mission trip.
  • Develop deeper relationships with faculty and staff members.
  • Start preparing for where you will live for your junior year, and arrange roommates.

Career Preparation

  • Make an appointment with a career counselor to discuss your planned career and experiential education opportunities.
  • Consider ways to learn more about and connect to your prospective career field with activities such as informational interviews, job shadowing, research opportunities, service learning or internships.
  • Create or update your résumé and post it to Handshake to have it critiqued by a career counselor.
  • Use Handshake to review on-campus employment opportunities, research careers, connect with a career mentor in the mentor database, and view potential internship and on-campus recruiting opportunities.
  • Attend the SLU career fairs to begin networking with employers.
  • Set up summer internship or summer job.

Personal Growth

  • Participate in multicultural dialogues and events. Visit the Cross Cultural Center for Global Citizenship to learn more.
  • Reflect on your values and passion. What is your calling and purpose?
  • Reflect on who you are and who you want to be. What is your motivation?
  • Look into practices and routines that can assist you with balance in your life. What are your priorities?
  • Take time to consider who your role models are in your life. Why are they your role models?
  • Look ahead to the Junior-Year Experience Checklist to see what you can complete or prepare for over the summer.