Fortify your freshman experience and keep the momentum going into your second year
with these events and helpful information, designed just for sophomores.
Check in with an upperclassman or professional staff member on how your second year
is going and make a plan for the future!
Schedule a one-on-one appointment with an upperclassman or professional staff member
to check in on how your second year is going and make a plan for the future.
Navigating your second year can be overwhelming. That's why the Student Success Center
has created a checklist to help you stay successful in your second year– in all aspects of college, not just academics.
Work on developing your own goals for within and beyond the classroom experiences
in the sophomore year! You can complete this action plan on your own or during a SophoMORE
Success Consultation.
We are happy to provide a guide with important reminders and tips for success in your
second year. Follow the Roadmap »
SophoMORE Programming
This month-long program is dedicated to helping second-year students adjust to their
second year at the university and feel welcomed and connected. SophoMORE September
will consist of more than 35 events that are designed for second-year students at
USC but are open to all USC students.
Sophomore students can get a SophoMORE September punch card at nearly every SophoMORE
September event that is hosted by the Carolina Experience or pick one up at the Carolina
Experience office! Complete the punch card to win prizes! Go to 10 events and win
a free t-shirt! Go to 13 events and win another great prize, such as a prize pack
or a gift card to a local restaurant!
Don't worry if you lose your punch card! You can always get another one from the Carolina
Experience office and the team can check your name on an attendance roster for MOST
events. You'll fill out an attendance form at all in-person or virtual workshops.
ID card scanners will be used at most outside events!
Completed punch cards must be turned into the Carolina Experience office by October 11, 2024 to claim prizes.
Participate in a 1-on-1 SSC Service or Carolina Experience Service
Anytime from August 27-September 30
Participate in the Out to Lunch program, have a SophoMORE Success Consultation, a
Money Management Consultation, attend a 1-on-1 tutoring session, or have a general
SSC Success Consultation with the Student Success Center or Carolina Experience office!
To make an appointment visit go.sc.edu/sophomoresuccess
Thursday, August 22
Get to Know the Library with Pelicans on the Patio
2:00pm-3:00pm
Patio in front of Thomas Cooper Library
Have it made in the shade! Discover some of the services and resources the library
offers—and enjoy a cool, delicious, refreshing Pelican’s SnoBall in the shade on the
Thomas Cooper Library Patio! Hosted by University Libraries
Second Year Success Workshop
3:00pm-4:00pm
SSC Conference Room, Thomas Cooper Library
Want to avoid the dreaded sophomore slump? We've got the plan for that! Join us for
this entertaining workshop about steps you can take to thrive in your second year
at Carolina! You'll walk away with your own personal sophomore action plan! Hosted
by the Carolina Experience. Three workshops on this topic are planned, please plan
to only attend one.
Thinking about a part-time in your second year of college? There are tons of opportunities
both on and off campus and the Part Time Job Fair can help you learn about your options!
Hosted by the Career Center
FREE FOOD, fun, carnival games, music, and resources to help kick-off your second
year! This is YOUR official welcome back event! Rain Date: Sept 12. Hosted by the
Carolina Experience. Get your Sophomore September punch card at the SophoMORE Success
table on Greene Street.
Tuesday, August 27
Commuter Success: Parking and Commuting Workshop
5:30pm-6:30pm
Online Workshop
Living off campus? Trying to figure out where to park and how to get to campus everyday?
We may not have all the answers, but we do have some tips for making a plan on how
to navigate campus! Hosted by the Carolina Experience office. This event is also part
of Transfer Welcome.
Scholar’s Corner. Main floor of the Thomas Cooper Library
Science shows that writing things down- goals, notes, your schedule- helps you remember
and achieve. Bring your own planner or get a free one in this interactive session and learn how to make best use of a planner and other
writing tools! We’ll have all sorts of creative tools to help you! Hosted by the Carolina
Experience office and the Student Success Center. This event is also part of Transfer
Welcome.
The Carolina Experience Peer Leaders are here to help sophomore students transition
into their second year at USC. Stop by and meet some of them and make a button! Hosted
by the Carolina Experience.
Tuesday, September 3
Don't Be Scared: Getting to Know Your Professors Workshop
6:00pm -7:00pm
Online Workshop
Approaching faculty can sometimes be intimidating for students. But developing professional
relationships with professors can help students learn about research or internship
opportunities, lead to mentorship, career advice, and potential references. This workshop
will share tips on how to approach professors and resources at USC to help develop
these faculty-student relationships. Hosted by the Carolina Experience
Map out your vision for the 24-25 academic year! Stop by and make your personalized
vision board! This event is hosted by Student Health and Well-Being.
Thursday, September 5
12:00pm-2:30pm
Greene St
Cool Down in this Columbia heat with a free sno cone! Chat with Carolina Experience
staff about services and how to connect in your second year. Hosted by the Carolina
Experience. Rain Date: Sept 12.
Saturday, September 7
Service Saturday
8:30am-12:30pm
Locations Vary
Volunteer with fellow Gamecocks in the Columbia community. A great opportunity to
meet other sophomores and give back to the community! Hosted by the Leadership and
Service Center. RSVP required:
Did you know it is an election year? Are you able to vote? Do you know how? This workshop
will give an overview of what you need to know about voting during local, state, and
federal elections. The presenters will cover what civic engagement means, how to register
to vote, terms one could encounter during the voting process, in person vs. mail in
voting, outlining a polling plan and more!
Want to avoid the dreaded sophomore slump? We've got the plan for that! Join us for
this entertaining workshop about steps you can take to thrive in your second year
at Carolina! You'll walk away with your own personal sophomore action plan! Hosted
by Carolina Experience. Three workshops on this topic are planned, please plan to
only attend one.
Stop by the SophoMORE September table at the Farmer’s Market to get some great resources
for your 2nd year! Look for the Carolina Experience's SophoMORE September table! Hosted
by Healthy Campus Initiatives.
Career and Internship Fair: Health Professions
12:00pm-4:00pm
Carolina Coliseum
Students and employers meet to talk about career, internship and co-op possibilities.
Now is the time to start planning for your future internship experience. This fair
is targeted at STEM majors. Hosted by the Career Center. Register via Handshake to attend.
Money Smarts for your SophoMORE Year
5:30pm-6:30pm
Online workshop
Have your expenses increased this year? Living off campus, cooking more? Join us for
this helpful workshop about how to budget and make money smart decisions in your second
year at USC. Hosted by the Student Success Center and the Carolina Experience Office.
Internships can be a really important and valuable part of the college experience.
How do you get one? Join us to hear from experts in the Career Center about the internship
process. RSVP to get the meeting link. This event is also part of Transfer Welcome.
Hosted by the Career Center and the Carolina Experience.
Exploring Graduation with Leadership Distinction Workshop
5:30pm-6:30pm
Russell House 203
Sophomore year is the perfect time to connect with opportunities related to your academic,
personal, and professional goals. Engaging in meaningful experiences can help you
build a robust My USC Experience transcript and earn Graduation with Leadership Distinction.
Join the CIEL team to learn more about exploring opportunities, pursuing GLD, grant
opportunities, and making the most of your sophomore year and beyond! Hosted by the
Center for Integrative and Experiential Learning and the Carolina Experience.
Living off campus? Concerned about how to manage the commute, stay safe, get along
with your neighbors and more? Hear from staff and upperclassmen on how to thrive while
living off campus! Hosted by the Carolina Experience and the Leadership and Service
Center. RSVP to reserve your spot! This event is also part of Transfer Welcome.
Meet with representatives from various travel providers and learn about how you can
study, intern and volunteer around the globe! Stop by the Carolia Experience table
for your SophoMORE September punch card! Hosted by the Education Abroad Office.
National Voter Registration Day
11:00am-3:00pm
Greene Street
Are you registered to vote? Voting is one of the most important things you can do
as a US Citizen and this fall is a great time to register if you are eligible. Stop
by the Voter Registration table hosted by the Leadership and Service Center on 9/17
to learn more and get your SophoMORE September punch card stamped!
Career and Internship Fair: STEM Field
12:00pm-4:00pm
Carolina Coliseum
Students and employers meet to talk about career, internship and co-op possibilities.
Now is the time to start planning for your future internship experience. This fair
is targeted at STEM majors. Hosted by the Career Center. Students and employers meet
to talk about career, internship and co-op possibilities. Now is the time to start
planning for your future internship experience. This fair is targeted at STEM majors.
Hosted by the Career Center. Register via Handshake to attend.
Constitution Day
Time TBA
Location TBA
Every year USC celebrates the ratification of the US Constitution! Join in with the
Leadership and Service Center and other campus partners for an informative discussion!
More details TBA.
Wednesday, September 18
SophoMORE Tie-Dye Party
12:00pm-4:00pm
Davis Field II
Bring your own t-shirt or grab one of the 200 FREE sophomore shirts available and
learn to tie-dye while hanging out with other sophomore students. Tie-Dye is from
12-4 or until we run out of shirts and dye. Hosted by the Carolina Experience team
as part of SophoMORE September. Open to ALL USC students. Rain date is September 30.
Get more information at go.sc.edu/sophomoresuccess
Career and Internship Fair: STEM Field
12:00pm-4:00pm
Carolina Coliseum
Students and employers meet to talk about career, internship and co-op possibilities.
Now is the time to start planning for your future internship experience. This fair
is targeted at STEM majors. Hosted by the Career Center. Register via Handshake to attend.
How to Change Your Major Worksho
5:00pm-6:00pm
Online workshop
Thinking about changing your major? Not sure what is involved or where to start? The
University Advising Center will go over all your options in this informative workshop!
Hosted by the University Advising Center and the Carolina Experience.
Exploring the Office of Pre-Professional Advising Workshop
4:00pm-5:00pm
Online workshop
Are you thinking you want to go on to more school after you finish your undergraduate
degree? Could medical school, law school, grad school, etc. be in your future? Did
you know there was an office on campus available to help you plan and think about
these things? There ARE things you can be doing now to help prepare for these options
down the road. Join us for this informative workshop led by the experts in the Office
of Pre-Professional Advising (OPPA). Hosted by the Carolina Experience AND Office
of Pre-Professional Advising.
This workshop aims to help students understand what apps exist for students to organize,
manage their time, study, and also manage their money, budgets, and debt. Join us
to learn how technology can help make these tasks easier! Hosted by the Student Success
Center and the Carolina Experience. This event is also part of Transfer Welcome.
College is stressful– how do you manage your stress? Experts from the Mental Health
Initiative team in Campus Wellness will guide us through the types of stress you can
experience and new strategies on how to cope. Hosted by Healthy Campus Initiatives.
Bring your artistic skills and decorate a coffee mug and chat with other sophomore
students. Mug is yours to keep, good artistic skills not required. Hosted by the Carolina
Experience team as part of SophoMORE September. A part of SophoMORE September but
open to all students. Rain date is September 30.
You applied for a great internship and were given an interview offer! How do you ace
the interview? Join us to hear from experts in the Career Center about the internship
process. Hosted by the Career Center and the Carolina Experience.
Study Smart: Study Skills and Academic Success Tips Workshop
5:30pm- 6:30pm
Online Workshop
Need help preparing for classes and sharpening your study skills as we return to campus
after a summer off? Join us for this session full of tips and advice for a successful
academic semester. RSVP to secure your spot. Hosted by the Student Success Center
and the Carolina Experience.
Join us for a Mutual Expectations Discussion on exploring the topic “Experiential
Learning at Carolina” in our September session. This discussion will explore what
participants think about how to intentionally find the bridge between academic studies
and activities beyond the classroom. What exactly is experiential learning and what
can it look like for you? How can a faculty member help you find these connections?
Join this fun discussion with fellow students and faculty! FREE Lunch is included!Hosted by the Carolina Experience, Center for Teaching Excellence, and Center for
Integrative and Experiential Learning.
Learning to cook and meal prep is a pretty common learning curve for student in their
second year. Join us for this hands-on cooking lesson about how to prep meals for
your week! Hosted by the Carolina Experience and Health Campus Initiatives. Space is limited to the first 20 sophomores!
Volunteer with fellow Gamecocks in the Columbia community. A great opportunity to
meet other sophomores and give back to the community! Hosted by the Leadership and
Service Center.
Want to avoid the dreaded sophomore slump? We've got the plan for that! Join us for
this entertaining workshop about steps you can take to thrive in your second year
at Carolina! You'll walk away with your own personal sophomore action plan! Hosted
by the Carolina Experience. Three workshops on this topic are planned, please plan
to only attend one.
Build a practical study plan for your midterm exams by exploring personal study strategies
and practicing how to break exam materials down into smaller study units. Hosted by
the Student Success Center and the Carolina Experience.
A series of events designed to help teach sophomore students skills that will help
them in life outside the four walls of the classroom - skills every adult needs to
succeed! Raffle prizes will be drawn at the end of each session.
Wednesday, January 24 @ 6 PM Virtual (RSVP for link)
What are the tips and tricks to stretch your student dollars? How do you pick a bank?
What exactly is a money order? How do you keep track of your spending? What apps can
help? We will cover some basics on personal finance in this workshop! This free event
is hosted by the Student Success Center.
*Please note that meeting link may not be sent if you register less than 2 hours before
the event
Monday, January 29 @ 6 PM Virtual (RSVP for link)
What is a credit score? How does a credit card tie into that? Should I have a credit
card right now? Can that help or hurt my credit score? We’ll cover what you need to
know about credit in this workshop! RSVP to get the meeting link! This free event
is hosted by the Student Success Center.
*Please note that meeting link may not be sent if you register less than 2 hours before
the event.
Thursday, February 8 @ 5:30 PM Virtual (RSVP for link)
Hear from the experts in the Career Center on how to land the perfect summer internship!
The time to start the search is NOW. RSVP to get the meeting link! This free event
is hosted by the Student Success Center with content expertise provided by the Career
Center.
*Please note that meeting link may not be sent if you register less than 2 hours before
the event.
Wednesday, February 21 @ 6 PM Virtual (RSVP for link)
Hear from USC alumni about what their transition from college to work was and what
advice they have for USC students now that they have graduated. You will have the
opportunity ask questions of the participants! RSVP to get the meeting link! This
free event is hosted by the Student Success Center.
*Please note that meeting link may not be sent if you register less than 2 hours before
the event.
Thursday, March 21 @ 5 PM Center for Student Health and Wellbeing Demonstration Kitchen
Learning to cook and meal prep is a pretty common learning curve for students in their
second year. Join us for this hands-on cooking lesson about how to prep meals for
your week! Space is limited to the first 20 sophomores, so make sure to RSVP early! You cannot
attend unless you have gotten a confirmation that you are on the RSVP list. This free event is hosted by the Student Success Center with content expertise provided
by Healthy Campus Initiatives.
Event has reached capacity. Please email satsi@mailbox.sc.edu and request to be added
to wait list.
Wednesday, March 27 @ 4:00 PM Scholars Corner in Thomas Cooper Library (Main floor, on the left, by the staircase)
Do you know how to sew the basics- like a button or a hem? Or how to sew on a patch?
You'll likely need to know how to do it at some point. Come learn how in this hands-on
workshop. This is a FREE event. Event has reached capacity. This free event is hosted by the Student Success Center.
Thursday, April 9 @ 5:30 PM SSC Conference Room, Mezzanine Level, Thomas Cooper Library
How long is that takeout in your fridge good for? You are supposed to change your
sheets how often? How do you get a red stain out of a white shirt? We are talking
basic home maintenance and cleaning in this workshop. RSVP so we know you are joining
us in the SSC! This free event is hosted by the Student Success Center.
Join in for a hands-on self -defense workshop with experts from USCPD. This is a FREE
event. Registration is required and space is limited. This free event is hosted by the Student Success Center with content expertise provided
by USCPD.
Thursday, April 11, 2024 from 12 PM - 3 PM Greene Street
This annual event celebrates the huge milestone reached when sophomores are halfway
done with their college career. At this point, you have four semesters down and four
semesters to go.
The first 200 students to stop by will get a FREE 2026 garnet and black graduation tassel!
Rain Date: TBD
Students in their second year at USC are welcome to join us for this FREE weekend
retreat in the mountains! Come reflect on where you've been, where you are now, and
where you want to go in the remaining years of college and beyond!
Transportation, lodging, and meals will be provided by the Student Success Center.
Students who are accepted to the program and agree to attend, but fail to participate
will be charged a cancellation/no-show fee.
The SophoMORE Summit has been canceled. Please check this webpage periodically as
we will provide updates about this event in the future.
Support in the SophoMORE Year
It is never too early to gain career related work experience. Finding a part-time
job or internship can be quite a challenge. Visit the Career Center or Pre-Professional Advising for more information on how to find these opportunities and prep for an internship
or job search.
Did you know that some academic units even have an internship coordinator? Check with
your academic advisor to see if your college or school has one and set up an appointment
to chat.
During sophomore year, many students are deciding on an official major or changing
their major. There are many resources to help.
Career Center – This office has many assessments and staff available to help you determine your
area of interest.
University Advising Center – Home to Major Change Advising, advisers here can help you figure out which courses
will align between majors if you are switching between colleges or schools at the
university.
We want to see you succeed at the University of South Carolina — inside and outside
of the classroom. The university has developed a number of resources to help students
succeed academically. As a second-year student, you may be familiar with many of these
already.
The Student Success Center – Your one-stop-shop for academic support on campus, we offer many services, including
supplemental instruction, peer tutoring, peer writing and communications, success
consultations and financial literacy consultations.
Even though many sophomore students move off campus or dive into other activities,
it is very important to still be connected to campus. The University of South Carolina
offers many opportunities for students to actively participate both on campus and
in the community.
Graduation with Leaderships Distinction Center for Integrative and Experiential Learning (CIEL) helps you get the most out of your Carolina education, from finding experiences to
engage in, to reflecting on what that experience has meant to you. The Graduation
with Leadership Distinction program is a formal distinction that honors the broader
scope of achievements for students engaged within and beyond the classroom.
Undergraduate Research The Office of Undergraduate Research can help students find many opportunities to engage in undergraduate research with
a focus on faculty-student mentorship.
Service-Learning and Volunteer Opportunities Service-Learning integrates meaningful community service with academic coursework.
Check out the listing of courses available from the Leadership and Service Center.
The Leadership and Service Center provides an abundance of information on ways you
can be involved in the university community and the city of Columbia.
Joining a student service organization brings together like-minded students on a mission
to serve those in need.
Domestic Study Away and Study Abroad Participating in Domestic Study Away, such as the National Student Exchange or international Study Abroad, is a great
way to broaden your horizons and have the experience of a lifetime.
Peer Leadership Peer Leadership is a wonderful way to give back to your fellow students, serve in
a leadership role, and gain transferable skills for the real world. There are nearly
60 peer leader groups on campus, from tutors to recruitment counselors.
The My USC Experience Database has a complete list of beyond the classroom experiences. Filter to "leadership" in
the type of activity for best results.
Many students move into off-campus apartment complexes during the second year at Carolina!
Off-Campus Student Services can help students find the places that best fits their needs, provide tips and advice
on being a good neighbor, and help you figure out your rights as a tenant.
Make an appointment in the Student Success Center to meet with a Money Management Peer Financial Consultant to learn how to make a
monthly budget and pay your bills on time!
Healthy Campus Initiatives can help you learn how to prepare meals, grocery shop, and find healthy ways to distress!
The SophoMORE Initiative is committed to:
Helping sophomore students feel connected and welcomed at USC
Making sophomore students aware of the resources available to them
Supporting sophomores in their pursuit of academic success, including developing positive
relationships with their academic advisor and faculty
Boosting awareness of health and wellness resources with sophomore students
Assisting sophomore students in finding meaning and purpose through their major and
career explorations
Supporting and celebrating sophomore progress toward degree completion in four years
Encouraging sophomore students to engage in high-impact practices through the Center
for Integrative and Experiential Learning (CIEL) and explore the option of Graduation
with Leadership Distinction
Helping faculty and staff understand the sophomore student population and how to best
assist them