    |
Sophomore Slump
Since 1956 the Sophomore Slump has been defined in multiple ways:
- Doubts in lifestyle choices
- Dissatisfaction in relationships
- Confusion regarding the future
- Reduced motivation
- Increased apathy
Chickering's seven vectors of college student development (originally published in Education and Identity in 1969) provide an efficient framework for understanding the Sophomore Slump.
Chickering's seven vectors of college student development are listed below (the starred items are related to the Sophomore Slump):
- Developing competence *
- Managing emotions
- Developing autonomy *
- Establishing identity *
- Freeing interpersonal relationships
- Developing purpose *
- Developing integrity
Developing Competence
First year students complete this vector by simply entering college, breaking away from home and succeeding academically. However, these standards do not apply for sophomore students. Sophomore year students who fail to receive recognition via superior academic performance, athletic prowess or involvement in student organizations can often times be left feeling ineffective and dissatisfied.
Developing Autonomy
The process of developing autonomy involves two distinct areas: emotional independence and instrumental independence. Emotional independence refers to no longer needing or desiring continual reassurances or approval. Sophomore students who are not far along in the process of developing emotional independence will often times allow parental approval/disapproval to directly impact their decision to choose a certain major or select a specific career path. Instrumental independence refers to the ability to cope and care for oneself. In short, for students' whose education is primarily funded by their parents, sophomore year typically includes a realization of guilt due to financial sacrifices made by their parents. This realization along with a generalized dissatisfaction with college may lead a sophomore student to withdraw from school completely or transfer to a less expensive school. At the very least, this realization can often lead a sophomore student to the previous dilemma of choosing a major / career based on personal interest vs. parental approval.
Establishing Identity
While identity formation is a life long process - it is undeniably a central developmental issue facing college students. College students in general are continually searching for a sense of personal identity. Sophomore students are still in a position where they rely upon peer groups to define themselves.
Developing Purpose
This is best described by Chickering, "Many young adults are all dressed up and don't know where to go; they have the energy but no direction." Basically, the sophomore slump student is experiencing confusion regarding major selection and career choice or, if these decisions have already been made, they are experiencing doubt in those choices.
The above information was gathered from the following journal article:
Lemons, L. Jay and Richmond, Douglass R. "A Developmental Perspective of Sophomore Slump." NASPA Journal , vol. 21, no. 3, winter 1987.
