The nervousness, excitement and energy of freshman year has worn off and you haven’t yet declared a major. Should you keep going? What’s keeping you in school?

It’s an all-too-common experience of sophomores at the University of Utah, and it’s why Sophomore Rise was created four years ago.

“Sophomore year is tough,” said Amy Bergerson, associate dean, Undergraduate Studies and director, Office of Student Success and Empowerment. “We want to remind sophomores that we’re so glad they came back to the U for their second year and we want to assist those who haven’t found their sense of purpose quite yet. We have so many amazing people and resources to support them in getting engaged, thinking about what matters to them and what they might want to do.”

And the pandemic hasn’t changed that. In fact, in many ways, going virtual has allowed the Sophomore Rise team to do even more.

“We haven’t done our in-person sophomore appreciate events yet, which includes the celebration of sophomore students through performing our pinning ceremony, but we are adding some virtual events this spring semester which is new for us,” said Erin Sine, associate director, Office of Orientation & Transition.

The first new event will be the Sophomore Rise Virtual Fair: Zoom-ing into Success. On Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021, from 12-2 p.m., sophomores at the U are invited to hear from people across campus who can help them think about their next steps as they move into their third year and  enhancing their university experience by finding an internship, taking advantage of research opportunities or learning abroad.

“We’re really grateful to all our campus partners who are coming together to help sophomores discover how they can use their second year as a launchpad for their academic and professional careers,” said Sine.

Sophomores will have a chance to meet with:

• Learning Abroad
• Hinckley Institute of Politics
• Student Success Advocates
• Office of Undergraduate Research
• Career and Professional Development Center

“Even though we’re not on campus together and this is a virtual event, we really want sophomores to know we’re still reachable and here for them,” said Sine. “We are available to help them persist, find their purpose and provide opportunities for them to make the most of their collegiate experience.”

Register for the Sophomore Rise Virtual Fair: Zoom-ing into Success here and save the date for the Sophomore Rise End of Semester Hurrah on April 21, 2021.