Sophomore Success

The Sophomore Success Program at Cal Poly is designed to provide resources that assist students in their academic planning and academic achievement. Defining academic goals, exposure to senior project opportunities, and creating a map of coursework for future quarters are all areas in which Sophomores will receive assistance. Sophomore students living on campus will benefit from events and services that support and expand upon their academic experience at Cal Poly. The structure of the program addresses three areas that are deemed important for second-year student success: Academic Planning, Community Awareness and Involvement, and Autonomy. The staff in our Sophomore community also strive to promote and support students in creating a mature and responsible living environment.

Program goals

The Goals and Learning Outcomes for the Sophomore Success Program were intentionally designed to promote the academic and personal success of students living and participating in the program.

Goal 1: To provide students with the skills and knowledge to create and/or renew their academic and career goals. (Academic Planning)

Goal 2: To prepare students to become integrated members of the campus and local communities. (Community).

Goal 3: To engage students in the process of becoming effective self-advocates and autonomous adults with the ability to affect change in their lives. (Autonomy)

Academic Planning

• Describe a developed relationship with an academic advisor or career advisor.
• Describe a developed relationship with a faculty member. Identify three academic skills learned by working with a faculty member, academic advisor or career advisor.
• Describe a long-term academic plan to facilitate the successful and timely completion of degree requirements.
• Identify three factors that are critical to academic success. Describe how to effectively seek out and participate in group study sessions.
• Identify the process involved in changing academic major if applicable to the student.
• Describe three ways academic focus will support their career plans.
• Identify three career benefits of acquiring summer jobs, internships, research opportunities, and/or Co-ops related to academic field.
• Identify three resources for acquiring summer jobs, internships, research opportunities, and/or Co-Ops related to academic field.
• Identify two resources available to support career and/or advanced degree goals.
• Describe how the resources at the Academic Skills Center and Career Services may be utilized together to support academic and career goals.

Community

• Name at least ten residents in other apartments within the community.
• Name two University staff (non-University Housing Staff) or faculty members the student would go to for assistance.
• Recall an experience or event in which the student took an active role within their living community.
• Describe three skills the student has developed in order to make a transition to living off campus more successful.
• Identify at least one recreational activity per quarter, on campus, or in the San Luis Obispo community, in which the student has participated.
• Identify three ways the student has supported the Community Service Partner associated with their living community.
• Describe how the student has benefited from engaging in or experiencing a multicultural-themed program.
• Describe three skills necessary in developing a positive, healthy, living relationship with roommates in an apartment setting.
• Name three aspects of being a respectful member of a residential community.

Autonomy

• Describe the student’s involvement in a student organization and describe how their involvement supports their personal, academic, and or career goals.
• Identify one way the student has advocated for themselves at Cal Poly.
• Articulate an experience that shaped who the student is as a person and that has made them think about their value system.
• Describe, in general, the student’s plans for a senior project.
• Identify two faculty members the student would seek out for references and/or letters of recommendation.
• Explain the purposes of Community Council, Inter-Housing Council and Associated Students, Incorporated.
• Identify three leadership skills the student has developed since their first year in college.
• Identify an experience where the student was able to initiate change that positively affected their academic progress.
• Name one way the student has benefited personally or academically by their second-year experience at Cal Poly.