University of Wisconsin-Madison sophomores fare better than most of their counterparts nationwide, with 94 percent choosing to return for their junior year.
The figure, published in the UW 2005-2006 Data Digest, stands in contrast to a study published in the September issue of The Chronicle of Higher Education that reported 88 percent of college sophomores choose to return for their junior year.
While freshman retention rates are more frequently reported on, sophomore retention is thought of as an important indicator as to how students handle the intensified coursework and increased pressure of choosing a potential career path.
Laurie Schreiner, co-editor of Visible Solutions for Invisible Students: Helping Sophomores Succeed, said students struggle with the idea that they're entering the "real world" at some point.
"For a lot of students, reality hits" during their second year, Schreiner said. "The assumption is that as they come back as sophomores, they're fine."
However, as they progress, undecided sophomores are faced with the decision to continue on with an unsure path or cut their losses and join the workforce earlier than they expected.
"They say, 'I can't justify paying this tuition if I don't know what I want to do with my life,'" Schreiner added. "So they don't and leave."
Traditionally, colleges and universities have created programs to help incoming freshman settle in to their new environment while second year students are left to rely on the less specific academic help and
guidance services offered for all students.
"Sophomores can fall through the cracks," said Steven Graunke, assessment research analyst at Ball State University and co-author of a College Student Journal article examining sophomore success.
"There are a lot of programs to get freshmen integrated," Graunke added. "At sophomore year, those programs aren't felt to be necessary, when in reality it's a year when students are transitioning from core curriculum classes and moving into their major — that's a critical transition."
While the "sophomore slump" affects many students, UW has evidently minimized the impact of harder courses and higher expectations.
"There are a lot of efforts put into helping our students succeed," said Jocelyn Milner, Director of Academic Planning and Analysis. "We have residential learning communities and First-Year Interest Groups (FIGs), as well as programs to help students transition into majors. A lot is going on in the academic community, and we have a really rich curriculum."
UW attempts to make these programs accessible by integrating them into student life. Academic help services are often held within the dorms, and professors are encouraged to make supplemental material available online.
The wide variety of majors makes changing career paths a viable option for most students.
"It's mostly the fact that sophomore year here is similar to freshman year," said UW sophomore Kyle Barthel. "You still are taking a lot of big intro classes, and since there are so many majors, almost every class counts towards something."
There are currently 145 majors offered at UW and the freshman retention rate is 93 percent.
