Sophomores

After successfully completing your first year, this sophomore year is one of the most important in your academic career. There are many important decisions that require your earnest consideration and thought. Please prepare to discuss these topics with your Faculty Advisor or Academic Advisor.

As a sophomore, you will deepen your connections to faculty and hone in on questions and problems to explore more deeply. You will continue and complete the process of discovery that leads to selecting a major.

Attend Major Declaration Session

The Majors Declaration Session will bring all of your options together in one place, and you may seek information from a number of resources along the way. By the end of April in the freshmen year you will declare a major and celebrate this important academic milestone of your undergraduate career. In sophomore year, you have a chance to re-consider your major and have an option to switch your major.

Choose a Major

Choosing a major is an important milestone in your undergraduate career, so before deciding you should give yourself enough time to learn about major offerings and consider how different majors complement your strengths, interests and plans for the future. Major Declaration Session will be helpful for you to decide what major you want to pursue. 

Do Course Selection

In your sophomore year, you will continue building the academic foundation you began your first year. By continuing to explore disciplines through coursework, and talking with your academic advisor, faculty advisor and peers you will continue to inform your thinking about major selection.

You have probably already taken introductory courses in disciplines of interest. You may have taken courses and might have a good sense of where your interests lie. If so, it's helpful to talk to the specialized advisors to learn more about the major and requirements.

If you are still unsure about your major, there's still time to explore options through coursework and conversations with members of your advising network. Discuss your interests with your advisor if you wish to pursue a new field, you will likely be able to figure out a way to make it work.

You can take course planning advisement by your academic advisor atleast 1 month prior to enrollment phases to decide appropriate courses you need to select as per your desired major.

Some sources of information:

• Your Academic Advisor
  With knowledge of your academic interests and course history, your academic advisor can be a good sounding board as you consider majors that appeal to you and evaluate which courses are helping you grow intellectually and become engaged in a discipline or subject area that could eventually become your major. Your academic advisor is knowledgeable about course requirements and can refer you to other resources that can help you understand specific requirements for major and/or minor. For more information, schedule an appointment with the academic advisor or faculty advisor by sending an email to ousa.sdsb@lums.edu.pk or visit the Office of Undergraduate Student Advising SDSB.

• Your Peers
  You can learn a great deal about majors from juniors and seniors, including the Peer Advisors. We encourage you to ask current majors about their experiences, particularly with respect to advising, faculty-mentored research and integrating their major course work with study abroad.

 

THE SOPHOMORE MILESTONES (31 - 60 credit hours)

To achieve success in your sophomore year, there are certain steps that need to be taken. Become familiar with your Sophomore Milestones in your academic journey.

The Sophomore Milestones chart your progress along the academic journey and help you focus on what matters most to successfully complete the Sophomore year and prepare for the challenges ahead. Each milestone you meet will bring you closer to achieving the sophomore milestones and ultimately your academic and career goals.

DEVELOP A NETWORK OF SUPPORTIVE PEERS, INSTRUCTORS & ADVISORS

People in your network can connect you to opportunities and provide you with strong recommendations.

Your next steps:

• Join student clubs and societies, form study groups, and attend campus events to develop a network of students who share your interests and goals.

• Build a mentoring relationship with instructor in the classes you enjoy the most; meet with them during office hours to explore topics and get advice.

• Develop a professional social media presence (LinkedIn). Ask specialized/career advisors how to meet professionals in different fields.
   

RESEARCH MAJORS & MINORS AND MAKE THE CHOICE THAT IS RIGHT FOR YOU

Understanding your options will help you make a choice that matches your interests and goals.

Your next steps:

• Make a list of majors, minors, and careers that you are interested in.

• Meet with an academic advisor to help narrow your choices.

• Research course requirements in student handbook.

• Meet with the faculty advisors for the major or minor you want to learn more about.

• Consult your Academic Advisor to develop your Sophomore Plan,

 

COMPLETE AN INTERNSHIP OR TAKE PART IN LEADERSHIP ACTIVITIES

Having this experience on your resume is essential to be competitive for a career position or graduate school.

Your next steps:

• Visit the Career Services Office to learn about internship opportunities.

• Explore leadership opportunities at LUMS (clubs & Societies).

 

LEARN MORE ABOUT COURSES WHICH WILL HELP YOU IN DECIDING YOUR MAJOR

Your next steps:

1. What courses have piqued your interest?

Consider those courses when deciding on a major if you have not already done so.
As a sophomore you'll want to have completed these or be in the process of checking them off your list!

Complete the Course Check List (completed or started):

• Principles of Management

• Calculus I

• Principles of Financial Accounting

• Principles of Finance

• Computer & Problem Solving

• Principles of Management Accounting

• Introduction to Management Sciences

• Business Process Modeling

• Corporate Financial Reporting

• Auditing

2. Explore different majors through the Core Requirements
Check out some of the intro to major courses that can also satisfy the major exploration.

For Accounting & Finance Major:

• Principles of Financial Accounting

• Principles of Finance

• Principles of Management Accounting

For Management Sciences Major:

• Principles of Management

• Introduction to Management Sciences

• Computer and Problem Solving
   

TAKE DECISION OF YOUR MAJOR

Your next steps:

Not sure what major you want to choose?

• Consider what may be affecting your decision.

• Don't discount your business core courses. Did you excel in a particular area? Did you thoroughly enjoy any course(s)?

• Consider what skills you are looking to develop and improve.
   

Fulfill major requirements

• Meet with your academic advisor.

• Before your appointment, take some time to review your major including requirements and course descriptions and write down any questions or concerns that you may have.
   

Review all of your major options and major requirements

• Check out the departments website, student handbook along with course outlines that your major falls under.

• Department has lots of helpful resources for students within the major and those considering a particular major.
   

CHOOSE FREE ELECTIVES

Your Next Steps:

Exploring Beyond Your Major Courses

• Are you satisfied with the current major?  If not, now is the time to select an area of study that you are genuinely excited about.

Get Excited About Your Electives

• This component of your degree hosts a multitude of options.

• Learn more about why your free electives are equally as important as your major requirements.