Last updated December 15, 2025

In this article

• You have another chance to explore your options
• It might be harder to return to college
• You’re more familiar with your college campus and culture
• Received bad grades or fell behind in your first year? You can make up for it!
• What you can do to persevere to your second year

While your first year of college can be an exciting and welcoming time, it also can be a tough adjustment, which has the potential to affect your grades, social life, and mental health. These challenges can lead you to think about taking a gap year or dropping out of college altogether. If this describes you, you’re not alone. Of the undergraduate students who withdraw from college, 30% of those students withdraw in the summer between their freshman and sophomore years.

Making it to your second year in college is critical to achieving your academic and professional goals. Research consistently shows that college graduates have higher earning potential, lower unemployment rates, and greater job security than those without a degree. However, staying on track in college can be challenging, with many obstacles that can make it difficult to succeed. From financial barriers and academic struggles to feeling like you don’t belong, it’s common for students to feel overwhelmed and consider withdrawing. Despite these challenges, making it to your second year is possible with persistence and the right support. Here’s what it means to persist from your first year of college to your second year, and what you can do now to prepare for it!

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You have another chance to explore your options

Because your first and second years of college are dedicated to completing your general education courses, you have room to experiment and find new interests. This can include things like taking classes outside of your comfort zone, learning about majors that interest you, and joining groups or clubs you’re curious about. Many students spend their first two years of college adjusting to being at a new school; making new friends, trying new things, and learning new perspectives. This time is a great opportunity to learn more about yourself, define your goals, and think about what career path you want to pursue in the future. Don’t stress if you feel you didn’t accomplish enough during your first year; with time, you’ll be able to narrow down your interests and goals, declare or change your major, and pursue an area of study you’re interested in!

It might be harder to return to college

Even if you intend to re-enroll after withdrawing from college, it can be difficult to come back. Once students leave college, they can become comfortable quickly with their new job, familial obligations, or routines that can make it more challenging to re-enroll in school. Make sure you are taking this into consideration as you weigh your options.

You’re more familiar with your college campus and culture

Whether you live on campus or commute from home, you’ve taken the time in your first year to experience what it’s like to be a college student. After your first year, you most likely know what the best study and food spots on campus are, how to attend office hours, where to buy textbooks, and how to get around campus. Familiarizing yourself with your campus and college norms in your first year means you know what to expect in your second year, allowing you to spend more time focusing on what you want to study, making friends, and enjoying your surroundings.

Received bad grades or fell behind in your first year? You can make up for it!

If you fell behind in your first year or didn’t receive the grades you hoped for this term, don’t be hard on yourself! Since your first and second years are focused on general education courses, you have a chance to retake classes and improve your GPA. During your first year, you also might have picked up study strategies along the way, which you can apply in your second year.

What you can do to persevere to your second year

Meet with your academic advisor

Meet with your academic advisor regularly (at least once per term) to discuss or establish your academic plan for the year, register for classes, get the support you need, and determine if you’re on track to graduate.

Keep tabs on your financial aid

Some students withdraw from college after their first year because they realize they didn’t receive enough financial aid. Make sure you familiarize yourself with FAFSA renewal deadlines, talk to a financial aid advisor about your options, and know where to find scholarships if you need extra funds.

Find ways to engage outside of the classroom

Research and apply for internships, jobs, and work-study and study abroad opportunities. This can give you something to look forward to in your second year!

Get familiar with on-campus resources

All colleges have many free and low-cost resources available to their students, allowing them to take care of their mental and physical health (the student health center, counseling center, and gyms), receive academic help (the learning center) and make new friends (clubs, groups, and intramural sports). Be sure to utilize all the free resources available to you!

Surround yourself with community

When you’re connected to your campus community, you’re less likely to drop out of college. Whether it’s through finding a club that fits your interests, joining a study group, or participating in a team sport, being in community with others can give you a sense of belonging. 

While there are many reasons to make it to your second year of college, we acknowledge that the decision you make is personal! Before taking action, we strongly encourage you to talk with a trusted educator or parent/guardian to help you determine what’s best for your situation. 

Do you have any questions about college? We’re here to help! Connect with a Get Schooled Advisor.

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Last updated June 18, 2026

In this article

• Talk to your academic advisor
• Do your research
• Consider your major
• Be aware of GPA requirements
• Apply
• Apply for financial aid and scholarships
• Compare financial aid offer letters
• Make connections
• A note for students transferring between four-year colleges and universities

Transferring colleges is a common experience for many students. Some start their journey at a community college to tackle their required general education courses and receive their associate degree. After that, they may decide to transfer to a four-year college or university to receive their bachelor’s degree. 

Other students may have started at a four-year college or university, but decided for one reason or another that transferring to another college would be more beneficial for them.

While there are many reasons a student may transfer colleges, knowing what steps to take is key. Use these tips to help you transfer seamlessly!

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Talk to your academic advisor

Meet with your academic advisor to discuss your plan to transfer. They can walk you through your college’s steps for transferring, ensure you are taking the right classes to transfer, and support you as you gather the required information to apply to your new college(s).

Do your research

Take time to research colleges that interest you and add them to your list. Be sure to review and collect all the information they have specifically for transfer students. Use our college application requirements tracker to stay organized!

It can be helpful to also search for transfer (also known as articulation) agreements between your college and the college(s) you’re applying to. Articulation agreements are partnerships between colleges that are designed to make it easier for students, and their credits, to transfer. You will want to be able to transfer all of your credits between schools to help you avoid repeating classes, which can be a waste of time and money.

If you’re transferring from a community college, be sure to also research if your college has a Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA) with local four-year colleges and universities. DTAs are specific types of articulation agreements between community colleges and four-year colleges and universities that guarantee students the ability to transfer from one to another with junior standing. 

It’s also important to consider a college’s non-academic factors, such as their student life, extracurricular activities, the ways it responds to social and political events, and what steps it takes to ensure a welcoming environment for all students. In-person and virtual visits can help you get a feel for these factors, and can bring you closer to making a decision about where to apply.  

Once you have a sense of the application and transfer process, create a plan to ensure you don’t miss any key deadlines. Transferring to another college, especially if you plan to transfer into a specific major, can be a competitive process–so having a plan and being prepared is important.

Consider your major

Your major can play a role in where you decide to apply or attend. Be sure to research whether the schools on your list offer your desired major, and how competitive it can be to be accepted to that major. Some colleges, especially larger ones, may have a limit on how many students per year are accepted into a particular major. Take this into consideration when deciding where to apply, especially if you are certain what you want to major in. 

If you want to know more about a major offered at a college on your list, you can likely email them to request more information or to chat with an advisor. 

Be aware of GPA requirements

Some colleges, and even specific majors within those colleges, have minimum GPA requirements for transfer students. In more competitive programs, simply meeting the minimum GPA may not be enough, as schools often consider applicants holistically and compare them against other candidates. Because of this, it’s important to aim for strong grades and understand the expectations early on. Be sure to check the admissions pages of the colleges you’re interested in or speak with an academic advisor to make sure you’re on track and remain a competitive applicant.

Apply

Once you’ve done your research and have gathered everything you need to apply, it’s time to send off your application(s)! Your academic advisor can support you through this process.

Apply for financial aid and scholarships 

Different colleges have different tuition and fees. This difference is especially apparent between community colleges and four-year colleges and universities (which are commonly significantly more expensive per year). Regardless of which type of college you’re transferring to, it’s important to be proactive about applying for financial aid to lower the cost of tuition and fees. This includes things like:

• Completing the FAFSA or state-based financial aid forms for the following academic year. Don’t forget to list the colleges you intend to apply to on your application! 
• Applying for as many scholarships as you can.

Compare financial aid offer letters

The schools you’re accepted to will send you financial aid offer letters with a breakdown of their aid offers for the next academic year. We recommend using Scholarships360’s free Financial Aid Award Letter Comparison Tool to compare your offer letters and make an informed decision about where to attend!

Make connections

Once you decide where to attend, be sure to stay connected to your new school and participate in programming specifically for transfer students, like new and transfer student orientation. By engaging in these types of experiences, you will learn about on-campus resources and make new connections–both of which will help you transition seamlessly into your new college environment!

A note for students transferring between four-year colleges and universities

There are many reasons you may be considering transferring. If you are certain about what you want to study at your college, you may be able to re-apply for your major the following academic year or term. If you are open to choosing a different yet similar major, you may find that it’s worth it to stay at your school. If you are absolutely certain that you want to pursue a specific major, and transferring makes the most sense for your academic and career goals long-term, be sure to weigh all the pros and cons carefully, and talk to your academic advisor about your options and next steps. 

We’re here to help you along your transfer journey! If you have any questions, connect with a Get Schooled Advisor.

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Last updated December 15, 2025

In this article

• Apply for financial aid
• Check in with your academic advisor
• Connect with your campus community
• Check out mental health resources available on and off-campus

As you return from break to start your second term of college, now is a good time to reflect on your experience during your first term. While it may have been fun and exciting, it’s normal if you also struggled with your grades, experienced culture shock, or even felt homesick. The outcome of your first term doesn’t have to define the rest of your college experience! In this article, we’ll share tips to help you thrive in your second term of college. 

Apply for financial aid

Studies show that one of the top reasons that students drop out of college is due to financial concerns. With the cost of tuition rising nationally, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the various forms of financial aid that can help you pay for college. If you haven’t already, be sure to complete the FAFSA to increase your chance of receiving aid for the current academic year, or renew it to increase your chance of receiving aid for the following academic year. If you’re unable to complete the FAFSA, your state may have its own aid application. 

Additionally, we recommend applying for as many scholarships as you’re eligible for, since they can reduce college costs. If you are eligible to receive federal financial aid, we also recommend learning more about your federal loan options.

If you have any questions or are unsure about how to start applying for financial aid, speak to an advisor in your school’s financial aid office. 

Check in with your academic advisor

At the start of each term, it can be helpful to check in with your academic advisor. They can help you review your class schedule for the term and make any adjustments as needed, talk through anything related to your major or minor, connect you to campus resources, and so much more! 

Connect with your campus community

Whether you’re living in a dorm or commuting, spending time on campus outside of your classes can help you connect with other students. Find your community through extracurriculars, study groups, cultural clubs, on-campus events, or intramural sports.

Check out mental health resources available on and off-campus

While it’s very normal to feel overwhelmed or stressed in college, it’s easy to find yourself alone and isolated in these feelings. Taking care of your mental health is essential, so it’s important to identify your stressors and find healthy ways to cope with them. Your college may offer free or low-cost mental health services or may be able to connect you to resources in your area or virtually. 

Do you have any questions about thriving during your second term of college? Connect with a Get Schooled Advisor.

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Last updated September 16, 2025

In this article

• Start and end your day with meditation
• Ask yourself these questions every day
• Keep a journal
• Practice a calming hobby

It’s important to remember that the time you spend on and with yourself is valuable and essential to your overall well-being. This could be as simple as finding ways to mentally check in with yourself every day. If you’re not sure how to get that one-on-one connection with yourself on a daily basis, consider these helpful tips to practice regular self-care. 

Start and end your day with meditation

A simple two- to five-minute meditation will improve your mind, body and spirit. Meditation helps reduce anxiety and stress, improve concentration, increase focus, balance your emotions, and has several proven health benefits like lowering blood pressure, reducing pain, strengthening your immune system, and improving self-esteem. 

Ask yourself these questions every day

1. What is my purpose today? Think about what drives you and what ignites your passion. What makes you feel focused, valuable and impactful? Take a few minutes to think about your goals and adjust your path accordingly to reach them.
2. What am I grateful for today? Sometimes we get so caught up in what’s not happening or what’s not going right that we don’t take the time to acknowledge what is. When we recognize the aspects of our lives that are good and add value, we’re less likely to take them for granted.
3. What did I do for myself? It’s easy to neglect ourselves. Sometimes we develop the mindset that taking care of ourselves means we’re being selfish or not getting things done. But in reality, self-care actually helps you make progress faster because it helps you avoid burnout and reduces stress to handle day-to-day activities.

Keep a journal

Journaling is a practice that can help us reflect, focus, set goals, find clarity, and release stress. You could do as little as one line a day or multiple pages. The point is to tap into how you’re feeling and provide a cathartic outlet. If you’re not one for writing, keeping a sketchbook, audio log or using an app will also do the trick.

Practice a calming hobby

A hobby can be a great way to relieve stress and focus your mind. It can serve as a creative outlet, be meditative, and/or something fun that you do for yourself. 

Do you have any self-care tips we should add to this list? Connect with a Get Schooled Advisor.

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