Sophomore Rising: Online Program

Sophomore Rising is a free, self-paced bCourse designed for 3rd or 4th semester students. The self-paced course guides you through essential activities to plan, build, explore, and track your goals and interests here at Cal and beyond. 

If you're ready to take the next step in your academic, career, and personal goals, register now for Sophomore Rising.

In this course you will:

  • Identify the next steps in your major decision-making process

  • Take action to explore future career and graduate school plans

  • Connect with relevant campus resources

  • Assess your progress toward graduation and create a semester-by-semester plan

When

At a time that works for you! Materials are available asynchronously. 

The bCourse ran live alongside Summer Session C, and since it’s not unit-bearing, you do not need to enroll through bCourses. It’s free! 

Commitment

Hours: Each module takes about an hour reviewing asynchronous materials. You can choose to do only the modules that you need.

Workload: Unsure if you can finish? While we hope you will complete the materials, there are no negative consequences for not completing the program. You will have access to all the materials.

Goal: This bCourse is not graded or unit-bearing. Instead, Sophomore Rising is a unique opportunity to get guided support for planning for your remaining time at Cal. This course will help you design an undergraduate experience that will be memorable, supportive, and lead to taking that big next step after you have earned your B.A.

Cost

It’s free.

Sign Up!

Sign up today for access to the bCourse and to receive monthly sophomore tips between now the course's start date. 

Still have questions?

Have questions about Sophomore Rising? Contact asklns@berkeley.edu

Illustration of the Campanile with a rising sun and the words Sophomore Rising

FAQ

I'm unsure if I can finish the materials. Can I still sign up?

While we hope you will complete the materials, there are NO negative consequences for not completing the program. You will have access to all the materials and can always review them at a later time. 

Is this mandatory for all sophomores?

This bCourse is HIGHLY recommended for sophomores because of the value it can have on your undergraduate experience, but it's not mandatory.

Does this cost money?

No! This is a free resource for UC Berkeley L&S students. 

What if I'm only available some of the weeks?

Participate at your own pace! If you're participating during summer, a module will be released each week, and you can catch up. If you're participating after summer, you can review all the materials at your convenience. 

What if I'm not a sophomore, can I still join? 

While it's specifically targeted at students rising into their 3rd or 4th term, we're happy to consider adding other students in their 2nd term and above. Please sign up.

Will I still have access to materials after summer?

Yes, if you enroll in the course, you can still access your materials after summer in your bCourses history. 

How is this different from GBA?

The scope for Sophomore Rising is much wider. In GBA you learned how to create your first semester schedule and enroll in courses.  In Sophomore Rising, you'll be guided to decide and declare your major(s) and/or minor, utilize relevant campus resources, take next steps in your career, and create a semester-by-semester plan to degree.