Second-Year Experience
As a second-year student at WMU, you already know your way around campus, and you’ve figured out your college routine. But research shows that your second year is unique and can feel like a big transition. Second-year students have a whole new set of stressors, and, unlike first-year students, they receive less guidance on the expectations of college life.
The Office of Student Transitions is here to help! We hope the resources here will allow you to make the most of your second year at Western and beyond.
Sophomore September!
Sophomore September is a month full of events and activities designed with second-year students in mind. Meet new people, reconnect with your academic college, try something new, and enjoy some free food and goodies along the way. Whether you’re feeling settled or still figuring things out, we’ve got something for you.
Events are hosted by your academic college and other campus departments throughout September. Some may require an RSVP, and new events may be added along the way, so check back throughout the whole month.
While these events are designed for second-year students, all WMU students are welcome to attend.
Please click the accordions below to explore events.
Autumn Ambitions
Hosted by the Office of Student Transitions, Second-Year Experience Program
Sept. 8 | noon-4 p.m. | Outside the WMU Student Center
Kick off Sophomore September with the Office of Student Transitions! Mix your own cider creation, grab a donut, and take a little time to think about what you want from your second year. Set a few goals, make a plan, or just come hang out and enjoy the start of fall. Drop-in Event - No RSVP needed.
Sisterhood Social
Hosted by Office of Student Engagement- Fraternity & Sorority Life
Sept. 8 | 6-9 p.m. | TBD
Learn more about WMU’s culturally based sororities by meeting members of National Pan-Hellenic Council, Multicultural Greek Council, and United Greek Council organizations and connecting with alumnae who are active in their communities. The evening includes an alumnae panel followed by a meet and greet where you can ask questions and get to know members of participating sororities. Drop-in Event - No RSVP needed.
Brotherhood Social
Hosted by Office of Student Engagement- Fraternity & Sorority Life
Sept. 9 | 6-9 p.m. | TBD
Learn more about WMU’s culturally based fraternities by meeting members of National Pan-Hellenic Council, Multicultural Greek Council, and United Greek Council organizations and connecting with alumni who are active in their communities. The evening includes an alumni panel followed by a meet and greet where you can ask questions and get to know members of participating fraternities. Drop-in Event - No RSVP needed.
LeadCorp Welcome Meeting
Hosted by the Office of Student Engagement
Sept. 11 | 2-3 p.m. | Student Organization Center, Student Center Building
Learn more about LeadCorp, WMU’s student leadership development program, and how you can build your leadership skills through hands-on experience. LeadCorp combines weekly leadership learning with opportunities to facilitate, lead, and create initiatives on campus. This meeting is a great place to learn more and see if LeadCorp is a good fit for you. Drop-in Event - No RSVP needed.
LEGO Leadership-Brick Stories
Hosted by Trio SSP
Sept. 14 | 3 - 4:30 p.m. | Sangren 1720
The LEGO: Brick Stories sessions are designed to engage with students interested in growing their empathy, leadership, and communication skills. Each session focuses on a different content area, the first being Values & Value Systems. In these sessions, we will focus on telling stories, exploring our own values, understanding the values of others, as well as building LEGO. Disclaimer: you DO NOT need to have ANY LEGO building experience at all, and in fact, the people that struggle the most in these session are typically the people that have the most LEGO experience. RSVP Required, only 12 seats per session
CEHD Welcome Back BBQ
Hosted by the College of Education and Human Development
Sept. 15 | 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Sangren Plaza
Please join the College of Education and Human Development as we celebrate the Fall 2026 Semester with our annual welcome-back BBQ! Enjoy a free lunch with CEHD faculty and staff as we welcome you back to campus. Drop-in Event - No RSVP needed. Full event info on ExperienceWMU.
Cookout at the CoA
Hosted by the College of Aviation
Sept. 17 | 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Aviation Education Center – Fire Pit
Come join faculty, staff, and the College of Aviation leadership team for the Cookout at the CoA! Grab a hot dog, bring a friend (or two), and relax by the firepit while enjoying a free lunch. This informal gathering is a great opportunity for second-year (and all) students to connect with the people who support their journey—building relationships with faculty, meeting fellow students, and strengthening ties within the aviation community. Whether you're looking to spark new connections or simply unwind between classes, this is your chance to feel even more at home in the College of Aviation. Drop-in Event - No RSVP needed.
Business Bash
Hosted by the Haworth College of Business, Zhang Career Center
Sept. 17 | 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. | Schneider Hall Courtyard
Come and join us for some fun and meet our business registered student organizations, academic departments and programs, and Premier Partners of the Zhang Career Center. The college will be providing Jimmy John's and there will be plenty of games, snacks, prizes and fun!
Take this moment to learn about the business RSOs and programs that you can join during your time at WMU Haworth. Our Premier Partners will be attending, giving you the chance to chat casually about internships and full-time opportunities, and the advising office and career center will be there to answer questions and discuss upcoming programs!
This event is not SPuRS approved so there is no need to swipe, come and go as you please!
Drop-in Event - No RSVP needed. Full event details on ExperienceWMU.
Spilling the Tea with Librarians: Boba Tea Social & Career Conversation
Hosted by University Libraries
Sept. 22 | 12 - 1:30 pm | Waldo Library
Join us for a boba tea social to hear the real story behind our careers. Spoiler alert: almost none of us had it planned out in were in college. Grab some tea and chat about the classes that mattered more than expected, surprise detours and moments when our paths changed. Your major is just the starting point, so let’s chat! Drop-in Event - No RSVP needed.
Puzzle and Play with Pizza and Ping Pong
Hosted by College of Engineering and Applied Sciences
Sept. 22 | 1 - 4 p.m. | Floyd Hall, E-121
Come hang out, grab some pizza, and challenge your friends to a game of ping pong or puzzles. Play competitively or just come to have fun and meet other students.Think you’ve got what it takes to win the ping pong tournament? Tournament starts at 2 p.m.! Pizza provided while supplies last. Drop in anytime. No RSVP needed.
Major Insights – Fall 2026
Hosted by Haworth College of Business, Zhang Career Center
Sept. 22 | 3 - 5 p.m. | Schneider, Room 3150
Major Insights is geared to first year and transfer students who are undecided on their chosen business major. The program consists of three, 90-minute, hands-on sessions on consecutive Tuesday afternoons. The goal is to provide information that can help you build confidence in selecting your major.
Completion of all 3 sessions earns 2 foundational level SPuRS credits -- 1 personal and interpersonal and 1 professional insight. You must attend all 3 sessions to earn these SPuRS credits.
Session 1: Values and skills assessment activities | Sept 22 | 3-5 p.m.
Session 2: Work interests and personality activities | Sept 29 | 3-5 p.m.
Session 3: Exploring majors, occupations, and making decisions | Oct 6 | 3-5 p.m.
Full event info on ExperienceWMU. Seats are limited - RSVP today!
September Sweets with Sophomores!
Hosted by College of Arts and Sciences
Sept. 24 | 10:15 a.m. - 4 p.m. | Dunbar Hall Lobby
Come grab a sweet treat, hang out with faculty and staff, and help decide who has the best baking skills in the College of Arts and Sciences! You’ll also get to design a sticker for college swag and vote for your favorite design. Stop by for a few minutes or stay awhile! There will be plenty of sweets, conversation, and chances to show off your creativity. Drop-in Event - No RSVP needed.
Silent Disco
Hosted by Health Promotion and Education
Sept. 24 | 6 - 8 p.m. | Student Center
Come take a break and enjoy some music at Silent Disco! Choose from multiple music channels, dance, hang out with friends, and de-stress with other students. No dancing experience required. Drop-in Event - No RSVP needed.
Meet the MAS Navigation Specialists
Hosted by Multicultural Affairs for Students
Sept. 25 | 10 a.m. - noon | Student Center Gathering Stairs
Stop by, say hello, and meet the Multicultural Affairs for Students (MAS) Navigation Specialists! Grab an affirmation, pick up some tips for navigating the semester, and chat with the team about your college experience. Whether you have a question, need a resource, or just want to connect, come say hi. Drop-in Event - No RSVP needed.
Rappelling W/ROTC
Hosted by Military Science and Leadership
Sept. 25 | 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. | ROTC Rappel Tower next to Zhang Legacy Center
Explore a unique experience while learning more about military service after graduation, how to apply for 100% tuition paid 2-year scholarships, and the difference between full-time and part-time service options. At this event you will be able to conduct three rappels while interacting with current ROTC cadets and cadre. (Event is weather dependent) No RSVP needed.
Reset and Plant Something New
Hosted by Office for Sustainability
Sept. 29 | 2 - 3 p.m. | Office for Sustainability: 2529 W Michigan Ave-Main Room
Turn empty patches of grass into blooming wildflower spots! Come hang out with our team, reset your week, get your hands dirty, and learn how native plants help out our pollinator friends. You will mix up your own batch of seed bombs to take home. Students will be able to debrief with the following questions in mind: What’s one 'seed' (skill or habit) you want to plant this semester? What environment do you need to actually thrive here? Drop-in Event - No RSVP needed.
Month-by-Month Roadmap
Get Involved
One of the most important parts of a successful undergraduate experience takes place outside of the classroom. Joining a registered student organization is a great way for students to find a community at WMU. If you’re already involved in an RSO, your second year is the perfect time to consider leadership opportunities that will help to build your resume.
- Check out WMU Wellness Playbook to discover all the opportunities WMU has for you and how getting involved can make your college experience even better!
Visit Experience WMU Events to learn about registered student organizations and events taking place on campus every day.
Exploring Study Abroad
A study abroad experience is one of the most transformative opportunities available to you as an undergraduate at WMU. Whether you want to spend a full semester abroad on your own or two weeks with a faculty member and a class of fellow Western students, there’s a program for you here. While studying a foreign language is always encouraged, this is not a requirement for a study abroad experience! Ready to start exploring?
- Schedule a time to attend an Information Session.
- Explore and apply to programs – Broncos Abroad
Declaring a major
If you haven’t decided on a major yet, you’re likely feeling the pressure. Or maybe you thought you knew what you wanted to study but now you’re considering other possibilities.
- Visit Exploratory Advising for tips on how to get started.
- Still having trouble? Navigating the future can be overwhelming! Consider booking a career advising appointment.
Plan for the spring semester
- Be sure to meet with your academic advisor before spring class registration begins.
- Review your Degree Works Plan on your own and with your advisor, and make changes as needed.
Important Dates
- Class Registration – Registration for spring classes begins in October. Be sure to check your priority registration date.
- The FAFSA federal application for the 2026-27 academic year will be available Oct. 1 and covers the academic year from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027. More information is available at wmich.edu/finaid/apply and at studentaid.gov.
Stay on top of projects and papers
Thanksgiving break is a great time to rest, restore, and connect with family and friends. If you plan ahead, you won’t have to spend your entire break doing homework!
Finals will be here before you know it. If you’re struggling in a class, ask for help! WMU has multiple offices that provide academic support for students in every major.
- Bronco Study Zone
- Learning Assistant Program
- Peer Academic Success Coaching
- Supplemental Instruction Program
- Writing Center
Financial Aid and Scholarships
- Scholarships aren’t just for first-year students! Many WMU students benefit from scholarships offered through academic departments and programs. And, through generous support from donors, WMU has over 50 endowed scholarships available to students.
- Access WMU’s ScholarshipUniverse to apply for WMU scholarships as well as many external scholarships. Applications open Dec. 1 and are due as early as Feb. 15.
Stressed about final exams?
- Take some time to check in with the free digital tools: YOU at Western and Welltrack. If you need additional support, we encourage you to consider the offerings at Counseling Services.
- Waldo Library, Sindecuse Health Center, and various student organizations offer events and activities designed to destress during finals and throughout the rest of the year.
Get to know your faculty
Talk to your professors after class or visit them during their office hours. Introduce yourself. Talk about your major or what you like about the class. Ask them about the research they’ve done. Ask them for help or for opportunities to get involved in things they’re doing on campus. Professors are an invaluable resource for you. They’re also human and they enjoy college students. That’s why they’re here!
Attend Western Warm-Up Week
Kick off the spring semester by joining Western Warm-Up Week (January 26–30)! This is your chance to explore campus, connect with faculty and staff, and discover the programs, resources, and opportunities available to second-year and transfer students. Stop by events in your academic college or other departments, ask questions, and get a head start on making the most of your semester.
Consider applying for a job with the Office of Student Transitions
OST hires over 200 student employees for various positions every year. As Orientation Student Leaders, Peer2Peer Mentors, FYE Co-Instructors, and Fall Welcome Ambassadors, these students are dedicated to creating an open and welcoming campus community for its various student populations.
Check out Student Leadership Opportunities to learn more about various positions and look for applications on Handshake in January or February.
Career Fairs
It’s the season of career fairs and time to think about internships! Even for second-year students, job and internship fairs are important. These events are a good way to get an experience lined up for the summer and build connections with potential employers who are looking for college students of all levels and majors.
Money Management
Financial literacy Is essential, and college is a great time to learn about your personal finances. Whether you’re looking to finance your costs of college or just learn how to eat smart on a budget, the Sanford Center for Financial Planning and Wellness has something for you. Attend a workshop or speaker event or schedule some time with a peer financial coach to help you with budgeting, debt management, saving, credit cards, student loans, or comparing job offers.
Class Registration
It’s hard to believe but it’s time to think about fall classes. Make sure you meet with your academic advisor again this semester to be sure you stay on track and find your priority registration date and time online.
You’re halfway through your college career
Take a moment to celebrate this huge accomplishment, but don’t forget to finish the year strong! Summer is coming and the weather is getting warmer. Plan ahead so that you can enjoy this time on campus while continuing your academic success.
Explore Kalamazoo
You know WMU’s campus well so now’s a great time to get to know the surrounding city. With art hops, festivals, great restaurants, and nightlife, and plenty of parks and trails, there’s something for everyone. Visit Discover Kalamazoo to read about some favorite events and activities.