January 2023
Dear Parents and Families of Students in the Class of 2025:
Happy New Year! This new year marks the start of your student’s second semester in the sophomore year. The sophomore year is an exciting time for our students as you will or may have already seen your student grow personally and academically. You may find your student’s confidence in their studies continue to grow as they enroll in classes focused on their intended major. As students dive deeper into a field of study, classes will become more challenging. Successful students at Wesleyan are either already utilizing or soon plan to utilize our various academic resources. If your student has not yet mentioned these services, please encourage them to at least review the services we offer to proactively set themselves up for success this semester.
Sophomores declare their major anytime between the last day of drop/add (2/8) and the start of Fall 2023 course pre-registration (4/4). While there is no right or wrong choice, declaring a major is an important decision that demands careful thought and reflection; I encourage you to engage with your student about their considerations. You may want to suggest that your student schedule an appointment with the Gordon Career Center (GCC) to learn about how they can align their passion with a major that will set them up for success in a future career. If you sense that your student is struggling with major declaration, remind them that their faculty advisors and class dean can provide guidance. Additionally, our Major Declaration website provides links to all major departments and programs as well as a helpful set of FAQs.
There are several important dates and processes to consider in these next few months including Spring Break (3/11 - 3/26) and housing selection. It’s hard to believe that summer is just around the corner. The summer between sophomore and junior year can set the tone for the last two years of a student’s Wesleyan career. Whether students choose to participate in volunteer opportunities, explore internships or earn money for school, these months are a great time for students to participate in self-reflection in preparation for life beyond Wesleyan. If your student is unsure about how they want to spend their summer, encourage them to make an appt at the GCC or talk with faculty about potential research opportunities. Another option is the Wesleyan Summer Session which provides opportunities for students to round out their academic experience or explore the curriculum during a time less busy than the regular school year.
I will write to you again before the end of the semester. In the meantime, please feel free to call or write anytime with your questions or concerns.
Take care,
Kelly Dunn, EdD
Dean for the Class of 2025
T. (860) 685-2757 | kmdunn@wesleyan.edu
Class of 2025 Blog
Office of Student Affairs
North College
237 High Street
Middletown, CT 06459