Shona McAndrew

mcandrew


Graduation Year: 2012

Major(s): Psychology and Studio Art

What activities did you do during your sophomore year?

Sophomore year was a great year for me, as it was the year I got to know Brandeis University the best. Freshmen year I was still testing the waters, checking out a bunch of majors, figuring out what I liked, and having a lot of fun at the same time. Sophomore year, the year you have to declare a major, I was much more serious both in class and out. So when I chose activities, I chose activities that were more relevant to me. I volunteered a few hours a week at Lemberg Children Center, I took part of the Drawing Club, the Psychology Club and I was a painter for the Liquid Latex.

How did you navigate decision-making during your sophomore year?

I think that the best way to navigate decision-making is to ask for help. If it is from a friend who has already been through sophomore year, a Roosevelt Fellow, an Academic Advisor or a Professor, as long as you are not alone, you are making the right decision. I talked to my friend who was also a double major in Psychology and Studio Art and to my Professors. I felt that these people knew me the best, and would be better at understanding what I was going through.

What campus resources did you utilize during your sophomore year?  

Despite being a great year, sophomore year was also very stressful year. I was living in Grad, very far from all my friends in East, taking hard classes and making big decisions, so the Counseling center was the obvious resource for me. Brandeis has an amazing counseling center, and an incredible staff. It was a really good decision for me to go talk to someone, and help me work through my stress, and figure out want I wanted.

What advice would you give other sophomores?

You know how people say time flies? Well, time starts flying that much faster when you hit sophomore year.  Soon you will be half-way through
college, soon you will declare your major, soon you will have to think of what you are doing after you graduate etc. So many "soons".

Thanks to all those soons, my biggest advice is to enjoy every second of sophomore year. Take advantage of all the amazing opportunities offered here, the clubs, activities, resources, people, classes and Professors. The list is never ending. Take classes that you have always wanted to take and never dared to, talk to people who look really interesting, but you always shied from, go up to your professor and introduce yourself so he knows that you are there. Do it all, and most of all, enjoy it while it's happening!