Sophomore (pron.: /ˈsɒfmɔr/) is a term particularly used in US English to describe a student in the second year of study at high school or university.[1][2] The word is also used as a synonym for "second", for the second album or EP released by a musician or group, the second movie of a director, or the second season of a professional athlete.[3]
Etymology[]
The term comes from Greek σόφισμα (sophisma), “acquired skill, clever device, method”[4] The term sophomore is probably a compound of the Greek σοφός (sophos), "wise" + μωρός (moros), "foolish, dull".[5][6][7]
Education in the US[]
High school[]
The 10th grade is the second year of a student's high school period and is referred to as sophomore year. High school sophomores are expected to begin preparing for the college application process, including increasing and focusing their extracurricular activities.[8] Students at this level are also considered to be developing greater ability for abstract thinking.[9]
College[]
In the U.S., college sophomores are advised to begin thinking about career options and to get involved in volunteering or social organizations on or near campus.[10]
Usage in other countries[]
In some other countries, such as the Philippines, sophomore is also widely used specifically in high schools. It is also used in Saudi Arabia in English-based universities and colleges.
See also[]
 |
Look up sophomore in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. |
- Freshman
- Junior (education)
- Second season syndrome
- Second system effect
- Senior (education)
- Sophomore slump
- Sophomore surge
- Sophomore's dream
- Sophomoric humor
References[]
- ↑ "Concise Oxford English Dictionary". Oxford University Press. http://www.askoxford.com/concise_oed/sophomore?view=uk.
- ↑ "Sophomore (1)". Merriam–Webster. http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sophomore%5B1%5D.
- ↑ "Sophomore (2)". Merriam–Webster. http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sophomore%5B2%5D.
- ↑ σόφισμα, Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon, on Perseus
- ↑ μωρός, Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon, on Perseus
- ↑ Online Etymology Dictionary
- ↑ Merriam-Webster
- ↑ Sophomore Year: Time to Narrow Down Your Extracurricular Activities
- ↑ Strauss, Valerie (2006-02-07). "Sophomore Year: Between Lark and a Hard Place". Education section (The Washington Post). http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/06/AR2006020601581.html. Retrieved 2009-05-26.
- ↑ "Sophomore Year: Get Involved". A year by year guide. Yale University. http://www.yale.edu/visvi/students/year_guide/sophomore.html. Retrieved 2009-05-26.