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Enrollment Management and Services 
Parents and Families Services

The Second-Year Initiative

Creating a community for engaging and supporting parents and families of second-year students at NC State.

The Second-Year Initiative, launched in 2021, aims to connect and inform parents and families of Second-Year students at NC State.

We know the second year comes with its own list of challenges and experiences, some of which are expected and others, not so much. Oftentimes, students and parents feel ill-equipped to navigate the second year because the information shared out is much less than that for our First-Year population. The problem with this is that each year is a different experience for students and families. For this reason, we have designed the Second-Year Initiative as a way to inform parents about the Second-Year experience so that they understand the resources that are often most pertinent to these students particularly and feel better prepared to offer the support their student(s) may need as they journey through their second year at State.

From changing majors to the “Sophomore Slump,” new relationships and self-exploration, second-year college students have a vast array of opportunities, experiences and even setbacks, that will help propel and prepare them for their future selves.

The 2024-2025 Second-Year Program for families will include a quarterly webinar in partnership with the Division of Academic and Student Affairs (DASA) to highlight the four second-year pillars. Join us as we tackle trending topics and pain points of the Second-Year experience. Meet other Second-Year parents and learn of the resources offered by NC State to support your students on their path to success.

Please mark the following dates on your calendars and register here to participate. 

  • Session 1: IN PERSON Fri., Sept. 27 from 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. ET (Parents and Families Weekend)
  • Session 2: Virtual: Thurs., Nov. 7 from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. ET
  • Session 3: Virtual: Thurs., Jan. 30 from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. ET
  • Session 4: IN PERSON during Spring Fling Weekend Dates are TBD

Whether you attend one or attend all four, you are invited to participate in any capacity that your schedule allows. Zoom links will be provided to all who register. 

Second-Year students can get a jumpstart on the year or check their progress for tasks and reminders via this Second-Year Checklist; a month-by-month guide to help students stay on task.

For questions, please email the Parents’ Helpline at ncstateparents@ncsu.edu or call (919) 515.2441.