3 answers
adam
Student
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Question
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What should I do before college to prepare for a career in psychology ?
Are there specific courses I should take as a senior? Any other necessary steps for succeeding in the future?
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3 answers
Dina Siegel
Psychologist
33
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Dina’s Answer
If you get the chance, I highly recommend taking AP psychology. This course provides a broad overview of many different topics within psychology, ranging from neuroanatomy to clinical psychology. Once you get a taste of each topic, you may find one or more that spark an interest in you.
In addition to taking an official psychology course, you can learn a lot from an AP psychology review book. There are also many videos, podcasts, and social media accounts that introduce helpful, applicable content from psychology.
Here are a few that I recommend:
-Very Bad Therapy Podcast https://www.verybadtherapy.com/
- @amoderntherapist https://www.instagram.com/amoderntherapist/
-The Psych Show - here's a video for high school students who want to learn psychology https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7GrmvEpTGs
Keep up your passion for psychology!
Link to a recommended AP psychology book: https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/princeton-review-ap-psychology-premium-prep-2022-5-practice-tests--complete-content-review--strategies--techniques_the-princeton-review/27225366/item/53557328/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=pmax_high_vol_scarce_under_%2410&utm_adgroup=&utm_term=&utm_content=&gclid=Cj0KCQjwoeemBhCfARIsADR2QCtot2t8vf4RkBs_lKOFEgur2f1G12ymSRGBx9ozdpsvnnvq82wKxYsaAp1jEALw_wcB#idiq=53557328&edition=58500909
In addition to taking an official psychology course, you can learn a lot from an AP psychology review book. There are also many videos, podcasts, and social media accounts that introduce helpful, applicable content from psychology.
Here are a few that I recommend:
-Very Bad Therapy Podcast https://www.verybadtherapy.com/
- @amoderntherapist https://www.instagram.com/amoderntherapist/
-The Psych Show - here's a video for high school students who want to learn psychology https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7GrmvEpTGs
Keep up your passion for psychology!
Dina recommends the following next steps:
Michelle M.
Entertainment Industry
1879
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Adam !
You have an interest in a very important career ! Being a senior, I am not sure if you've already started or have time enough to register for a psychology course or sociology course in high school. Also, I would pay attention to English or any writing course because you will be doing a lot of writing in college as well as a psychologist.
If you've already begun school and have all your classes situated already, I would suggest visiting a Library and checking out some books on psychology. A good idea would be to start out with any college psychology textbooks, preferably ones that are introduction to psychology. This will give you a general overview as to what your first psychology class will be like in college and the index would give you a glimpse of separate courses you could take in college.
I would also suggest that you seek opportunities to volunteer in a hospital behavioral health unit or a community based counseling center, senior center, independent living agency, homeless shelter. Some type of volunteer work where you'd get an idea of populations and that the organization will approve of you interacting with the clients. Anything you do now and while in college will benefit you. If by any chance there is a psychology club of some kind at your high school, participate in that.
I hope this has help and wish you all the best in school and your future studies.
You have an interest in a very important career ! Being a senior, I am not sure if you've already started or have time enough to register for a psychology course or sociology course in high school. Also, I would pay attention to English or any writing course because you will be doing a lot of writing in college as well as a psychologist.
If you've already begun school and have all your classes situated already, I would suggest visiting a Library and checking out some books on psychology. A good idea would be to start out with any college psychology textbooks, preferably ones that are introduction to psychology. This will give you a general overview as to what your first psychology class will be like in college and the index would give you a glimpse of separate courses you could take in college.
I would also suggest that you seek opportunities to volunteer in a hospital behavioral health unit or a community based counseling center, senior center, independent living agency, homeless shelter. Some type of volunteer work where you'd get an idea of populations and that the organization will approve of you interacting with the clients. Anything you do now and while in college will benefit you. If by any chance there is a psychology club of some kind at your high school, participate in that.
I hope this has help and wish you all the best in school and your future studies.
Alan Weber
writer and retired teacher, teacher educator and academic advisor
207
Answers
Woodstock, New York
Updated
Alan’s Answer
Hey, Adam. I'm not sure there's anything you have to do per se, but the obvious first thing would be to take a high school class, if available, in psychology, along, probably, with biology, sociology, human/child development or anything that your high school might offer that pertains to the human condition. I also think that people going into the field of psychology should themselves get some psychotherapy, to understand the process better, to address whatever issues they themselves might have, and perhaps to understand what might be drawing them to the field. And, of course, there's also reading on your own. I highly recommend Erik Erikson, Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers. A great place to start would be to watch the video "Everybody Rides the Carousel," available on YouTube. It's very old, and probably a bit outdated, but it's touching, inspiring and funny. It will also make you a better parent and person. I taught child psychology and I absolutely loved it.