8 answers
Brandie
Student
Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania
1
Question
Asked
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What is one piece of advise for me as a Psychology major that will help me succeed in my degree?
I am a first generation student and even though I've been to my advising appointment and know my requirements, I want additional advice from other Psychology majors.
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8 answers
Samira Hasnain
Content Writer | Aspiring Clinical Psychologist
16
Answers
Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
Updated
Samira’s Answer
Two very simple pieces of advice that I wish were given more often:
1. Read, Read, Read! (research papers, academic literature, books, blogs, articles, stories.)
2. Go to therapy yourself. It's not only life-changing but incredibly helpful and transformative for your learning as a psychology undergrad.
1. Read, Read, Read! (research papers, academic literature, books, blogs, articles, stories.)
2. Go to therapy yourself. It's not only life-changing but incredibly helpful and transformative for your learning as a psychology undergrad.
Annah Edmonds
Licensed Clinical Counselor and Art Therapist
105
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Annah’s Answer
Brandie,
I am responding as a clinical psychotherapist who studied fine arts in undergrad. I then took pre-requisite psychology courses prior to applying to my graduate program in counseling. For anyone studying psychology the most important aspect to understand is that while you are learning about human behavior, you will also be taking a deep look at yourself. As an undergraduate you may not be tasked with this as much as you will if you pursue graduate education. In an MA or PhD or PsyD program, you will be expected to look inward and reflect upon your own life experience. It is crucial to work through any issues or concerns that could impact the way you work with a patient. I suggest you begin thinking about how you want to use the knowledge you are gaining. What has compelled you to study psychology? Where do you envision yourself working in the future? Some professional roles are more person centered than others. Your experience as a first-generation student may influence you to start a peer support group or join an already established group. Being a first-generation student, you may have stressors that are unique- perhaps greater pressure to succeed, perhaps distinct cultural, spiritual, or familial influences or beliefs. You can build awareness about how such factors may impact your learning and perspective. If you have never been in counseling as a client, I encourage you to try it. Most schools have an on-campus counseling center. While not required at the undergraduate level, many graduate psychology programs expect students to complete a certain number of hours in therapy. If you have a sense about what you want to do in life, pursue a volunteer position or entry level position doing hands-on work. Find a mentor in the field who inspires you. Ask to have an informational interview with someone doing the kind of work you might want to do someday. Seek the support you need to succeed; support can look like many things- connecting with other first-gen students, finding a spiritual or religious 'home,' seeking mental health support, getting academic tutoring, etc. If all this seems overwhelming, it was meant to get you thinking about your options. You are only human after all; take what sounds useful and leave the rest. College is as much about becoming an adult as it is about academic achievement. I discovered a website that might be interesting (firstgen.naspa.org) - Center for First Generation Success. Congratulations on what you have done so far to get where you are! Spread your wings and enjoy the ride!
I am responding as a clinical psychotherapist who studied fine arts in undergrad. I then took pre-requisite psychology courses prior to applying to my graduate program in counseling. For anyone studying psychology the most important aspect to understand is that while you are learning about human behavior, you will also be taking a deep look at yourself. As an undergraduate you may not be tasked with this as much as you will if you pursue graduate education. In an MA or PhD or PsyD program, you will be expected to look inward and reflect upon your own life experience. It is crucial to work through any issues or concerns that could impact the way you work with a patient. I suggest you begin thinking about how you want to use the knowledge you are gaining. What has compelled you to study psychology? Where do you envision yourself working in the future? Some professional roles are more person centered than others. Your experience as a first-generation student may influence you to start a peer support group or join an already established group. Being a first-generation student, you may have stressors that are unique- perhaps greater pressure to succeed, perhaps distinct cultural, spiritual, or familial influences or beliefs. You can build awareness about how such factors may impact your learning and perspective. If you have never been in counseling as a client, I encourage you to try it. Most schools have an on-campus counseling center. While not required at the undergraduate level, many graduate psychology programs expect students to complete a certain number of hours in therapy. If you have a sense about what you want to do in life, pursue a volunteer position or entry level position doing hands-on work. Find a mentor in the field who inspires you. Ask to have an informational interview with someone doing the kind of work you might want to do someday. Seek the support you need to succeed; support can look like many things- connecting with other first-gen students, finding a spiritual or religious 'home,' seeking mental health support, getting academic tutoring, etc. If all this seems overwhelming, it was meant to get you thinking about your options. You are only human after all; take what sounds useful and leave the rest. College is as much about becoming an adult as it is about academic achievement. I discovered a website that might be interesting (firstgen.naspa.org) - Center for First Generation Success. Congratulations on what you have done so far to get where you are! Spread your wings and enjoy the ride!
Katherine Avery
Run a music studio and teach private music lessons; teach college-level religion classes
350
Answers
Spanish Fork, Utah
Updated
Katherine’s Answer
Just for interest's sake, as well as information, to add to your own knowledge base that you can plug into what you study in school, my advice is to get familiar with the books and podcasts, YouTube channels and websites, of John Townsend, Henry Cloud, Gary Chapman, Ross Campbell, Les and Leslie Parrott, Terence Real, John and Julie Gottman, John Gray. Alan Wolfelt, Anna Runkle, Thais Gibson, and Melody Beattie. The content they have produced will help you be familiar with the kinds of things many people seek psychology help with, and you'll be able to form your own opinions and go deeper over time as you figure out your particular interests and expertise.
Tammy Prosser
Educator
44
Answers
Buffalo, New York
Updated
Tammy’s Answer
Hi Brandi- one practical thing to keep in mind when it comes to psychology majors is to use these next 4 years to figure out what comes next. Your university program probably requires you to take a class in your junior or senior year which explores careers in psychology. In most cases, you will need to go on to obtain a masters or higher degree but there are a wide variety of options to pursue after your degree. Since you are already thinking ahead, you will have plenty of time to see where your interests lay and to explore careers. You may be required to do an internship in your senior year and this will likely be in the area of interest. There are a variety of career fields you can go into- just to name a few- school counselor or school psychologist, social worker, clinical psychologist, therapist, researcher, professor, etc. Don’t worry about it now as over the next few years you will see through the variety of courses and experiences where your passions are. My point was just simply to know that a undergraduate degree in psychology alone in most cases will not allow you to work in the field and you will most likely to do continue on into graduate school at some point.
Melissa M.
Organizational Development Specialist
20
Answers
Orlando, Florida
Updated
Melissa’s Answer
Hello Brandie,
If I could share one valuable tip with a fellow Psychology major, it would be to dive deep into the multifaceted world of this discipline. Psychology is often associated with counseling or therapy, but it's a vast field with so much more to explore. For instance, Human Factors Psychology focuses on the interaction between humans and machines, striving to make interfaces more user-friendly.
Then there's Industrial and Organizational Psychology, which uses statistical analysis to enhance workplace environments, boosting employee satisfaction and morale. And these are just a couple of examples; there are many more disciplines within psychology to discover.
Remember, many roles in this field often require a master's degree. So, start your research early, identify what truly sparks your interest, and map out the academic journey you'll need to embark on to achieve your dreams. Your passion for psychology can lead you to exciting places, so embrace the journey and let your curiosity guide you.
If I could share one valuable tip with a fellow Psychology major, it would be to dive deep into the multifaceted world of this discipline. Psychology is often associated with counseling or therapy, but it's a vast field with so much more to explore. For instance, Human Factors Psychology focuses on the interaction between humans and machines, striving to make interfaces more user-friendly.
Then there's Industrial and Organizational Psychology, which uses statistical analysis to enhance workplace environments, boosting employee satisfaction and morale. And these are just a couple of examples; there are many more disciplines within psychology to discover.
Remember, many roles in this field often require a master's degree. So, start your research early, identify what truly sparks your interest, and map out the academic journey you'll need to embark on to achieve your dreams. Your passion for psychology can lead you to exciting places, so embrace the journey and let your curiosity guide you.
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
560
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hello Brandie,
One piece of advice for success in your Psychology degree is to actively engage in research opportunities. Research experience can greatly enhance your understanding and application of psychological concepts, as well as make you a more competitive candidate for graduate programs or jobs in the field. Look for research assistant positions with faculty members, participate in independent research projects, or join a psychology lab on campus. Additionally, consider presenting your work at conferences or publishing it in academic journals to further develop your professional profile. By immersing yourself in research, you'll gain valuable skills and knowledge that will set you apart in the field of psychology.
Best wishes.
One piece of advice for success in your Psychology degree is to actively engage in research opportunities. Research experience can greatly enhance your understanding and application of psychological concepts, as well as make you a more competitive candidate for graduate programs or jobs in the field. Look for research assistant positions with faculty members, participate in independent research projects, or join a psychology lab on campus. Additionally, consider presenting your work at conferences or publishing it in academic journals to further develop your professional profile. By immersing yourself in research, you'll gain valuable skills and knowledge that will set you apart in the field of psychology.
Best wishes.
Tamara Minott
College Admissions Consulting
10
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Tamara’s Answer
Hey Brandie,
I love Thao's answer - it's spot on for ensuring you're internalizing the material so it takes less work to study and you're able to truly embody what you're learning.
I want to add - that I am a first-generation student and started college as a psychology major. The one thing I wish I was aware of before jumping into psych courses were how much of what you learn will highlight deficiencies in your own upbringing. When you realize a family member exhibited some of the more toxic behaviors that you're going to study, it can really mess with your ability to focus on the material and the rest of your studies.
That being said, having an outlet for processing these emotions will be CRUCIAL. I highly recommend you start journaling or sign up for counseling or therapy as soon as you start feeling any sort of "Wait a minute - so THIS is why I am the way I am?!?!" You'll need a place to process it all.
I hope this helps. If you need any assistance with applying to college or being successful during your time there, check out www.clarifyed.co for resources.
Dr. Minott
I love Thao's answer - it's spot on for ensuring you're internalizing the material so it takes less work to study and you're able to truly embody what you're learning.
I want to add - that I am a first-generation student and started college as a psychology major. The one thing I wish I was aware of before jumping into psych courses were how much of what you learn will highlight deficiencies in your own upbringing. When you realize a family member exhibited some of the more toxic behaviors that you're going to study, it can really mess with your ability to focus on the material and the rest of your studies.
That being said, having an outlet for processing these emotions will be CRUCIAL. I highly recommend you start journaling or sign up for counseling or therapy as soon as you start feeling any sort of "Wait a minute - so THIS is why I am the way I am?!?!" You'll need a place to process it all.
I hope this helps. If you need any assistance with applying to college or being successful during your time there, check out www.clarifyed.co for resources.
Dr. Minott
Thao Pham
Marketing/ Recruitment
17
Answers
Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
Updated
Thao’s Answer
Hello, Brandie! It's great to hear that you're also fascinated by psychology. Like you, I didn't get the opportunity to delve into this field until later in my career. My work in marketing, branding, and recruitment frequently led me to engaging discussions about human behavior, which sparked my interest in psychology and social studies.
Here's a practical tip for you: Try to apply the psychological theories you learn to your everyday interactions. This will help you form your own perspective on these theories. Once you understand these concepts, take the time to analyze them and incorporate them into your actions. This is the key to truly engaging with the knowledge you've acquired and making it a part of who you are. Best of luck on your journey!
Here's a practical tip for you: Try to apply the psychological theories you learn to your everyday interactions. This will help you form your own perspective on these theories. Once you understand these concepts, take the time to analyze them and incorporate them into your actions. This is the key to truly engaging with the knowledge you've acquired and making it a part of who you are. Best of luck on your journey!