Alright, so you wanna know how I kinda, sorta, made it as a psychology major? Buckle up, it’s a bit of a ride.
It all started, like, freshman year. I remember walking into this huge lecture hall for Intro to Psych, feeling totally lost. Everyone looked like they knew what they were doing, and I was just hoping I could find a seat. The professor started talking about Freud and Skinner, and honestly, I was mostly just confused. But something about it, about trying to understand why people do what they do, kinda grabbed me.
So, I decided to stick with it. Didn’t mean it was easy, though. The first thing I did was actually show up to class. Sounds simple, right? But trust me, especially after a late night, it can be tough. I also started taking notes – like, actual, useful notes, not just doodling in the margins. Pro tip: color-coding is your friend.
Then came the reading. Oh god, the reading. So. Much. Reading. I tried to keep up, I really did. But it was overwhelming. I figured out pretty quickly that I couldn’t just passively read the textbook. I had to actively engage with it. So, I started highlighting key terms, writing summaries in the margins, and even making flashcards. It was time-consuming, yeah, but it helped me actually understand and remember stuff.
Another big thing was finding a study group. I was kinda shy at first, but I forced myself to talk to people in class. We started meeting up once a week to go over the material, quiz each other, and complain about the professor (you know, the usual). It was a lifesaver. Not only did it help me stay on top of the work, but it also made me feel like I wasn’t alone in this whole psychology thing.
But the real game-changer was getting involved in research. I emailed a bunch of professors, asking if they needed any help in their labs. Most of them didn’t even reply, but one professor gave me a chance. I started as a research assistant, basically just doing grunt work – entering data, running participants, that kinda thing. But it was still super valuable. I got to see how psychological research is actually conducted, and I learned a ton about research methods and statistics (which, let’s be honest, are kinda important in psychology).
Over time, I took on more responsibility in the lab. I helped design studies, analyze data, and even present our findings at conferences. It was a lot of hard work, but it was also incredibly rewarding. I realized that I actually enjoyed doing research, and I started thinking about going to grad school.
Of course, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. I failed a couple of exams, I procrastinated on writing papers, and I questioned whether I was even cut out for this whole psychology thing. But I kept pushing myself, I kept learning, and I kept asking for help when I needed it.
So, what’s the secret to success as a psychology major? There isn’t one, really. It’s just about showing up, working hard, and finding something that you’re actually passionate about. And maybe, just maybe, not pulling all-nighters before every exam.
Here’s a quick rundown of what I think helped me:
- Attend classes and take good notes.
- Engage actively with the reading material.
- Join a study group.
- Get involved in research.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
- Find what you’re passionate about within psychology.
Now I’m doing [insert current career/grad school status here]. It’s pretty wild looking back at where I started and where I am now, but I wouldn’t trade the journey for anything. Psychology can be a tough major, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. Good luck out there!
