Alright folks, lemme tell you about this volunteering gig I landed for psychology students – it was a wild ride!
It all started when I saw this posting at the university. They needed “community volunteers” to help psych students get some hands-on experience. I thought, “Hey, I can do that!” I mean, I’m a pretty good listener, and I’ve got a lifetime of, shall we say, interesting life experiences to share. So, I signed up.
The first thing I did was attend a briefing session. Basically, they told us the dos and don’ts. The BIGGEST don’t? Pretending to be a therapist! We were there to be practice subjects, not give advice. Got it.
Then came the fun part. I was paired up with a student, a really bright and eager young woman named Sarah. She was super nervous at first. I could see it in her eyes. So, I tried to lighten the mood. I started by telling her about my terrible morning – spilled coffee, missed the bus, the whole shebang. It seemed to help her relax a bit.
Sarah explained that she needed to practice different interview techniques. So, we spent the next hour going through scenarios. One minute I was a stressed-out college student dealing with exam anxiety, the next I was a disgruntled employee complaining about my boss. I even had to pretend to be afraid of clowns (which wasn’t much of a stretch, to be honest).
The best part was the feedback she gave me. She’d pause after each scenario and tell me what I did well, and what I could improve. Turns out, I have a tendency to ramble – something my wife has been telling me for years! It was actually quite insightful to hear it from someone with a fresh perspective.
We did this for a few weeks, and I saw Sarah’s confidence grow with each session. She started asking more probing questions, and she got really good at active listening. I felt like I was actually contributing to her education.
But it wasn’t just about helping Sarah. I learned a lot about myself too. Being put in those different scenarios forced me to think about my own emotions and reactions in a new way. It was like a free therapy session, without the couch!
- First, I signed up and attended the briefing session.
- Then, I was paired with a student named Sarah.
- After that, we practiced different interview techniques.
- I got feedback from Sarah.
- Finally, I saw Sarah’s confidence grow.
The Results?
Well, Sarah aced her practical exam, which was awesome! And I got a newfound appreciation for the field of psychology. Plus, I’m a much better listener now (or at least, I try to be!).
Would I do it again? Absolutely! It was a rewarding experience, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking to give back to their community. Just remember, you’re there to be a subject, not a therapist! And maybe bring a change of clothes, just in case you have to pretend to be a clown…
