Top 10 Things
You Should Know About Being a Psychology Major
10. The curriculum requirements are changing next year (2003-2004) when the new course catalog is published. You can graduate under any catalog available during your time here.
9. Take an independent study class, or take several. It forces you to work closely with a professor and/or graduate student. There is little work required outside of lab-time, and you will learn a lot.
8. If you're interested in practical, applied psychology instead of theory and research, then take some classes in the Psych Services department in the School of Education. If you like it better, then considering transferring!
7. Get advice from students who have had certain professors before. Don't get just one opinion, but get several. Don't rely solely on CTECs either. Also, remember that your TA can sometimes make or break a class.
6. Get to know familiar faces in the department: Ginger Gilmore (491-5190), the Undergraduate Secretary; Joan Linsenmeier (491-7834), the Associate Director Undergraduate Studies. They both have all the answers and love to help.
5. Psychology is one of the most popular majors here- the third largest behind Biology and Economics. You can get lost in the shuffle and never make anything of it, but that is a waste of time and resources. Get involved! Also, remember that a Bachelor's of Arts degree in Psychology might bring you limited opportunities in the field. Be creative by considering graduate school and other job fields with crossover.
4. Don't believe everything that you're taught! Want to really critique psychology? Take classes in Anthropology, Gender Studies, Philosophy, etc.
3. Seek help when you don't understand something. For the most part, your TA should be you first source of help, but in the event that they're unapproachable or not entirely enlightening, definitely seek out your professor. They'll be happy that you did.
2. Freud would have felt right at home here.
1. Keep updated! Join the UPA listserv (email Debbie Kim, Vice President), and look out for the Swift Thinking newsletter, published by the Psych Department. You can access it online here.