Although I had studied Psychology at A-level, stepping into the world of an undergraduate definitely gave me a lot to think about and was a very interesting learning curve.
Despite having to grasp new theories and ideas, one thing I did not anticipate was the amount of things I had learned about psychology as a whole as well as the ways in which I started to view the world.
Here I list 5 things I have learned whilst pursuing a Psychology degree. Hopefully this will offer you an insight to the benefits of a Psychology degree if you have any interest in pursuing a degree in Psychology.
1) The diversity of people
I discovered that people differ in much greater ways than I ever expected. I realised just how many things there are to research about in people, with such a wide spectrum of differences the things that make us unique are endless.
Having an open mind and an interest in the diversity of people can make you feel both closer and more distant to everyone else but it was a new way of seeing the world that I did not expect to encounter.
For example, factors in our DNA, our different interpretations of events, our preferences, environment and much more. I think it is beautiful and it shows how much there is to explore about people.
2) The importance of Mathematics
If the university of your choice asks for evidence of good Maths skills such as GCSE grades, they mean it. Your statistical analysis skills will skyrocket and will link into your other modules so be mentally prepared for all things graphs and algebra (yes algebra!).
Don’t let this concern you – Maths is such a large factor of understanding scientific articles and research findings of your own that the lecturers will make sure you understand everything and they will be glad to help you. Be prepared to become a mathematician, a scientist and a writer all at once- and enjoy it.
3) The importance of open-mindedness
There are so many sensitive topics during the course, many of which you may already have stereotypes about. This really stood out to me when I learned about refugees, since this is such a current global topic.
Allowing the information to enter your mind uninfluenced by any assumptions you may have about these people will really help you to view the world in a more accurate way. This will in turn, improve your essays and exam learning. In short, approach each topic like you have never heard of it before and it is fascinating what you can get out of it.
4) Take mind-reading off the agenda
Everyone will ask you if you can mind read. So much so that you will probably start asking yourself why you have not been taught to do so yet.
However, it will surprise you what you don’t know about much simpler areas such as how to conduct an appropriate study that you will start understanding just how complicated and multidimensional this subject is.
For example, in some ways, psychological harm is worse than any other kind of harm. For this reason even learning about ethical issues in participants in studies can take years to do and they are likely to be taught again and again throughout your modules.
5) There is always more we can explore
Although it is a fascinating subject with constant research, there is still so much we do not understand about the way people think. Even things such as EEG or fMRI scans, which themselves have flaws, do not really show us a great deal of how it is exactly our brains and our minds are connected and how our world influences us.
You will constantly come across situations where your teacher or lecturer will simply say ‘I don’t know’ to a question you may have regarding why people do certain things but don’t let this faze you. See it as an opportunity for discovery and an indication that any research or analysis you do is valuable and has a purpose in developing further knowledge whilst pursuing a Psychology degree.
By Alexis B, private tutor in London
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