Dear incoming psych students,

Five years ago, I made the decision to pursue a degree in psychology after falling in love with human behavior and mental health. It hasn’t been an easy journey; there have been many ups and downs throughout the years. However, I have learned from these experiences and would like to pass on three pieces of advice to you.

First, get involved within the school and your community. Joining clubs, participating in research, attending events and volunteering, are incredibly valuable. This provides opportunity to get to know your peers, professors and gain experience in different areas of the field. Reach out to your professors and organizations; do not wait for them to come to you. Spend time searching for an organization you are passionate about and ask them if they have opportunities available for you to help. This looks good on a resume and may help you get a job in the future.

Second, don’t be afraid to take courses out of your comfort zone. By doing this, you can experience all areas of the field and hopefully, discover your passion. When you find what your passionate about, you will know. Don’t feel unmotivated if you don’t find it right away.

Lastly, take care of yourself and spend time doing what makes you happy. Use a planner and plan out your week, this will help with procrastination. “Quizlet” is the best website for studying, create an account and use it to help keep yourself on track. Exercise, spend time with friends and remember, if you need a break from studying, that’s okay! Neglecting yourself is going to do more damage then taking a study break.

Remember, there is a reason you are here. Push through the difficult courses and focus on your end goal, whatever that may be. Psychology has provided me with the opportunity to not only expand my knowledge and skills, but also grow as a person. Good luck with your degree!

Makayla