How to Survive College as a Psychology Major

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How to Survive College as a Psychology Major

• Rachel Diamond
• Thomas Gottehrer
• Paul Markowicz

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Freshman Year

• Meet with your advisor
• This person can help you understand exactly what
  your arrow sheet is all about
• Make sure to not only take general education
  courses, try to at least take one psychology
  course (Psych 100 is a pre-requisite for many
  courses, this should be the first psychology
  course you take)
• Become involved on campus
• Each year our school spends thousands of dollars
  bringing different speakers to campusEnjoy them!
• There are hundreds of different clubstry to
  become involved in at least one (Psychology Club,
  Psi Chi, etc.)
• Make a Plan For Yourself
• Learn valuable time management skills
• Block out time each night to study and do your
  homework
• Dont let yourself fall behind. Catching up is
  not as easy in college as it was in high school
• If you are in need of extra help, the College
  Writing Center offers tutors free of charge

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Sophomore Year

• Relations With Teachers
• If you plan on attending graduate school one day,
  you will need a minimum of two letters of
  recommendation from your teachers. This would be
  a good time to begin cementing long lasting
  relations with these teachers
• Class Selection
• Make sure to continue fulfilling your general
  education requirements while at the same time
  continuing to take 200 and 300 level courses
• Research and Volunteer Work
• Get involved both on and off campus
• Many teachers are looking for help with research.
  This is a great way to gain experience within the
  field

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Sophomore Year Continued

• Resumes
• Make sure to keep a record of everything you are
  involved in
• If you have any questions on how to write a
  resume be sure to visit the Careers Office in
  Netzer
• Resume Tips
• Start thinking about your future
• Begin to think about where you see yourself in
  two years
• Will you be attending graduate school, working,
  etc.?
• Make sure to attend graduate school and career
  fairs on campus. This is a good way to learn
  about the many options that are available to you.
  

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Junior Year

• Courses
• Possibly re-take any courses you have done poorly
  in
• Take more 200 and 300 level psychology courses
• Complete the remainder of your general education
  courses
• Dont become lazy! Stay on top of your work,
  this is your most crucial year!
• Internships
• These are a great way to gain experience within
  the field
• Speak to different professors and ask if they are
  conducting any sort of research
• Look into becoming a teaching assistant
• Graduate School
• Register for the GRE exams in fall if you plan to
  take them in the spring, or in the spring if you
  plan to take them over the summer
• Continue researching graduate schools. Send away
  for information from schools that you are highly
  interested in (Fall)
• Summer is an ideal time to go and visit these
  graduate schools

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Graduate School.. To go or not to go?

• Start thinking about graduate schools
• Do you want to go to a graduate school?
• What area would you like to go for your masters
  in?
• The Career Development Center would love to help
  you find the right graduate school for you! Go
  and see them! (Netzer 110)
• You will find a great deal of helpful information
  from the Career Development Center
• Lists of graduate schools that offer your masters
  program
• Postcards that request graduate school
  information
• List of Services

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Senior Year

• Last Minute Reminders
• Make sure you have completed all graduation
  requirements
• Obtain copies of your transcripts
• Graduate School
• When you first arrive for the fall semester make
  sure to ask faculty to write your letters of
  recommendation
• The earlier you ask the more likely they will be
  willing to write one for you
• Check deadlines for graduate school applications
• Make sure all materials are sent out ahead of
  time.You do not want to be rushing at the end
• Post Graduation
• Make sure to stick to your plan as much as
  possible
• Do not let yourself go home and sit on your couch
  all day
• You have earned a college degree, go out and make
  something of yourself!
• For further information on any of the topics you
  have learned about today, read Preparing for
  Graduate Study In Psychology 101 Questions and
  Answers, By William Buskist and Thomas R.
  Sherburne

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Things we wish we were told throughout our
college career, but never were

• Become involved on campus, its a wonderful way
  to meet all different types of people
• Leave your comfort zone! Why not go and
  introduce yourself to the person who sits behind
  you in Psych 100, who knows they might turn into
  your best friend
• Go to the Career Development Center as soon as
  possible
• MEET YOUR ADVISOR OR ANY PROFESSOR IN THE FIELD
  THAT YOU ARE INTERESTED IN
• Enjoy, these are the best four years of your
  life! Do not take them for granted!

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Upcoming Events You May Find Helpful(From The
Career Development Center)

• Graduate and Professional School Fair, Fall 2005,
  date TBA
• 200 Days till Graduation, Wednesday, November 3,
  2004 10-2 on the Netzer Quad
• Job and Internship Fair, Wednesday, March 16,
  2005, 1-3 pm, Chase Gym
• Teacher Recruitment Days, April 14-15, 2005,
  contact the Career Development Center for more
  information