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Letters to
Freshmen
from Seniors
When
I began my freshman year at the University of Scranton I did not
declare
a major right away. I felt that I needed some time to explore what the
university had to offer me before I made such a serious decision. I
wanted
to have a major that would interest me and at the same time direct me
into
a profession that would improve the lives of those who are in need.
After
a year of thinking and exploring, I found that psychology was a field
of
study that I could relate to. Much
of what I was taught in psychology will always fascinate me. Over the
past
four years I have developed a greater understanding of human behavior.
Classes such as Childhood and Adolescence, Social Psychology, Health
Psychology,
Research Methods, and Statistics have given me the knowledge of what
psychology
is all about and how we practice it in our everyday lives. I believe
that
after four years of learning psychology I have become a more
understanding,
compassionate, reasonable, cooperative, and intelligent human being. I
feel that an awareness of human behavior has prepared me very well for
the future. Many
people may claim that in order to get a good job one must attain a
master's
or doctoral degree in psychology .Attending graduate school for
psychology
does have many advantages. Those with a master's or doctorate degree in
psychology have many opportunities such as teaching at a university or
starting a personal practice. However , there are many job
opportunities
for students with a bachelor's degree in psychology . There
are several things that I can regret not doing during my time here at
Scranton.
I feel that joining a psychology club or other type of psychology based
program could have helped me to better understand some of the teachings
in psychology.I also wish I
had put more effort
into
some of the classes that I took in psychology .It probably would have
been
helpful for me if l had asked more questions in my classes.Sometimes
I would leave a lecture and be totally confused with a certain concept.
I feel that I should have discussed my misunderstandings with my
professors
more often. One
thing in particular that I would suggest you take advantage of during
your
college career is your opportunity to study abroad. My most memorable
time
in college would have to be my time in Australia. Lectures will not
teach
you what it is like to live in another country for a semester. This is
something that you have to go and experience for yourself. As a
psychology
student, I feel that living in a different environment from what you
are
used to will help you to enjoy the science of psychology even more. I
guarantee
that studying abroad will be a lifelong memory that you will never
forget. I would like to suggest a few more things that would be helpful during your next few years here at the University. First of all, try to keep your schoolwork organized and make sure to use your time wisely. Also, instead of stressing about something you don't understand, go to a fellow classmate or a teacher and ask them for their help. If encountering your peers and professors does not work, go to the tutoring department and ask for a tutor. I probably would have done very poorly in Statistics if I did not get a tutor. Lastly, and most importantly, enjoy your experience in college. It is a once in a lifetime learning experience that allows you to grow into the unique individual that you can be. Sincerely, Three
weeks from now, I will be a college graduate. Wow! When did that happen?Before
you know it, you will be three weeks away from the real world too. When
you look back, what will you see? My
four years started in the biology department -a valuable experience. I
learned absolutely nothing that would qualify as scientific, virtually
everything went over my head, and at the end of both semesters, I was
honestly
satisfied knowing that I did not fail, even if I did come close.But,
I made friends... and I realized that I was not the only one lost in a
sea of lab coats and goggles.The
classes and labs
were hard and the work never ended, but I found out that, when all else
fails, it can be very amusing to, literally, make it all up as you go
along.
When the "What was I thinking?" realization finally hit me, I became a
psych major and learned one last lesson from my year as a biology
major:
appreciate the psych major - it may be hard sometimes, but never as
hard
as life in Loyola. I
think being a psych major was a lot of fun. There are some great
professors
and lots of interesting things to learn in the psychology department,
but
you will probably find professors you don't like so much and some stuff
you really are not interested in learning about too. You will learn
which
professors you like and which ones make you want to run screaming in
the
opposite direction, but this happens everywhere. I hope that you will
be
as lucky as I was to find that some of the psychology professors here
would
become some of my favorite people in the world. You
probably haven't heard much about Statistics yet, but, in my opinion,
it
wasn't as bad as I thought it would be… well, not the second
time
around.You
will quickly learn that different professors can make all the
difference.My
first experience with statistics was with a professor who I just did
not
like at all.I thought
statistics was as scary as
I heard it would be and ended up just a few points shy of the "C or
better"
you need in that class and had to take it again.That
was one of those seemingly unimportant things that ended up having a
big
impact.The professor I had the
second time made
statistics understandable and even a little enjoyable and the professor
quickly became one of my favorites and has had a lasting impact on my
life. That
reminds me of some advice and things you may not know that I would like
to share.Try to become friends
with some older
psych
majors… their advice will be helpful, especially when
selecting your
classes.There
are many great professors at The U and just as many that you might want
to avoid - ask around when working out your schedule.Get
to know people in all your classes and exchange screen names, phone
numbers,
and email addresses.Not only
will they make your
classes and time here more enjoyable, but they will come in very handy
the night before you have an assignment due and have no idea what to
do…
especially if you commute - it is pretty hard to walk down the hall to
find someone in your class when you don't live on campus.Don't
procrastinate… yep, that is definitely easier said than done.It
is important to enjoy yourself, but you need to do your work too.Life
will keep happening whether or not you have your work done and it is no
fun to miss out on something because you have a paper due or to try to
do that paper after you've been out later than you thought you would be
and just want your bed.Make
friends with
commuters…
it can be a little more difficult for them to get involved with people
who live on campus and they are more likely to know how to get to
places
you want to go or to tell you about places you might like to check out.The
library is a great place to go to do work if you get distracted in your
dorm or house.The library also
has laptops you
can
borrow and use in the library -- I didn't know about them for a couple
years, but once I found out about them, I found myself using them all
the
time. Don't
work too hard… work never ends, but college does.Someone
is paying a lot of money for you to be here… make the most
of all of
your
experiences! Have
fun!
Just
as I did four short years ago, you'll be reading this letter to try and
glean some advice from someone who has completed the degree you are
about
to start. Most of these letters will tell you the same things: go to
class,
get to know your professors, get involved with extra-curricular
activities,
etc. These things are important, but they are common sense and you
probably
already figured them out in high school. My advice, which may sound
simple
but is most certainly not, is to make a plan and stick to it. By making
a plan I mean that you have to be in control of your education from now
on. Your parents and high school teachers have coddled you through the
college application process, and now here you are, with no idea what is
about to happen next. The first thing you need to do is understand the
requirements that you need for graduation. It may seem insanely far
away,
but trust me, it's not. Find that mysterious book called the course
catalog,
and study how the credits are broken down by semester and year for your
major. Are you undecided? Decide. It's hard enough
to figure
out
what to do when you know what your major is, you can't imagine how hard
it is when you don't.
The
reason I'm stressing this so much is because no one is really paying
attention
to this stuff besides you. If you don't understand what classes you
need
to graduate, you may find yourself 6 credits short as a second semester
senior (like me) and have to go through weeks of paperwork and battles
with the registrar so you can graduate with your friends. Freshman year
isn't so bad, because you'll have an advisor to baby step you through
the
frustrating registration process. After that, you'll be on your own.
Also,
once sophomore year begins, don't trust your advisor to make all the
right
decisions about your class schedule. Advisors are there to do just
that:
advise. If you have no idea what classes you need (or want!), then they
are totally useless to you. I absentmindedly glided through all of my
advising
appointments, simply getting the signature on the registration form.
Well,
ignorance is bliss. More often than not, I didn't get any of the
classes
I wanted, and I found myself at a loss for what to sign up for. As a
result,
I am now taking some of the hardest courses for a psych major in my
senior
year (Sensation and Perception, Conditioning and Learning, Anatomy and
Physiology, Quantitative Methods), as well as an emergency reader with
another professor so I would have enough credits to graduate. Get your
core (required) classes out of the way ASAP! It's so easy to take
composition
and drama as your most demanding classes as a freshman, but don't fall
into that trap as I did. You'll be thanking me your senior year when
you
have no classes on Monday or Friday, and no class before 1 the rest of
the week.
Of
all these things you have to worry about, there is one thing that you
must
never forget: have fun! These will be, I promise, the shortest four
years
of your life. This may sound lame, but carpe diem. I
wish 1
could
take back all those days and nights I spent watching TV when I could
have
been out living. Don't sleep all day, don't skip class just because you
can, and start to really get to know the people sitting around you. You
may not realize it, but the people in your freshman seminar class will
most likely be in the rest of your classes for the next 3 years. Make
them
your friends. By the time senior year rolls around, you'll have a room
full of best friends with whom you will have shared this outrageous
experience
called college. Good Luck! As
you read through these letters and many others like them, you may
expect
to undercover a complicated formula that will help ensure a successful
college career. You may be certain that there exist specific rules,
extreme
guidelines, and strict procedures that will transform your next four
years
into a series of accomplishments and victories. Well, it may be easier
than you imagined. Throughout my past four years at this University, I
have discovered that staying true to oneself, motivation, and hard work
are the simple tools that will lead you to an enjoyable and rewarding
college
experience.
During
your next four years, as well as your life beyond, it is overwhelmingly
important that you stay true to yourself and sensitive to your own
wants
and needs. This rule should be applied to every aspect of your life
including
your major, classes, and friends. Whether it be in the classroom, the
cafeteria,
or a room full of friends, nothing will make your time here more
rewarding
than following your heart. Blindly following the crowd or using your
time
here chasing after superficial goals and fulfilling the wants of others
are guaranteed ways to ensure that you will look back with regret. This
is your time to learn about your goals, talents, interests and needs-
do
not let anyone else speak for you.
In
addition to staying true to yourself, working hard and fully applying
yourself
to all activities in and outside of the classroom will ensure
productivity
and regard. College is both hard and demanding with out the true
opportunity
for shortcuts and half-hearted attempts. You have chosen to further
your
education and experience; it is your responsibility to make the most of
it. Trust me, you do not want to look back your senior year realizing
your
accomplishments rested far below your potential. Motivation,
going right along with hard work, is the third tool that will bring
success.
As I mentioned earlier, what you do here is completely up to you. As I
am sure you have heard many times before, no one is going to hold your
hand and lead you to what you want; you need to go out and grab it for
yourself. Keep yourself aware of what the Scranton community has to
offer
and take advantage of it through participation. One of my biggest
regrets
as a graduating senior is that I often failed to take initiative and
allowed
opportunities both in the academic and social setting to pass my by.
Participating
in class, signing up for research projects, or taking part in Habitat
for
Humanity are all ways to further your college career. Although
the next four years may seem to offer all the time in the world or
might
be viewed as scary or intimidating, be confident in the fact that they
can be anything you want them to be; four years filled with friends,
memories,
respect, and academic success. With hard work, motivation, and
sincerity,
I am positive that you will be able to look back with a strong sense of
accomplishment and self-respect. It's
very strange to be writing this letter now that we only have three
weeks
until graduation. It really doesn't seem possible that the four years
are
almost over. Though its very cliche, and I'm sure you've heard it a
million
times by now, but these years have the potential to be the best of your
life. Together with your friends, you will grow both as a student and a
person. College is a wonderful opportunity for you to learn academics.
However, the most important thing that I learned at this Jesuit
University
is the power of friendship. There are always classes available, but
being
at a Jesuit school you learn the importance of creating a network of
friends
who will be there to support you and help you grow as a
person.
I'm
very indecisive by nature, so choosing a school, and then a major was a
major source of anxiety for me. I ended up choosing Scranton because it
was a small private school and I felt really comfortable on the campus.
Being in Scranton I've met a group of amazing, interesting,
intelligent,
and fun people, and have actually lived with the same group of girls I
met my freshman year, all four years. Though Scranton is a small
school,
each time I feel as though I know everyone I meet someone else who I
can't
believe I hadn't known before.
I
originally came into school with an English major because it offered me
a lot of room to take different kinds of classes. I began taking
history
, French, and also tried a marketing class but none of them really
excited
or interested me. I've worked with Autistic kids the past 8 summers,
and
decided to take some psych classes to learn more about different
disorders
and aspects of personality. Overall, I am glad that I took on a double
major because it offered me a lot of different opportunities, and
helped
to keep me interested in my classes. I also joined the Women's studies
concentration and I think it was the best decision I've made regarding
my classes at the University. It is an interdisciplinary concentration
which means that the classes come from a variety of different
departments.
That allowed some of my general education classes along with some of my
English and psyches classes to crossover and count for both areas at
the
same time. Taking on a double major is a pretty good idea, and I would
recommend doing so, but try to decide earlier rather than later in
order
to get all the required classes in and still graduate on time. Overall,
I think the psychology department has many positive traits. The faculty
are very dedicated and truly want to help the students and see them
succeed.
Faculty attempt to involve students in their own research projects and
offer multiple opportunities to become more involved in specific areas
of psychology that student's may be interested. My only real point of
contention
with the psychology department is that so many of the classes overlap
in
their content. Too many of the courses emphasized the basic fundamental
principles of psychology rather than delving into more complex issues
relating
to the field. The classes I found most interesting included behavioral
neuroscience and psych testing. These courses come to the class with an
understanding that the students already understand and are familiar
with
the basics of psychology and are much more advanced and
interesting. Attempt
to enjoy all aspects of your college experience, and try to find a
balance
between school work, friends, and developing yourself as a person. Take
your time, you will become more comfortable with yourself and your
surroundings
and will learn what you need to do to succeed here at the University.
Best
of luck as you begin your college experience, enjoy it; it truly goes
by
much too quickly. Dear
Incoming Psychology Freshman, My
name is _____ and I am coming close to my graduation from the
University
of Scranton. I came into Scranton as a Business major hoping to work
toward
my life long goal of being in the FBI. However at the conclusion of my
freshman year I realized that business was not the right major for me.
During that summer I racked my brain trying to figure out what I wanted
to do with my life. Believe me as I look back at myself as an
19-year-old
college sophomore I really had no idea what I really wanted. However I
chose to take the path of psychology because that is what I thought
that
I was interested in at the time. Now as the final days approach and I
prepare
to leave one school and move on to yet another in the fall I have no
regrets
about the major that I decided to pursue. The
Psychology Department at this school has impressed me very much over
the
past three years. I have had nothing but positive experiences with all
of my teachers and the other students in the major. I think that a good
thing about being a psych major is that you really get to know your
teachers
and they get to know you. The amount of people in this major is not as
large as other majors so I think that that is a positive aspect. Also
AMH
provides an environment that is extremely conducive to building
relationships
with fellow classmates and professors. My
advice to you as an incoming freshman is to get involved and talk to
your
teachers as much as you can. The importance of building positive
relationships
with your professors is definitely something that I can't stress
enough.
I did not begin to do this until my junior and senior year and now as I
look back I do not know how I got by without getting to know my
teachers
and letting them get to know me. That is definitely one regret that I
have
because I truly believe that I could have gotten better grades in my
first
2 years if I went to my teachers for help. Another
piece of advice that I could give you would be to do field experience.
Whether you volunteer on your own or you do it for credits, definitely
get involved in course related job experiences. I did field experience
my second semester of my junior year, and honestly that experience
helped
clear up a lot of questions I had about what I wanted to do in my life.
I worked at an excellent placement with a great supervisor and I had an
amazing experience, however, it did help me to realize that it was not
the right career path for me. Once again I came to yet another summer
where
I was stressed about making important career decisions. Now as I
prepare
to go to law school in the fall I have another internship through the
CJ
Department at the Public Defenders office and I absolutely love it. I
think
I finally found what I want to do and a lot of that discovery had to do
with the internships that I have had the past 2 years. My
last four years at this school have honestly been the best 4 years of
my
entire life. I have had many great teachers who have influenced my life
in positive ways and I have met many great friends who I know that I
will
have for the rest of my life. My advice to you is to take in every
single
second of it. Get involved right away and do every thing. The
University
of Scranton is a great school filled with great people and great
opportunities
and I wish you the best of luck in anything and everything that you
do. Sincerely
Yours, In
a couple weeks I'll be a college graduate, ready to throw myself into
the
real world. Who would have thought this day would've actually of gotten
here so soon? Four years ago when I was a freshman walking around the
University
of Scranton campus I was excited, a little nervous, and basically
overwhelmed
with all the possibilities that lay ahead of me. One thing I wasn't
thinking
about was how fast my college experience was going to be over. Before
you
know it you'll be done too. And who better than someone who has just
finished
up~ to provide you with a little insight on what you have ahead of you!
By sharing some of my experiences and regrets and adding in some
advice,
I hope that you'll be more aware of what you have ahead of
you.
I
started off my academic career at Scranton as a Biology Major. I
toughed
it out there for about a year and a half, then decided to switch over
to
the Psychology Department. I was very happy with my decision, and
quickly
adjusted to my new major. The Psych department seemed smaller and less
scary than the Bio department, and I was actually taking classes that I
enjoyed. Since I switched over in the middle of my sophomore year, I
thought
I was going to be really behind, fortunately I was wrong. I ended up
being
in a lot of classes with students that were a year below me, but I was
still able to graduate in four years without overloading my schedules.
The curriculum for the Psych major isn't completely set, so you have
some
choices when you pick electives. I thought that was a big plus, because
even though you get stuck taking some classes you would rather not, you
also get to take classes you really end up take pleasure in and taking
a lot from.
Of
course I encountered some professors that were tougher than others, and
some classes that barely held my interest, but I'm sure you could find
that in any department. Overall I'd say that all of the professors in
the
Psychology department are easy to talk to and always willing to help
you
out, whether you need extra help in a class or an opportunity to do
some
research. I ended up being a member of the Psych Club for two years. I
also came up with an original research proposal and ended up working
with
two professors in the Psychology faculty. The research project was both
fun and a huge learning experience. No matter how much you read about
how
to do research there is no better way to learn about it than actually
getting
involved in a project. Participating in the student/faculty research
program
was by far my most rewarding experience at the University. Now
that I've given you a quick recap of my four years, I want to mention
some
things that I wish I did a little bit differently. For one, you are
already
a step ahead of me. I wish that I had started off in the Psychology
department.
Even though I had a smooth transition when I switched my major, I would
have liked to take more classes with more of the students in my class.
I also wish I would have gotten more involved in clubs and activities.
Another disadvantage to becoming a Psych major in my sophomore year was
that, although I was able to take many of the electives offered, there
were some classes that I would have liked to have taken as well, which
I simply didn't have time for. Now
it's time for some words of wisdom. I'm sure you've heard this time and
time again, but make sure you get involved! Joining clubs and doing
research
helps you learn, have fun and meet a lot of great people. Don't just go
through the motions; make an effort to get to know your classmates as
well
as the professors. The Psychology department has an awesome atmosphere
that should definitely be taken advantage of. You should try to get to
know older students in the major because they can provide both support
and helpful hints, because remember, they've been there and they know
just
what you're going through. Also, be sure to take as many of the Psych
electives
as you can. Psychology is such a huge area, and it involves so many
different
types of study. You need to try out different areas so you can find out
what you're interested in. My
four years at Scranton were a blast, and I owe most of my positive
feelings
to having been involved in the Psychology department. Always remember
to
work hard, but not at the expense of having fun. Work never ends, but
college
does! Make the most of your time here, and take all that you can from
every
experience. Best
of Luck, Class
of 2003 The
psychology program here at the University of Scranton is very research
oriented. You will take Statistics and Research Methods and Lab in your
sophomore or junior year. In almost any psychology course you take
here,
you will be researching, presenting, or even constructing experiments.
In Research Methods Lab, a writing intensive course, you will submit
your
own "proposal", which is an experiment you designed on any topic of
interest.
Much of this course is spent analyzing data and writing up papers on
different
research topics your instructor has designed. For example, this year we
did a phone survey for a study about student's beliefs about the
nutritious
values (vitamins and minerals) of certain high-fat vs. low-fat foods.
We
each contacted a total of 12 students randomly selected from the
student
directory listing on the university's web-site, and we asked them to
rate
foods such as "strawberries" and "chocolate covered strawberries" in
terms
of the amount of vitamins and minerals they thought each had. For
another
project, we analyzed children's letters to Santa Claus and looked at
differences
in types of toys requested by boys and girls.
The
hardest course psychology course I took so far was probably Behavioral
Neuroscience. The best advice I can give for that class is to pay close
attention to what the instructor tells you is important and memorize
the
diagrams verbatim! A large part of the exam consists of drawing the
diagrams,
memorizing drugs and what the effect, etc. Because the department is
fairly
small, you will get to know all the professors and most fellow
psychology
students very well. One of the most important things my
advisor pushed
was doing research. If you plan on applying to graduate school in
psychology,
doing research is very important. For example, if you want to go into a
doctoral program in neuroscience, it would be almost impossible if you
had never done any research in neuroscience as an undergraduate.One
of the professors his own research lab here for students interested in
neuroscience, biopsychology, etc. Much of his work is done with
mice.
As
part of a requirement for Behavior Neuroscience, I participated in the
"Kids Judge" program. "Kids Judge" is a program held at several
colleges
across the country where local students and girl scouts come for a day
full of activities set up by psychology students. They participate in
all
kinds of projects designed by us to help them learn about the
neuroscience.
They then rate each activity and prizes are awarded to the group which
the kids liked the best. My group did a computer version of the "Trail
Making Test" with them and we also had them take another test called
"The
Stroop Effect". The intent was to teach them about certain functions of
the frontal lobe of the brain. Junior
year you will take a class called Career Development in Psychology. I
found
this course to be very helpful as far as deciding what you want to do
with
your psychology degree, different options you have, and what skills you
have for the job market with your degree in psychology. You'll learn
that
a degree in psychology provides you with many marketable skills that
employer's
look for such as social skills, personal skills, communication skills,
information gathering/processing skills, and numerical/computer skills.
You will prepare a resume for part of the requirement for this class as
well as attend learn how to evaluate job offers, practice interview
questions,
learn what the final selection criteria are for Ph.D. Admission, and
learn
what jobs are available with a bachelor's degree in psychology. You
will
also take the Strong Interest Inventory to assess your interests and
see
if you are on the right track as far as matching your interests with
your
career. One important thing I learned from this class is that
psychology
majors receive the lowest annual salary after graduation than any other
major. Business majors report the highest annual salaries. I don't say
this to turn you away from pursuing a psychology degree; however, it is
just something to keep in mind. I
did find several of the psychology courses to be redundant. For
example,
much of the material I learned in Introduction to Psychology,
Developmental
Psychology, Psychology of Women, Personality, etc overlapped. At times
the content got very boring because I felt like I had learned it all
before.
I also took Anatomy and Psychology and then Behavioral Neuroscience and
Sensation and Perception and felt that a lot of that information was
repetitive. Overall,
I think completing a degree in psychology has pros and cons. The salary
rate for graduating seniors is among the lowest, but you do obtain many
skills, valuable skills, that employers look for in any college
graduate.
Psychology is a broad liberal arts degree that can prepare for many
careers.
My final last words of advice are to get involved! Get involved in as
many
clubs as you can. PsiChi, Psychology Club, are especially relevant for
you, but attend everything you can. At What's News in Medicine,
Science,
and Technology meetings you will discuss new scientific developments in
the news with professors from several different academic departments on
campus. Good luck with your college experience! You
are about to begin the final years of your adolescence. These next few
years will determine the rest of your life. It is up to you, and you
alone,
to make sure that you make the most out of this time. College can be a
lot of fun, but it is also a lot of work. The fact that you were
accepted
in to this University shows that you have the potential to accomplish
anything
you want. Now it is up to you to live up to that potential.
The
University of Scranton, as a whole, is a wonderful institution of
higher
education. There are numerous activities that students are invited to.
These activities are both social and academic. Every few weeks the
school
invites intellectuals from allover the world to speak to the Scranton
community
.There are numerous debates and job fairs held in the Gunster
auditorium.
The University also hosts several dances throughout the school year,
and
has a "coffee house" every Thursday evening. This is like a weakly
student
talent show. I suggest going to this as often as possible. It is a
great
way to meat other students, and to see the many talents possessed by
your
classmates.
Several
members of the faculty work closely with students for faculty student
research
projects. These projects are a great opportunity to develop
relationships
with your teachers. They are also a great way to learn material in away
that it is impossible to learn in a classroom. I suggest that you think
seriously about grouping up with a teacher and participating in one of
these research projects during your sophomore or junior year. Not only
is this a good way to learn more, but it also looks very impressive on
job interviews and on interviews for graduate schools. Entering
college as a psychology major is one of the best decisions you could
have
made. This major opens the door to numerous different opportunities for
you in the real world. Whether you are interested in graduating and
going
to graduate school (for psychology), a doctoral school, or getting a
job
right out of college, this department will prepare you as well as any
psychology
department in the country .Psychology is a great major because it
prepares
you for almost any field you want to work in. For example, in the 2003
graduating class I know psychology majors who are planning on
continuing
in school to seek higher education and I know people who are planning
on
going right out into the working world. Some people are going to
graduate
school for a masters in psychology, others are seeking a PhD, a few of
my classmates are going to grad school to study social work, some of my
classmates are going to law school, I have a friend who is attending
medical
school, and I myself will be attending dental school next fall. Other
psychology
majors plan on working as soon as they graduate college. These people
are
seeking job opportunities in business, psychology, and social work. So
what I am basically trying to tell you is, this department will prepare
you for anything you want to do after graduation, as long as you put
the
work in while you are here. Finally,
I just want to warn you these next four years are going to fly by. Make
the most of your time here. The friendships you are going to make will
last a life time, and so will the information and life skills you are
going
to acquire. Enjoy these next few years, I know that I wish I could be
starting
college all over again. Sincerely, First
to give you a general overview, as a freshman I became a declared
philosophy
major with a 2nd major in psychology. That lasted for two and a half
years.
Then, right before the second half of my junior year I became a
psychology
major with a philosophy minor. Just to let you know, as frustrating as
it can be, I think philosophy is very useful for everyone. In fact, in
case you did not know, psychology actually stems from philosophy. As
far
as making a living for yourself, philosophy is not good to do by it
self
unless you want to teach philosophy at the college level. So, I decided
to keep it as a minor. Anyway, back to my four-year journey.
The
first semester of junior year, I got accepted into the Washington
Semester
"Peace and Conflict Resolution Program." This was through American
University
in Washington D.C. From there I would go with my class, chosen from
allover
the world, to the Balkans, in October of2001 through December. To make
a long story short, September 11th, 2001 happened, and it was obviously
a devastating period. Not only was my class very much in the middle of
that day, but also regular bomb and chemical scares, tornados in D.C.,
as wells as anthrax. After a month of this non-stop action, the
president
of AU decided to cancel our trip to the Balkans. With that said,
Washington
D.C. turned out to be one of the best and scariest places I could think
of, next to the Balkans.
After
D.C., I got accepted to go on the Beijing study abroad Scranton program
(you will definitely hear about this) for the second half of my junior
semester. I talked to everyone I could think of and weighed the pros
and
cons and was still undecided if I should go or not up until the minute
I was forced to give an answer. I decided to come back to Scranton so
that
I could graduate on time. This is when I officially made psychology my
first major. Here is where I also give you one of the best pieces of
advice
you could possibly receive while being a psychology major. If you want
to have the least stressful academic course load in this major then you
must at least follow the recommended courses to take per semester, even
if you do not feel like it, DO IT.
Also, work your
hardest now and over intercessions, so life is easier for you later in
your collegiate career. When
I found out what I had to take in order to graduate, I buckled down,
strapped
on my seat belt and squeezed in 3 years of required psychology courses
in one and a half years. This did not happen because I am a slacker,
but
because changing majors around and having one first instead of second
has
different requirements. Make sure you get the hang of what all that
means,
so this does not happen to you. Do your homework on this stuff (first
and
second majors and required course and electives, etc.)! ! Now
before I close, I want to give you some advice to get you through these
four years at AMH. If you want to do well in school just accept right
now
that AMH is your new home. Learn how to get organized. Also, learn all
the time and stress management skills you can absorb. Give yourself
more
time than you think you need to complete assignments, even if it takes
away from partying. Make sure that you talk to older psychology
students
about professors and classes they have taken. Also, believe what
everyone
has been telling you and get involved. Well, that is all I can fit on
two
pages, good luck, and remember if you could not do it, they would not
have
chosen you to come here. Dear
Freshman Psychology Student, For
the past three years, I have been a member in the University of
Scranton
community. My graduation is approaching rapidly and believe it or not
so
is yours. Each year seems to go faster than the previous and it is
important
to take full advantage of everything that is offered in this period of
your life. There are many things that you should know before you get
into
the full swing of things, but the best part of the college experience
is
not always knowing what to expect and to find your own way. First,
get as involved as possible. My biggest regret about my experience here
is that I did not take full advantage of everything that is here on
campus.
I would highly recommend all the clubs, activities and services that
happen
on campus. The office of career development is a good example of a
service
that is there to help you. Even though I didn't use them for everything
I should have I know people that had great experiences with
them. Second,
make as many friends in the psychology department as possible. It is a
very social place to be. You can make some great friends here and I am
confident that they will be good friends for a long time. You will be
able
to get help when you need it, but there is never any pressure to rely
on
anyone else but yourself. The
psychology department staff is incredible. All the professors are
people
you can go and talk to without feeling threatened. This is something
that
is very important for the intellectual development of any person. I had
an amazing experience with my academic advisor. Since it is a small
department,
chances are that you will have an advisor who is also your professor of
a class. I was a transfer student from Northeastern University in
Boston.
When I came here it didn't look like I would be graduating in four
years.
I was able to come up with a schedule that permitted it with the help
of
my advisor. We worked very hard trying to figure out how I would be
able
to graduate on time. I owe the fact that I am fully graduating to this
advisor. Whenever you have a problem, make sure you take care of it as
soon as possible. Don't wait for the last minute like I did most of the
time. I
think it is important to talk about the classes that you are going to
have
to take. Make sure you get statistics out of the way. If you don't
understand
statistics right from the beginning, make sure you get some help. There
are T A's for that class along with most of them. Research methods is
another
pretty hard class. I would recommend that you concentrate a lot on the
lecture part in the beginning. Once you understand the concepts the lab
will come easily. Don't fall behind in any of your classes because you
need to do a lot and there are weeks that can be very stressful if you
have make up work to do. School
can be very entertaining. You might think that Scranton is boring, but
I guarantee that you will find something to do at any time day or
night.
Find
something that you like to do and figure it into your schedule, this
will
keep you active and take your mind off of school when you don't want to
think about it. I
hope that you enjoy your experience here and that you take advantage of
all the things you can. Best of luck for this year and many other's
that
will follow. Signed, Anonymous Hi
how are you? It is so ironic that you are just coming into the U, and I
have just graduated. I am hoping that you are happy with your decision
to be here, and that so far orientation and everything else hasn't been
too crazy!
I
am writing to you to just give you a little bit of advice that my help
you within the four years that you are here. You are probably either a
Psychology major (obviously if I am writing to you), or you are
undecided
and would like to claim Psychology as your major. If either one of
these
statements applies to you then good for you and I will proceed with
giving
you some really useful advice to get you along for the next four years
of your college experience.
first,
I want to tell you to take as many Psychology electives as possible,
but
make sure you take them later on, so that you finish your major psych
classes
first and get them out of the way. Fundamentals of Psych was definitely
a fun class, and if you just study you should come out of that class
with
at least a B. Beware of Research Methods, regardless of the professor.
It's not a difficult class, but get ready to work harder in this class
than any other. Plus also get ready to deal with all the stress that
handing
something in every week brings. Psych,
because it's very interesting and trust me you'll thank me, even though
you don't know me, when it's over. If you like Statistics, than you
will
rock the class, but otherwise, if you were like me and that is the only
math you had taken in awhile, then get a tutor, trust me they really
help,
and you don't look stupid getting one, you actually look smarter. Plus,
if teachers know that you got a tutor, and your grade improves even
just
a little, they are more likely to put that into consideration when you
are borderline to passing a course. Be
careful with Cognitive and Sensation and Perception, they are really
tough
classes and they require hardcore studying. The same goes with Social
Psych,
make sure you always
study from your notes when it comes to that
class and you will do really well. With
regards to the Psych Department at the U, it's really great. Before I
was
Psychology, my freshmen year I was Political Science, and the
transition
from one major to another couldn't have been easier or much more
helpful,
than all the services the department provided me with. Make sure
befriend
the professors and feel comfortable
talking to them because they really do help you out when you need it,
and
they aren't really as scary as they seem. I'm
glad you've chosen Scranton to become your home for the next four
years;
I hope you enjoy it and get as much out of it as I did. Remember,
hitting
up the books is what you came for, but it's not everything. Get
involved
in as many activities as you think you could handle. Have fun on the
weekends
(but not too much fun if you know what I mean) and meet as many people
as possible, because before you know it, you'll be writing this letter
to the next incoming Psychology Freshmen, and the years will have just
passed you by. Good
look in all of your endeavors and remember that the College experience
is a once in a lifetime thing and you completely make your college
experience,
no one else. Dear
Incoming Psychology Major, Welcome
to the University of Scranton and, more specifically, the Psychology
Department.
In my opinion, you have made a very wise decision in choosing this
department.
Your time here will go fast so enjoy while you can. Along
with everyone else in your life right now, I am going to offer you some
advice. Hopefully, you take my advice seriously since I have already
gone
through everything you will soon encounter. First of all, make sure you
pick a major that you honestly enjoy. I began my time here at the
University
as biology major with hopes of medical school. After a year of classes,
I decided that I didn't belong in the biology department and began to
take
a few psychology classes instead. I instantly loved these classes and
promptly
switched majors. Don't be afraid to switch majors. There's nothing
worse
than being stuck in classes that you honestly do not enjoy. Although
your
parents may have some objections, as did mine, assure them that
everything
will work out in the end. The
next piece of advice to you is one that I learned the hard way. In
college,
your grades matter from the VERY beginning. When I was a bio major, my
grades were not the most outstanding in the class. I didn't think that
a year of sub-par grades would affect anything. I could not have been
more
wrong. Since I had received a scholarship from the University and had
not
achieved the minimal GP A, I was placed on academic probation. I
actually
remained on that list until my senior year .Your GP A is not that
difficult
to drop. It is A LOT harder to pull up your GP A from some bad
semesters.
Please take my experience into consideration and keep on top of your
work
from the very beginning. The
most important thing I could ever tell you though is to ENJOY YOUR TIME
HERE. You literally will never be in this situation ever again. Take
advantage
of those opportunities that will come your way during your time here. I
don't know if you are from the area or somewhere further away. I am
originally
from outside of Philadelphia so I was so excited to finally be away
from
my parents. Some of the hardest weeks I ever went through were right
before
I left for college. Once I got here, I fell into the old habit of "my
parents
aren't here so I'm gonna do anything I want." I have to admit that this
is a lot of fun. Just make sure that it doesn't take over your
life. Make
sure you have time for the stupid things that will happen while you're
here. During my time, I have been in the fountain at the center of
campus
not once but twice. The first was an accident but the second was
definitely
intentional. Another piece of advice Don't hang around for public
safety
to catch you! Make sure to go out on a weeknight when you have classes
the next day. And you'll understand the value of a water bottle the
morning
after a party. Ultimately, just have the time of your life. In
terms of advice specifically related to the psychology department,
there
are some things you should know. Statistics is hard...get a tutor.
Research
Methods lab is not as hard as it looks. There's a ton of work but none
of it is impossible. Get involved in Faculty/Student research. I did
not
do this and am now regretting my choice. The best class in the whole
department,
in my opinion, is Clinical Field Experience. Take advantage of this if
you can. The rest of the classes aren't too bad. Make sure you keep in
touch with the professors, they will help you as much as they can and
they're
actually a lot of fun. I think that's about it with Psychology
advice. During
your time, you'll hear a number of quotes that will try to encompass
the
meaning of college. This is one of my favorites that I just found
recently.
"Quit worrying about the stupid things. You have 4 years to be
irresponsible.
Relax. Work is for people with jobs. You 'll never remember class time,
but you will remember your time hanging out with friends. So, stay out
late, go out on Tuesday when you have a paper due on Wednesday. Spend
money
you don't have. Drink until sunrise. The work never ends...college
does."
Have a great time! From, A
Graduating Psychology Major First
off, congratulations on making it to college and here; you've picked a
good university. This school provides a solid psychology education and
an excellent liberal arts program, so you can get a wide range of
classes
to better understand yourself and life. Also advantageous is that the
professors
don't coddle you here, they treat you as adults and expect you to be
responsible
for your own actions and expect a lot out of you. You'll appreciate
that
when someone does treat you like a child; you'll practically be
offended
by it and dislike them for it. The UofS psychology professors are all
well
trained and experienced in their fields; so don't worry about having
any
incompetent professor. The great thing too is that they are interested
in conducting research with students, which will be key in the
development
of your career as experience.
Now
that you are here, you have an opportunity to find out about yourself
and
what you want to become. The obvious and general comments that would
follow
here are that you should be as active in the academic and social
community
as much as possible while maintaining high grades. Being involved will
make a difference, if you enjoy a sport then join a team or intramural,
join a club if it interests you. Regardless of what you do, being a
part
of something productive and knowing you have things to look forward to
beyond tests and papers will make you time her more rewarding. As well,
your classroom participation does make a difference. Not necessarily by
way of cut deductions or grades, but in class satisfaction. While I
have
no data to support this, it is my and several of my friends belief that
your satisfaction in a class will increase as your positive
participation
increases. You like a class more and are less bored when you feel that
you are active. Most likely because you feel like a leader of the class
and are proud of the extra effort your putting in.
Graduation
may seem far away, but it's a lot closer than you think. The years here
will fly by. Before you know it you will be expected to be looking for
grad schools or a career. To prepare for this, I would heavily suggest
taking the core psychology classes early (if the core classes haven't
been
explained to yet, then don't worry you'll be hearing about them often
and
soon enough). These classes are important because they cover many of
the
major sub-fields of psychology .They will allow you to discover where
your
interests lie and what you want to do with a degree in psychology .Once
you start to gain an idea of what area you want to study, one of the
best
things to do is to find the professor that is educated in that area and
attempt to work with them. They may be able to conduct research with
you,
give advise about career goals, offer additional coursework, have a job
position available for a student like you, or even just offer
recommendations
of books that you should read. I'm sure the professors will be
extremely
willing to work with you if you present them with a serious attitude. I
have learned that even the most intimidating professors here enjoy
being
able to teach and shape their students. That's
really the best advice I can give. The obvious advice of having fun at
parties really doesn't need to be said. Everyone says you're at college
only once so make the most of it, well isn't that obvious. No one comes
to college to purposelessly squander the experience. Grades.
..only a fool wouldn't know how important it is to keep them as high as
possible. They do make a difference to an employer and grad school
admissions.
Just remember that working hard and having fun can both occur. Good
luck
and have fun. Hello!
I'd like to start off by reassuring you that you have made an excellent
choice in choosing the University of Scranton. As a graduating senior,
looking back on the past four years I am filled with enormous gratitude
for all the wonderful experiences, both academic and social, that
Scranton
has afforded me. Now for a few words of wisdom. ..First and foremost,
you
must realize that your undergraduate experience is primarily what you
choose
to make out of it. The psychology department offers countless
opportunities
for you to become "involved." But, in the words of one of our beloved
professors
here, "Don't be a refrigerator light bulb!" In other words, don't rely
on other people to "open the door" in order to turn your light on.
There
will be times, such as when you become interested in doing research, or
becoming a teaching assistant, that it will be up to you to approach a
professor-so do it!
One
great way to get to know the faculty here is to attend the many
departmental
events that take place throughout the year .Some of my favorite
memories
of Scranton take place at the annual holiday dinner held at Chapman
Lake.
Take the time to read the many flyers posted around the department
advertising
student/faculty pizza socials, APSSC Brown Bag lectures, What's News in
Science and Technology, The Annual U of S Psychology conference, Psi
Chi
(the psychology honor society) and Psychology Club meetings. Getting
involved
outside of the classroom can enhance your relationships with both your
professors and your peers.
On
a slightly less enthusiastic note, when it comes to the faculty
advisors
that will help you to make your schedule of classes each semester, some
are much better than others. My experience with advising left me
squeezing
in all of my most difficult psychology classes during senior year .I
wouldn't
call this a tragedy, but I wish I would have known in advance the
importance
of classes such as Behavioral Neuroscience and Conditioning and
Learning,
over classes such as Adulthood and Aging. Which reminds me, get you
hands
on a copy of the Psychology Handbook and take a look at the section
that
lists how highly each class is rated in terms of graduate school
selection.
This is very helpful in determining which of your "Core 8" class pair
to
choose. If you are not happy with your advisor, it is possible to
request
a change, or simply ask other trusted professors about their opinions
on
scheduling. One
of the great things about being a psychology major is that you have a
HUGE
cognate area, which will enable you to rather easily possess a double
major,
minor, or perhaps even both! Depending upon your personals interests
and
career goals, some areas that coincide nicely with a psychology major
are
Criminal Justice, Spanish, Neuroscience and even Philosophy. Speaking
of
personal interests and career goals-do you have any? If not, don't
panic
just yet-you've got some time. Psychology is an excellent major, but
you
should be aware of the relatively limited opportunities that a
bachelor's
degree in psychology will afford you. Many students choose to continue
their education at the masters or doctoral level. Wow-you
just got
here and I'm talking about graduate school! Sorry, I know it's a little
overwhelming. However, it is important to be aware of the time and
effort
that goes into the graduate school application process. In my opinion,
one of the most useful classes in the our curriculum is the Junior
Seminar,
in which your eyes are opened to the reality of life after college, and
the processes involved in both applying to graduate programs and the
job
market. If you are planning on going to graduate school, it is
important
to keep in mind that it is a very competitive process. Grades are
extremely
important, but not everything. Therefore, don't wait until last
semester
senior year to become involved as a research assistant and/or a
teaching
assistant. Perhaps
the best piece of advise that I can give you simply to enjoy your time
here, for it passes much to quickly. College is a time to grow as a
person,
not only in knowledge, but also in appreciation for wisdom, beauty and
truth. What you learn in your books is important, but what you learn
from
other people, both faculty and peers, is unforgettable. Good
Luck! Sincerely, A
Graduating Senior I
can see myself as you are now -- I remember the library desk I sat at
as
I picked three random letters from the previous year's graduating
seniors.
It was four years ago, but it really seems like yesterday. The letters
I read were a comfort but also a source of anxiety, as they described
the
struggles I would encounter in the next four years. However, what I
came
to realize was that these letters are very representational of the
teaching
philosophy in the University of Scranton Psychology Department.
Learning
is a process that requires your fellow students and professors.
Therefore,
in this letter, I would like to leave you with knowledge and lessons
that
I have learned, with the hopes that they will help you in your next
four
years at Scranton.
When
I first got to Scranton, I was immersed in this environment where
everyone
was there to help you. I had "big brothers" and freshman seminars and
retreats
that forced me into the University of Scranton community. I did not
respond
well at first, but looking back I realize that these requirements that
I considered silly really did help me become acclimated in this totally
new environment. I guess I would just say give it all a chance because
it takes time. I know that by Thanksgiving break of my freshman year, I
found myself calling Scranton "home" instead of my real home.
I
believe that the most important thing about the Psychology Department
that
I have learned is that you must involve yourself with the professors
and
fellow students to truly receive a good education. Being more than a
number
in a classroom, I was able to conduct research as an undergraduate and
become a teaching assistant for two classes. My junior year conducting
research was one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences.
There
were times when I dreaded entering the doors of AMH, because I spent so
many nights there. However, my hands-on experience in research and
teaching
was the best way for me to evaluate my future. Throughout high school,
all I wanted to do was become a neuroscientist, working in a lab all
day.
And assuming a similar role while conducting research helped me
recognize
that things aren't always as you imagine them to be. I changed my
career
plans as a result, but I don't regret one night that I trudged my way
down
to AMH. The
biggest hurdle in the psychology curriculum I would have to say is the
Research Methods course of sophomore year. After taking the course and
being a teaching assistant for two years for the lab, I have to say
that
this course makes you realize the value of your fellow students. I
could
not have finished the course without knowing that 30 other people were
writing the same paper until 4:00 in the morning. When you take this
class,
there is nothing more important than sharing and working with your
classmates.
As you learn one thing, you are able to teach it to someone
else--reinforcing
the department's ongoing theme of cooperative learning. Also,
from my own experiences, I think one thing I should recommend to you is
to take advantage of the free space within the psychology major to
experiment
with minors and even second majors. The course requirements for the
psychology
major leave you room to develop a concentration in an area in which you
have an interest. This allows you to branch off from psychology, yet
you
still enhance your education in psychology. Psychology includes so many
facets of human behavior that it can be applied to virtually every
other
discipline in some way. I, for example, was able to also complete a
minor
in art history. Art can embody the most complex human feelings and
emotions,
and I believe that my psychology major and art history minor complement
each other a great deal. Finally,
before I say goodbye, I must recommend that you attend the Holiday
Dinner
in which the psychology faculty and students all get together to cook
and
consume a "traditional" dinner of turkey and stuffing. The food is
amazing,
and it allows you to take a break before the craziness of finals week.
However, along with the rest of your experiences, it will truly show
you
what a family you have during your four years in the University of
Scranton
Psychology Department. Good
luck and best wishes, Greetings
and congratulations on your acceptance and admission into the
University
of Scranton. I would also like to welcome you to the psychology
department.
You are now entering one of the best majors at our school. I
hope you are prepared to do a little work while you are here, because
this
is a major that requires work. I will not lie to you, this is a tough
major.
If you want to party the whole time you at the "U" and still have a
decent
GPA, you might want to consider a communications major. Some
of the classes offered are fairly easy, and some are not so easy. The
more
difficult classes will become evident when you take Statistics. There
are
a few labor intensive classes offered, and that means a lot of time
spent
in Alumni Memorial Hall and the Library. Do not be discouraged, the
faculty
is pretty easy to work with, and they are usually present throughout
the
day. I
am going to give you a warning about a certain professor. Writing this
may get me in trouble with my professor, but you will need this to
survive
the two hardest classes required by the department, Statistics and
Research
Methods. Try not to take ___________ for either of these. He is a good
teacher, but he is the toughest grader in the department. I have even
seen
people cry after some of his exams. I
keep bashing on the Psych Department, but there really is more good
than
bad. I guess the bad just sticks with you. There are many classes
offered
that are fun and stimulating. Abnormal psych and personality were two
of
my favorite classes, and I think most students would enjoy them, so
make
sure you get into those. The department is very "hands on" with the
students,
and there are great activities with the faculty. Make sure you have fun
at poster-fest sophomore or junior year. Take
this letter for no more than it is, my experience in the Psychology
Department.
What I liked and disliked could be different for you. If you get
discouraged
after your first semester don't just change your major. Stick around
and
see if you can find an interest with Psychology, it really is worth it
in the end. Graduate with a degree that means something. If you stay a
Psychology major you will come away from school with an education that
is worth all the money your paying. Later. "Catch
the fever" is a phrase used by one of my psychology professors to
describe
the outlook students should take when referring to their attitudes
about
psychology and learning in general. In essence, this phrase gives good
advice to students to be passionate about psychology. If you are
passionate
about psychology, then by all means, work hard and crave to learn
everything
about this unique discipline. However, if psychology is not your
passion,
then I suggest you find a subject that you can be passionate about and
this will make your college experience much better.
If
you decide to pursue psychology as a major, then take advantage of all
the opportunities available to you. Take the opportunity to partake in
research, participate in an internship, become a member of psychology
club,
and any other psychology-sponsored activity. I did not utilize these
resources
to the fullest extent and I truly believe if I would have, then I would
have made my academic experience much better. Also, get to know your
psychology
professors and become a familiar face around the department.
Learning
about psychology enables me to think in an entirely different manner. I
have acquired a skill that allows me to analyze situations in another
way.
The ability to think in this way will assist me in the reason why I
became
a psychology major in the first place, which is to help people. I am
hoping
all I have learned in psychology will truly help me in my life to
improve
the quality of people's lives. In
summary, the best advice I can give to anew student is to become
involved
in your department, be passionate about psychology, and learn all you
can. Sincerely, A
Psychology major senior Welcome
to the University of Scranton, and specifically to the psychology
major.
I hope my letter finds and helps some of you to make the best of your
time
here. To give you a little information about myself, I am a commuter
student
who has been a psychology major since I began the University of
Scranton
four years ago. I am also involved in the University Honors Program and
part of my letter will be about that, but I hope my advice will be
useful
for all students.
The
most important thing to begin your college experience with is good time
management and course scheduling. Unfortunately, as an incoming student
you can't choose your first semester schedule, also the advising office
is not very helpful because they deal with everyone and don't know in
depth
what each major should be taking. But don't worry; when you're a
sophomore
you'll have your own advisor.
For
now my advice to you is to take at least two psychology courses per
semester.
As you go you'll find that you'll probably be taking more than that,
but
don't drop below two. No one told me that until I was a sophomore and I
had to catch up. Another thing I advise is not to save all your general
education courses until the end. A lot of my friends did this and are
stuck
in situations where they must pass every single one of their last
semester
classes to graduate. I'm not saying that you won't pass, but why put
yourself
in that position. Spread your gen. ed. classes over time, this way if
you
do badly in one you'll have time to take it over. It breaks up the
monotony
of having all psychology classes as well. While
I'm speaking of advisors, let me tell you that advising, and getting to
know your advisor and other professors is very important. I was lucky,
but some professors simply are not good advisors. If you don't like
your
advisor try to switch. Talk to the professor who teaches classes or has
interests in the area you want to have a career in. Chances are they
can
give you the best advice on what you should be taking. I've
always been pretty shy and I was afraid to talk to professors outside
of
class. I
didn't really start until the honors program forced me to. It was the
most
important thing I ever did because it is so important when you're
applying
for grad school or a job and you want good letters of recommendation!
Get
involved with a professor of two. Do research with them, or be a T .A.These
things will help them remember you and make you feel more involved and
comfortable in the department. I
want to talk a little about the honors program. If you have the chance
to join the program there are some great opportunities, but it can also
be very difficult and time consuming. Unfortunately the science
departments
are not very involved with the program, and don't always want to help
you
fill your required tutorials and research thesis. If you do choose
Honors,
do your thesis early, over the summer of your junior year at the
latest.
You won't have time later. To be honest I don't know if I would do the
program again if I had the chance. BUT, some parts of the program are
very
important, fortunately you can do them all without being in honors
! The
first is research. Get involved and do research with a professor. You
may
get a poster or paper authorship and it is essential for your C.V. or
resume.
Tutorials, or "readers" are good too. If something interests you and
you
want to learn more about it ask a professor to do a one on one class
with
you. Finally,
don't wait to start preparing for grad school or a job. Personally I'm
going to grad school, so that's all I can give advice on, but I'm sure
it's always good to be prepared early. If you' re interested in
clinical
psychology, get internship experience at at least two places. Start
your
sophomore year, and look into grad schools your junior year. In my
opinion,
the class called "junior seminar" should be given sophomore year. If
you
can't take it early, ask to sit in on it, or talk to the teacher to get
some early advice on how you should be preparing. Applying for grad
school
was the longest, most effortful and most stressful thing I've ever had
to do. You will not have time to be doing much research or intern
experience
during your senior year if you're applying to grad school so get it
done
early! Now
that I've scared you, I better tell you that I got through ok. I didn't
know the stuff I'm telling you and I still made it, with a little
struggling
here and there, and a few disappointments, and a lot of hard work. But,
I've been accepted and I'm going to grad school in the fall. So don't
worry
about not being perfect. These are just the things I wish someone had
told
me when I started! Good
luck with everything, The
most important thing to remember as an incoming freshman is that the
next
four years are going to be the fastest of your life. My parents warned
me of this and I did not believe them, but please believe me. Enjoy
this
time of your life and do not waste your time here. It will be the
greatest
time of your life. It is also important you realize that you are here
to
attend school. It is possible to have fun and also get your work done.
Keep in mind that this is an expensive investment and you are not
paying
to go on a four-year party binge. Put your work first and there will be
time for fun, believe me. I have had nothing but good experiences here,
and that includes the classroom as well. I declared Psychology as my
major
sophomore year. I have taken class with almost every teacher in this
department
and can honestly tell you the majority of them are great teachers. They
are willing to do anything to help you and want you to do well. If you
are willing to put in the effort, they will make sure that you are
rewarded
properly. I would not want to have any other major in this school. I am
very grateful that I was able to come into contact with many of these
professors.
They are successful in this field and know what they are talking about.
I believe this to be. true for the majority of all the teachers at this
school. The past four years have been the best of my life. I have made
friends and connections that will last my entire life. I always put
school
first, but I have found that there is plenty of time to have fun.
Finding
a balance between the two will allow you to do well and experience
college
at the same time. It is also important to manage your time well. Good
time
management will allow you to get your work done and also have a social
life. I am a strong believer that having a good social life is an
integral
part of college. This does not mean you go out and waste four years,
but
rather meet different people from different places and experience that.
Your good friends from college will stay in contact with you for the
rest
of your life. I would recommend The University of Scranton to anyone. I
hope you make as many good memories I have made attending
Scranton.
As
a senior psychology major I would like to pass on a little advice that
will hopefully save you some headaches and grief. Most of this advice
will
apply to any new student regardless of major, because your experience
as
a psychology major at the University of Scranton is probably going to
be
very different then mine.
I
started out as a biology major and didn't decide to change my major to
psychology until my junior year .It takes a while to get used to be
more
responsible then you are probably accustomed to. Deciding on your major
seems like a very scary thing and it can be but remember, you can
always
change your mind if you want to later on. It is always best to make
your
decision sooner then later, but if you do change your mind after a lot
of time has passed don't feel overwhelmed. Making up the time was not
very
easy, but it definitely can be done, so don't worry if you have doubts
about what you want to do with the next four years, you will figure it
out.
Your
advisors can be of great help, provided that you go to them. I didn't
really
have a psychology advisor but the one that I had through the counseling
center was great, and I wasn't the easiest student in the world to
advise.
I was the student that always forgot advising appointments and was
rushing
around trying to get into classes at the very last possible second. It
is a lot easier if you use the resources provided and try to stick to
the
deadlines given.. That way you can get the classes that you need and
maybe
even a teacher that you would like to have for those dreaded classes
(statistics,
research methods, etc.). Things are a lot easier if you give yourself
enough
time to get them done. Also,
GO TO CLASS!!!! Even if you are late ( except of course those classes
where
you will lose points for missing a part of the class) it is better to
show
up. Skipping a class here and there is inevitable, but don't get sucked
into going to class only once or twice a week. It is very easy to miss
class, get lost, and have a hard time getting back on track. If you do
fall into the trap of missing too much class and falling behind, go and
see your teacher. They will always try to help you and you may be
surprised
at how understanding they can be. After all, they are people too and
remember
what it was like. Also,
make friends with people that are in your classes. It is good to have
friends
that are in different majors, but it is sometimes hard to stay focused
when your friends have lighter work loads then you and can go out every
night of the week. I found that if at least a few of your friends are
studying
for the same tests you can help each other and have a better chance at
staying focused. Notes can be shared and groups can be formed for study
sessions before a test. When you have others around you who are
struggling
with the same things it is less overwhelming. Be sure to talk to other
students about what teachers they recommend for particular classes.
There
are ways to make the most dreaded classes not that terrible if you know
who to take and who not to take. Some classes are going to be difficult
no matter who you have teaching you, but some teachers are just more
accessible
then others. If
a class is giving you trouble go and sign up for a tutor. Tutors are
available
for most classes and are students who have already had the class with
the
same teacher. They can be a big help especially if you are one of those
people who needs a more structured schedule. It allows you to set aside
a specific time for each class and make you stick to at least getting
work
for that particular class done. Above
all don't forget to keep an open mind. Take classes that you are
interested
in even if they don't involve your major. You make just find a minor or
even decide to take a second major. It also helps to like the subject
matter
of the classes that you are taking. It makes studying less of a chore
and
going to class fun and interesting. |