Dear Incoming Psychology Major,

            I first want to welcome you to the Psychology Department! You will be spending a great deal of time here over the next four years which I promise will fly. You are lucky to be in a department where any faculty member will be more than willing to help you with anything you may need, so never feel hesitant to ask. In fact, that is a huge piece of advice I will offer to you: Make yourself known to your professors. At a University of this size, you have a huge advantage of being able to know your professors on a personal basis, and vice versa. This will only work to your advantage especially four years from now when you need letters of recommendation for graduate school if you choose to go (just something to think about).

            My second piece of advice I would like to share with you is DO NOT PROCRASTINATE! Say good bye to those days! Now, I am not telling you to study every night for four nights in a row for an exam. However, I have found it extremely helpful and much less stressful to have at least looked my notes over once before the night before the exam. You would be surprised at how much more familiar you are with the material when you do this. Being a psychology major is no cake walk. Psychology is a challenging major but one in which you will learn a great deal.

            Something that was of complete and utter culture shock to me was the amount of reading and research I had to do as a psychology major. Try not to get overwhelmed. Break the reading down into bits and pieces and spread it out over the week. It is much less overwhelming that way and you will retain the information much better. You are going to find that you have more reading and quizzes than most of your friends in other majors so I hope  you will find that breaking down the work makes everything a little easier.

            My last piece of “school work” advice I will give to you is to keep track of your classes as best you can. A class you are interested in may require a pre-requisite which is a class you need to complete before taking the class of interest to you. Ask you’re advisors what you need for all of your classes so that at registration there will be no surprises. Also, certain classes allow you senior year to be eligible for the Practicum/Field Experience. It is a great experience and if you have certain classes completed you will be able to participate in the class. The practicum is the equivalent of an internship to which you receive credits for completing. The practicum is a great experience that will “put a face” to everything you are learning and have learned in your psychology text books.

            If there is anything I regret it would be that I did not get involved in more activities on campus. Freshman year I swam at the University so my time was completely consumed with the swim team, leaving little time to get involved elsewhere. Sophomore year is when I started getting involved with the Psychology Club and junior year with Psi Chi Honor Society. However, there are so many other clubs, activities, and service projects on campus that are definitely worth your while. I highly recommend going on any of the retreats offered through the ministry office. I went on Search during my last semester here and it was an incredible experience. I have heard great things about the other retreats offered as well. There is a freshman retreat called Connections if you are interested.

            Now, enough with the school business, I want to share some fun things you should know about the university. First, take a minute to buy an umbrella. They have them in the book store so this is an easy and smart purchase. I have become convinced that Scranton is the rain capital of the United States. The rain has a tendency to monsoon, so rain boots (if you are a girl) are another necessity if you do not already have a pair. If the forecast says a “chance of rain” it pretty much means “will definitely rain” and you should at least carry the umbrella in your bag so there are no surprises.

            Being on the meal plan at school gives you this great thing called Flex Dollars. Flex is great because you can basically buy anything on campus and it lasts you almost the entire semester. Throughout your four years going to the caf for “late night” will rely solely on your flex dollars, along with most trips to star bucks or java city in the library.

            Finally, the last thing I will say is please enjoy your freshman year. It was by far my favorite year (next to senior year) at the U (another name for the University of Scranton). Most people are matched pretty well with their roommates. My freshman roommate and I are still best friends to this day and we wish we could go back to freshman year so badly because of the amount of fun we had and all of the new experiences we shared together. This year you will learn and grow more than you realize right now. These four years are being handed to you as a “blank slate” (had to through in some psychology terms in here) and it is up to you what you choose to make of them. I hope you fill them with knowledge, new and great experiences, and memories to last you a life time. Good Luck!

May 10, 2009

Dear Incoming Psychology Student:

                Let me first congratulate you on your acceptance to The University of Scranton.  You will find some of the most outgoing and caring classmates here, especially within the Psychology department.  Having gone through four years of the program, I am not only knowledgeable in psychology literature, but have a new perspective on life in general.  Your classmates and staff will help you through any tough situations, and make you want to succeed. 

Personally, I came to Scranton starting out as an Engineering major.  After a year or so I took an intro to Psychology class, and was completely hooked.  Where most fields in science focus on studying the world around us, Psychology explains how we fit into and react to the environment.  Whether your passion is Psychological Disorders, Neuroscience, or any other field of study, people themselves are the subject matter.  There is something much more real about people than turtles, the weather, math, or even language.  By studying patterns of behavior you will see similarities between yourself and others in the world.  You may have even had a similar thought in your lifetime that matches some of the world’s greatest minds. 

If you were to ask me what my favorite class was in the past four years I would not have an answer.  Sensation and Perception would be near the top of the list.  It explains how your body reacts to physical stimuli, and how your brain interprets the information.  For instance, if you ever wondered why the world looks bluer after you have been laying in the sun for an hour, this is the class for you.  If you are someone interested in disorders such as Autism, Tourette’s, and ADHD, then Abnormal Psych is the class of choice.  Bottom line; if you want to know why people react the way they do to the environment, to stress, when a family member dies, if your parents get divorced, or why parents and children always disagree, you have chosen the right major.  For me, I would ultimately like to study criminal minds; counseling is not quite my thing.  Also know that there is more to psychology than just analyzing people. 

Psychology has taught me to see the world from the population’s perspective rather than just my own.  Your developmental history plays a major role in who you are, and influences your day to day actions.  So there is a reason we all act the way we do.  Accepting this fact is the first step in evaluating any person.  For example, conduct disorder is not genetic; it develops from bad environmental cues.  Poor parenting, low social economic status, peer pressure, lack of responsibility, and even poor education are all contributors.  If you love trying to figure people out and wonder why we are all so different, psychology was the correct choice.  My only complaint is regarding statistics, but it is part of the major, as you will soon experience. 

All of the professors at Scranton will go out of their way if you need special attention.  They are extremely intelligent teachers, but also great people to sit and have a conversation with.  Where professors in other majors are knowledgeable in math or history, the professors in the psychology department know people.  Any chance you get to talk with them is an experience in itself.  So my one recommendation to you is this.  Do not just go to class, do the work, and try to get good grades.  Grades are always the main focus for every student, but an A will not change your life.  However, spending a half hour talking with the head of the Neuroscience department will undoubtedly change your life forever.  As psychology is among the youngest sciences today, there is much to be learned, and much to be changed.  Find that one area which interests you most and make a new discovery.  Do research with your favorite professor, and challenge one another.  You are leaving the world of business and technology behind to better understand human behavior.  So when learning something new, look how it exists in the environment around you, and see what should be changed.  Make a contribution.

I wish you the best of luck in the next four years.  There are always going to be classes you dislike, but don’t let them stop you from success.  Take a harder course, challenge yourself; it is not meant to be easy.  Psychology will change your whole perspective on how you view the world, so hold on tight, it’s an exciting ride. 

Best of Luck,

Dear incoming psychology freshmen,

            First off I would like to congratulate you on getting into the University of Scranton.  It is a great accomplishment to go to college, especially a well known, prestigious college such as Scranton.  You will receive an excellent education here at Scranton, so take advantage of it.  Eighty percent of our graduates are employed within one year of graduating, so remember that when you ask yourself why you chose to come to Scranton.  There is so much advice that I want to give you but there will never be enough time to tell you everything you need to know about how to survive in college, you do have to figure some things out on your own. 

Freshman seminar is without a doubt your most important class your first semester.  It is in this class that you will learn everything you need to know about the psychology major along with everything you need to know about how to survive in college.  Make sure that you attend every class because if you miss one, I can guarantee you that you will be missing something important.  In freshmen seminar, you will learn how to make your schedule, how to manage your time, how to study, how to write papers worthy of an A, and most importantly you will get to know other psychology majors.  The people in your freshman seminar class are the people who you will be spending the next four years with; in classes, in the lab, at psychology conferences, in psychology club, etc.  Make sure you get to know your classmates because I can tell you now that you will want someone to study with, someone to get notes from, and someone to explain a new concept to you that you don’t understand.

The most valuable tool that you will be forced to learn in college is how to manage your time.  College is very different from high school in terms of the work load.  You need to learn how to manage your time so you are not cramming for every exam or falling behind in your readings for every class.  I know you are in a new environment and you want to explore and meet new people, but you have to figure out how to balance your social life and your school work.  It will be difficult at first, but you must not let yourself start falling behind in classes because trust me; you will never fully catch up.  The worst feeling is when you have to do all the reading on top of studying the night before an exam. 

In order to ensure that you manage your time, I advise that everyone purchase a planner at the bookstore.  Once you get all of your syllabi for your classes, write out all of your exams, assignments, and papers in your planner, this way you can look ahead and start things before they are due.  I personally cannot live without my planner.  I look through it every day just so I know what exams, assignments, and papers I have coming up so I can better prepare for them.

Another important piece of advice that I have for you is do not procrastinate!  Procrastinating is the worst thing you can do in college.  Believe it or not, writing papers, reading, and studying for exams will take you much longer than it did in high school.  Do not start a paper the night before it is due because you will most likely not do well.  It feels amazing not to have to stay up until 3am finishing a paper the night before it’s due while all of your classmates are pulling all nighters.  The earlier you start, the more effort and thought you put into the paper, the better grade you will get.  Do no start studying for a big exam the night before either because you will not do well.  Exams in college cover a lot more material than your exams in high school did, so you need to allow more time for yourself to study and learn the material.

The professors at Scranton are great, especially the psychology professors.  Each and every one of them is willing to help you with anything you need, at any time.  Their doors are always open and they are great at getting back to you through email.  Do not be afraid to pop into a professor’s office for help, or even just to chat.  You want to get to know your professors because you will need recommendations from them if and when you decide to apply to graduate school or apply for jobs.  The professors are not scary and won’t bite if you ask a question, so do not hesitate to start a conversation with them.

Lastly I want to wish you all the best of luck in your four years here at the University of Scranton, you will have a blast.  Remember to always be yourself and you will succeed in whatever you do.  You will meet many great friends in college; best friends, maybe even a spouse, so cherish the relationships you make in college, because they will be the ones that last a lifetime.  College is the best four years of your life, so enjoy it now, while you can.

Dear New Psychology Major,

I am writing this letter to you, as a senior psychology major senior three weeks before graduation. Lately, I have been going through a conglomeration of feelings such as; excitement for what is to come, mild nervousness for the next step, and nostalgia towards the memories I have made over the past four years.  You may share those same feelings at this point in your new college career.   It was difficult to decide upon which advice I should expel unto you.  However, I can begin by saying; it was an amazing experience.  I have learned a great deal about myself.  I have made friends and memories that I will never forget. 

I spent my freshmen year focusing on nothing but academics.  However, I quickly learned there is more to the college experience than just studying.  I do not recommend studying 24/7, because you will miss out on all the other things that will add to your college experience.  It’s difficult to juggle it all in the beginning, but over time and with maturity you will learn.  I would have driven myself crazy amongst all my work if I didn’t set aside some down time and relaxation.  Whether it consisted of going to the gym, reading a book for leisure, watching a good movie, or simply hanging out with friends; Please make time to have fun! Part of the fine Jesuit experience is to achieve a well rounded education, which also enriches the mind, body, and soul of the student.  I recommend to become involved with at least one or two clubs during the first semester.  As you develop a better handle on your time management, be sure to become more involved.  Throughout my time here at the university I have been involved in a number of activities such as, Health Professions Organization (HPO), Campus Ministries, Psychology Club, University of Scranton Programming Board (USPB), the faculty student research program (FSRP), and undergraduate research for credit.  Your job here is to be a student, and if you do it well, you’ll be rewarded. 

Originally, I began my first year here as a biology major.  Personally, it was challenging, and at that point in time, it was a major I thought would best benefit my career goal.  During that time I was taking an introductory class to psychology entitled Fundamentals of Psychology, and that is where it began.  To make a switch from one major to another is something you have to decide for yourself; above all you have to do what is best for you and follow your heart to where your true interests lie.  

I am glad that I switched into the psychology major.  The professors from the psychology department are extremely knowledgeable. Take the time to get to know them!  They are your teachers, but they can also be great friends and mentors that can help guide you toward your goals. Also, befriend upperclassmen in your major.  We don’t bite!  With a combination of advice you can receive from teachers and upperclassmen you should be able to get all the information you need.       

 A great way to get to know your teachers is to participate in undergraduate research.  I took part in FSRP and undergraduate research in my senior year.  Yes, it’s true you do put in a fair amount of work yet, you learn so much in return.  My current research project is nearing its end I am excited to have completed a research project.  My teacher and I will hopefully submit it later in the year for admission to a psychology conference. 

Two of the most helpful books you will receive  as a psychology major will be the one welcoming you into the psychology department and then later on the Insider’s Guide to Graduate programs in Clinical and Counseling Psychology; By Mayne, Norcross, and Sayette.  I was given the first book in my sophomore year and the second in my junior year. I still have both to this day.  They certainly come in handy, with regard to helpful tips in planning your curriculum, and valuable information concerning graduate school.  On the subject of graduate school, I must say that it may seem too far away to even concern yourself with preparation but you need to use your time at the university wisely and make it count, scholastically and socially.  It is never too early to get started researching graduate schools and to discover where your interests in psychology may lie.  So get off on the right foot and work your hardest to do the best you can.  Pursue a career in which your passion lies.  Your happiness comes first.  I can speak to this from my own personal experience.  I thought I knew exactly what I wanted to do when I arrived here as a freshmen I gave it my best shot, but in the end I found a better plan.  I am a true believer that everything does happen for a reason and that it all works itself out.   My only regret is that I wish I had figured that out sooner and switched into pursuing a degree in psychology earlier. I completely understand that the transition from high school to college can be a challenging experience.  If you are ever in doubt never be afraid to reach out and seek someone’s advice.  There are probably at least ten other people that are experiencing something similar. It’s ok to be a little unsure in the beginning

Another helpful tip would be if you are committed to this major, make time to really explore some of the course your course options.   A few courses have pre-requisites you must take in order to take a desired class.  It’s good to have a game plan, of course there might be detours along the way, but remain strong and always believe in yourself.  I believe this reference from the 2006 edition that welcomed students into the psychology department sums it up well,  “We hope that… as lifetime students of psychology, will actualize the latin origins of student, which is studere, meaning to be zealous, to aspire, to be eager, to desire.  In short, catch the fever of psychology!”  My wish for you is all that and more during your college career. 

Letter to Freshmen Psychology Majors

The question, as it stands, is what, if anything, can a graduating senior in psychology tell to an incoming freshman that will serve some good. I myself did not have the benefit of receiving a letter like this, as I transferred into the major as a sophomore, so clearly you have one-up on me! Step one towards your degree is now complete…unless you change your mind later, but we’ll get to that in a minute. As I reflect on my time here, sitting in the Pro Deo room at 10 o’clock one rather dreary Sunday morning, I can think of four things that I wish I had known when I began here.

First: be open to change. You have chosen a major coming in to school, as I had, but having mentioned that I transferred into Psychology, therefore Psychology was obviously not what I had first chosen. When I started in 2005 I tried to “shop around,” see what kind of classes I would like to take as my free electives, or possibly add as a minor. By doing so, I found that I enjoyed my “free” classes in psychology much more than the classes in my major, so out went the old major, and in came the new. Things will get tough, and when they do it is not a cause to change your plans; however if you know that what you are doing will not make you happy, in the academic field or in your personal life, let it change.

Lets see, still dreary here in the Pro Deo, still before noon, and my coffee cup is getting dismally low. Speaking of coffee, or tea, or whatever you’re beverage of choice is, get to know the local fare. There’s a Dunkin’ Donuts, Gerrities, and Manning’s Ice Cream up on Meadow Ave., which is a hike, so make friends with an upper-classman that has a car. I am also a major fan of Northern Light Espresso Bar (NLEB), down on Spruce Street by the courthouse, just a hop-skip-and jump away from AMH! When you go, make sure you get a reloadable NLEB card, you get a student discount, and can earn a free drink for every ten purchased. The card also works similar to your Royal Card, just put money on it and have some coffee, or tea, or Ice Rage’s. This, in a rather roundabout way that some professors reading this may not approve of, brings me to my second point: you go to college (or university if you want to sound from across the pond) in Scranton, but many of us never try and identify with the city itself. Granted, it has seen better days, but take the time to get to know downtown, take a trip into Dunmore with friends, Wilkes-Barre is only a twenty-minute drive! Tour the coal mine, see the iron furnaces, hike in Lackawanna State Park, take pictures in Nay Aug, and don’t go cliff jumping! There is more to this city than the University and the Office, so take the time to have some pride for the area that’s giving you your education. That way, when someone tries to tell you that New York City’s parade day is better than ours, you can correct him or her.

I was once told that no matter what happens, your true friends would be there for you. It is my current belief that whom ever first uttered this phrase needs to be taken to woodshed and beaten for setting humanity back a generation or two. Your friends will be there for you, but only if they are still your friends. I have seen too many young students obsess over their work, packing their schedules so full with academics, service, and who knows what else, that they have no time for their friends. So, point number three is make time for your friends. I’m not trying to say that you should neglect your studies, but at the very least you’re going to need to eat, so set a dinnertime and you and all your friends eat together. My friends and I used to eat at noon and five, third floor DeNaples, and were rather territorial about our tables. We sat at the same ones every day, and if you take them away from us you would expect to get the stink-eye for the entire meal. No matter how busy we had been, we always tried to eat together. I’ve also noticed that the further you get in school, the greater appreciation to have for childhood memories, Disney movies, coloring books, flying kites, that sort of think. So, keeping with that though, if I could sum up college friends in just a few words, I would be remiss if I didn’t say that my good buddy Winnie the Pooh didn’t do it first. Pooh bear said: “You can't stay in your corner of the forest waiting for others to come to you. You have to go to them sometimes."

It’s now 4 o’clock in the afternoon, and I have been waiting all day to add the final section to this letter, hoping that the day would allow for a semi-poignant statement. College, as I’m sure you’ve been told, will hold some of the best times of your life. What too many people ignore is that it will also hold some of the most stressful, unhappy times as well. Perseverance, relationships, work ethic, anything you can think of will be tested during your tenure here. You will be miserable, then happy, and then probably miserable again. You will have the height of success, but may fail once in a while, but I hope not at all. I am please to tell you that the sun finally broke through the clouds and is shining beautifully into the library, highlighting the motes of dust that filter through the stacks (I’m now on the 5^th floor, by the way, because there are no stacks in the Pro Deo room). That, ladies and gentlemen, is the most important thing I have learned while I was here. Even though the day may be cold and dreary, given time, the sun will always shine through the clouds.

Dear Incoming Psychology Student,

            I am a graduating senior from the Class of 2009.  For my final assignment as a psychology major, I have been asked to write to a prospective incoming psychology major to offer some advice for the years ahead of you at the University of Scranton.  Because I (personally) would not find useful receiving a litany of "words of wisdom" from an anonymous senior, I feel that I should first provide you with some background information about me--since I may not fit the mold of the typical psychology major.

            I initially attended a different university where I was enrolled in a pre-med track with a major in biology.  When I realized I would probably never be happy working as a medical doctor, I decided to transfer to the University of Scranton and explore many classes in different fields to determine what fascinated me the most.  Incidentally, at the end of my sophomore year, I had applied and nearly transferred to a third university to major in film and linguistics--though I ultimately decided to stay at Scranton and have not regretted this decision.  I'm writing to you now as a fifth-year senior with double majors in psychology and philosophy and double minors in French and communication.  I am also writing with the assumption that you have selected this field because you have a genuine interest in psychology and are more concerned with the pursuit of knowledge than the pursuit of grades.  I will continue now with the proviso that you take whatever advice I offer with a grain of salt; I can speak only from my own experience and would not want to generalize my advice to all psychology majors.

            My first recommendation is that you genuinely try to take advantage of your liberal arts education.  In your time here, you will surely be forced to suffer classes in fields in which you lack any interest.  Because you're going to be required to take these courses regardless of whether you want to or not, at least try to approach them with an optimistic attitude.  I must admit that being forced to study topics outside my general scope of interests has been one of the most pivotal means by which I've grown intellectually while at Scranton--even if it meant I was forced against my will to study topics I otherwise would have willfully avoided for the rest of my life.  For example, if I had my way, I would have never studied symbolic logic or Catholic theology--but I am much more well-rounded for having done so (if only because I now possess the adequate knowledge and tools to criticize these fields).  Though my reasoning here may not be terribly sound, my perspective is this:  instead of immediately dismissing a subject as worthless and of no practical use, try to appreciate that if people have dedicated their entire lives to obsessively study this arcane field, they must have discovered something worthwhile in that field.  Try tapping into this perspective and attempt to see what makes it valuable--even if you may never "use it" again in your life.  Also, when taking these mandatory courses (which tend to be taught by many different professors), do some research and ask around to find out which professor is best.  Please also be aware that if you are a freshman or sophomore, you may qualify to take an exemption test to fulfill certain required courses (for example, I avoided taking a mandatory public speaking course by successfully completing an exemption exam).

             Secondly, I recommend that you pay close attention to each syllabus you get at the beginning of the semester.  The syllabus essentially lays out the ground rules for how the class will operate--both you and (importantly) the professor are obligated to follow it closely.  I find that the first couple of weeks of each semester can be a bit overwhelming until I get into the "groove," understanding how each class will operate.  The syllabus will prepare you for what to expect--and (perhaps most importantly) let you know how many classes you can skip without getting penalized.

            I also recommend that you try to establish a working relationship with each of your professors--which is particularly easy to do within the psychology major (as the class sizes tend not to be overwhelmingly large).  This is not to say that you should "suck up" to get a good grade; rather, make an effort to discuss the material and questions you might have with each of your professors.  If you show that you're genuinely interested in the material, I've found that most professors are willing to engage in interesting discussions and perhaps offer recommendations for how you can further your study.  I've also found that I am much more of an active learner (i.e., I care a lot more about the class) when I don't feel like I'm part of a faceless mass.  Furthermore, you may be able to single out certain professors who can act as your mentor--and (at least in the psychology major) may ask you to serve as their teaching assistant or research collaborator (both particularly invaluable if you plan to continue pursuing psychology after you receive your undergraduate degree).

            Finally, I recommend that you try to actively engage yourself as much as possible with activities on campus.  We have a decently large number of clubs and other activities occurring on a regular basis.  You simply have to seek them out (e.g., make sure to read "Royal Mail" bulletins and keep an eye out on flyers posted around campus).  If you have a specific interest and a club does not yet exist to accommodate it, it's surprisingly easy to petition the student council to create a new one.

            So allow me to wish you the best of luck in your undergraduate years here at the University of Scranton!

Dear Incoming Psychology Major,

            Congratulations deciding on your major! I know that it took me a while before I decided that I would have psychology as my main focus and I have to say that I have been happy with that decision.  Although I cannot tell you that a major in psychology will be a breeze, it will be a lot of fun and through your classes, you will be able to tell section of psychology is of most interest to you.  It is definitely and exciting time and something that should be looked forward to with anticipation.  Some of the course work to come may seem daunting, but don’t let it scare you because finding help is not at all a struggle.  There will always being someone willing to help you.

            Every teacher that I have encountered in the Psychology department has always been such an enormous help to me.  They are always willing to talk to you and help you, even if they are not your advisor or even your current teacher.  Although every teacher has their own style of teaching that may or may not suit your learning style, they are always available to go to for extra help and to try and make understanding easier for you.  From my own personal experience, I have to say that the psychology department as a whole is such an open, communicative environment in comparison to other departments.  You will definitely have a lot of fun getting to know the department and seeing how much everyone has to offer.

            Go to all your classes!  This is not only the easiest thing to do but also one of the best ways to learn and understand material.  Going to class is the easy part but making the most of it is what counts.  When there are group projects within your class, always contribute!  This will not only be recognizable to your professor but will be a great way to learn how to work together with people.  This is something that is important in a classroom setting as well as when you enter into the work world.  Everything within the class is worth giving a chance and will definitely be beneficial to you in the long run.

            I also must tell you that I definitely recommend trying to meet fellow classmates in the psychology major.  Unfortunately, this was not something that I focused on very much because I had friends in other majors.  I wish I could have changed this one thing because I believe it would have made class and learning a much easier thing.  One reason, among many others, is to try to meet students within your major is because learning through talking with classmates can be such a great way to help you understand information more clearly.  Another thing that I did not partake in and wish that I had was the psychology club.  The club had such easy meeting times and seemed like it would have been a fun activity to join!  Not only could this be a way to help you meet other psychology majors but, as a senior, I can tell you that participating in activities is something that you want to be able to say you did throughout your college experience.

            Regarding advice other than for your major, I do think it is important to get to know people and places around campus.  Try to meet as many different people as possible.  Listen to differences in opinion and learn how to express your own opinions as well.  Being able to see a different way of looking at situations will help you grow so much as a person and really broaden your knowledge.  Even when some issues may turn controversial, it is nice and sometimes refreshing to hear a different point of view.  In many instances you will learn things that you had never even heard before.  Differences in opinion are what makes every unique and you will meet so many people are have the same opinions as you as well as different ones.  You can learn something from everyone!

            As important it is to focus on school work and get good grades, it is also important to know how to relax and have fun, so don’t get overly wrapped up in homework and stress.  Meet tons of people, experience new situations, and find the person inside of you and who you want to be.  The University of Scranton is such a great environment with friendly people and professors who are always there for you. 

Good Luck!

Sincerely,

A Graduating Psychology Major

Dear Incoming Psychology Student,

                Congratulations on being accepted and choosing the University of Scranton. If you keep up with the reading and work, psychology can be quite easy. Almost all of the classes have recurring themes and ideas and cross over into other areas, such as Sociology and even some business classes, such as Management and Marketing. If you graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, you must be prepared to go on to graduate school.

                Now, for the purpose of my letter: to give you advice for your college career. I know many people have probably told you that your freshmen year is one of the most important – it’s true. The first semester, I feel, is one of the most important and lays the framework for the rest of your college career, I know this from experience. When I first started at the University, I was a Biochemistry major. I lived on campus even though I only lived two blocks away from school. During this semester, I partied a little too much, hardly went to class, and practically never did my work. I almost failed out, and let me tell you, it is extremely hard to bring your GPA back from a 1.8. After that semester, the University kept a close eye on me and put me into a goal attainment program, I wasn’t allowed to take more than 12 credits a semester, had monthly meetings with my advisors, but the worst of all was the look that my parents gave me, after I told them I had lost my scholarship. After four years and a lot of work, I have managed to bring my GPA up, but nowhere near what I want it to be. One of my biggest regrets is that I didn’t listen to the people who knew better than I. I would like to tell you about housing, but unfortunately, I moved off campus after my first semester and moved back home.

                After your first semester, you get to design your schedule; it is worth having busy Tuesdays and Thursdays to only take one or so classes on Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays. Every semester or so, then University Psychology department offers a few night classes that are about three hours long. If you don’t like sitting in a window-less room for extend periods of time, don’t take them. Use rate-my-professor.com or ask other people who they have taken, when registering. This could help avoid a few surprises in work load and the type of professor you register with. Remember, all professors are still human and some can be quirky.

                Extracurricular activities are also something you should look into, they can be a great way for you to meet people, keep off the freshmen 15, and help with your resume. Everything from now until the end of your life will help you with your resume. The school offers many clubs, sports, intern and research opportunities. Take them! You should use your school; after all you are paying about $30,000 a year. The University believes that to become “men and women for others” is to do service work, joining a club can help you accomplish this. Many of the professors on campus are willing to help you, but most often you have to show that you are willing to help yourself, meaning, show up to class on time and not in your pajamas, this shows a lack of respect, to the professor, your classmates, and to yourself. All professors offer office hours, which can be great help. But, if you are just not getting what the professor is saying and could use some help, try CTLE. The Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence is located on the fifth floor of Saint Thomas hall and you sign up for a tutor on-line. CTLE also houses the writing center, which will help you with your papers. Career services, located on Mulberry Street, can help you immensely with how to write your resume, finding a job, and they hold different workshops to help you along the way.

                Scranton has some decent and reasonable restaurants around. The best place for a cheese steak (remember this is Scranton) is at Pieatros’, Granteed’s pizza is good, but City Slice offers the best deal after 1 in the morning.

                All in all remember that you are here to learn, to meet people that you will most probably know for the rest of your life, and, of course, to become men and women for others. 

Good Luck! 

Sincerely,

Dear Incoming Psychology Freshman,

            Congratulations and welcome to The University of Scranton! I am writing this to you as I enter my last week of classes at the University. I know you have probably received a lot of advice about going to college, but I’m writing to give you a little more as someone who has experienced exactly what you are about to go through. Some of it might sound clique, but in this case, the cliques seem to be the most helpful.

            Get Involved. I’m sure you have heard this probably a thousand times. But it is really a good thing to do for so many reasons. Not only does it give you something to do (because there is a lot of free time in college), but it helps you meet other people who are interested in the same things you are, get to know your professors, and helps build up your resume. The Psychology department in particular has two great clubs that host some great events. The Psychology Club has three great community service projects hat include going to the Journey for the Disabled and donating Christmas presents to children in the community. They also host the Psychology department Holiday Dinner (which is another great chance to get to know your professors), and help with the Senior Social. The other club in the department APSSC (American Psychological Society Student Caucus) organizes two of the departments biggest events, Kid’s Judge Neuroscience and the Psychology conference. 

            I would recommend joining at least one, if not both of those clubs. I think it’s also important to join clubs outside your major too. I would recommend the criminal justice club if you have an interest in the area. They do fun things like take field trips to Philadelphia, Washington D. C., and Dorney Park. They also host interesting speakers, bring crime dogs to campus, and give back to the community. Really consider getting involved on campus. Even if none of these clubs sound interesting to you, there are probably about 50 others and I’m sure you can find one that does peak your interest.

            Know Your Professors. In your first week of classes, I’m sure you will sit at your desk, being intimidated by your teacher, and wondering how you will ever get up the nerve to talk to your professor. I know I did. However, I promise you, the professors at The University of Scranton want to help you, get to know you, and see you succeed. You will hear many professors almost beg you to visit them during their office hours, and even if you don’t need help, take them up on it! Eventually you are going to need recommendations from at three professors, and the only way to ensure those recommendations are good is to give professors a chance to get to know you. This is especially true in the Psychology department. Almost all of the professors in the Psychology department want to get to know you better because they need your help just like you will eventually need theirs. As the graduating class leaves, there are TA positions, club officer positions, and research assistant positions that need to be filled. The people professors want to fill those positions are you guys! So get to know your professors, they can be valuable resources and offer great opportunities.

            Study, but Have Fun. You’re in college now. Obviously you are going to have to study more than you did in high school. But don’t forget to have fun. You’re in college now! Yes, there are going to be some nights where the only thing you can do is study because you have what feels like a hundred things due the next day. But there are some nights that it is okay to put that paper off for another hour. College is about so much more than the grades. It is where you are going to grow up, find out who you really are, who you really want to be, and if you allow yourself to, meet the friends you will have for the rest of your life. The best advice I can give to being able to balance life with school is learn time management. If you have a big paper due, start it the week before and do a little bit every night. Than you don’t have to spend all of Sunday night, when your friends are watching that great TV show, writing a paper. You’ll already have it done! There is no need to sacrifice life for school or school for life. Use some smart time management and it’s easy to have them both.

            My last piece of advice is to appreciate college and enjoy every minute. Sitting here about to start my last week of classes at The University of Scranton forever, I can not believe how fast it went by. You think high school went by quickly? This will go even faster and as you progress through each year here, time will slip away more quickly. So remember to step back, reflect, and enjoy. You only get this chance once.

            Sincerely,

                        Graduating Psychology Senior