"I want to be a psychologist": 10 keys to successfully complete a Psychology degree
A few weeks ago we wrote a text to help future students of Psychology to reflect on 10 elementary points about his vocation, some specific doubts about the career, etcetera:
- "Why study Psychology? 10 points that you should value"
However, having enrolled in the race does not make you a good student of Psychology. That is why we have developed this small guide to help you to overcome the studies successfully.
"I want to be a psychologist", a guide to maximize the studies in Psychology
The Psychology , for its versatility and the amount of contributions it can make to different disciplines and areas of life, it is one of the most popular university careers in many countries of the world. However, the lives of students can become harsh if there are no references to follow in these information tidal waves that are usually the Psychology faculties .
If this is your case, this mini-guide will be useful for you "I want to be a psychologist" , with 10 keys to make your stay at the university profitable .
1. Get to study when it's time to start studying
In college you do not have a boss to watch you every day to see if you study , but that does not mean you should not do it. In addition, psychology is a grateful university career, in the sense that who invests time in study and training is rewarded. Now, to know how to make the most of that time, you have to practice.
- Here are some tricks to perform more: "10 tips to study better and more efficiently"
Knowing how to use time well is one of those skills that every student must polish. If you do not, you will see the hours, days and weeks pass by while you things to do it increases and your stress levels do the same. If you think you are not very good at putting the batteries with the study, it may be useful to read the next point.
2. Learn to manage your study time
Okay, you've already made the study a regular practice in your day to day, but ... Are you optimizing well the time you spend?
Maybe you could learn the same thing in half the time, or maybe studying at a certain time is causing you problems. For example, it is known that concentrating on a computer screen just before going to sleep is not good for sleep, and it can cause insomnia due to the light to which you have been exposed.
Also, keep in mind that you will hardly be able to concentrate on the studio for more than 40 minutes in a row, so it's worth it if you do not crush yourself trying to read very long texts. It is also known that getting up from the chair will be good for you to stretch your legs and make you feel better. Studying is fine, But take your breaks!
3. Beware of the Internet!
Internet is a very important tool to find other tools and resources of study, but it is also an inexhaustible source of distractions. Consider studying paper writings to avoid temptation, and go to the computer to consult specific questions.
On the other hand, and as you must have already noticed, the network of networks is overflowing with unreliable information , when they are not crude lies or fabrications. Therefore, when you consult sources on the Internet to complete your psychological theses, keep in mind which references are true and which are not.
4. The slides are not everything
In an ideal world you would not need to emphasize this, but nobody learns only by reading slides . These are a visual support to follow the classes and contain some fundamental concepts, but through them it is impossible to know how these ideas relate to each other, or how the underlying logic of the psychological processes are articulated.
5. The notes are not everything
No, the notes that are taken during the classes they are not enough either . Most of the subjects are also composed of readings that are not explained in class, due to the limited time in which teaching is taught. Plan very seriously to read all the readings that ask you at least once (read and understand them, of course). Further, these readings will help you understand the things that have been said in class, reinforcing the concepts that you are learning in your mind .
6. Read about psychology for pleasure!
The field of study of psychology is a true ocean of information. Thousands of books and articles are published every year about new research in psychology and neurosciences, and If you do not want to spend many hours reading really thick texts, there are excellent books of dissemination (or even websites: do you hear one that is called Psychology and Mind ?) that are waiting for you. You can start by trying with this small list of titles:
- "The 20 best books on psychology that you can not miss"
- "5 books to give to a psychologist for Christmas"
- "5 books on psychology to read in summer"
And if you want to continue deepening and have a profile created on Facebook, do not miss:
- "The 18 best Facebook Groups to learn Psychology"
7. Find people with your same interest in psychology
There are many people who love psychology, and if you go to university you will be in contact with enough. Take advantage of it! An environment of friendships with the same interests that you can make you learn things even if you do not intend it.
You can also follow blogs about psychology , visit study groups, etc. What you need to be in constant contact with the herd!
As for blogs and websites dedicated to psychology and neurosciences, we recently developed a list that may be useful:
- "The 70 best blogs on Psychology"
8. Have a good scientific papers search engine on hand
Surely, by being enrolled in the university you have access to a search engine papers scientists that allows you to consult entire articles without having to pay. Find out what these search engines are and use them! They will be most useful when looking for information and doing well documented work.
9. Do mental exams
Having memorized a text does not mean that you have it is understood . The quantitative is not the same as the qualitative. When you have studied a lesson, entertain yourself by asking possible exam questions. This will help you to detect doubts you did not know you had and to optimize your review time.
10. Baby from other disciplines
Psychology is a very complex discipline, and it straddles many sciences and areas of study. Be immersed in them to have a richer vision of what you study . You can start by reading basics about biology, medicine, philosophy or anthropology ... even if you do not get involved!
Bonus: Enjoy learning
It is ironic that this can be understood as an order, but It is worth remembering that you are studying psychology because you want, because you are interested .
Do not let a bad management of your time make you hate the race. If there are subjects or branches of psychology that do not interest you as much, spend less time than those you do enjoy. You learn best when you learn without stress and without haste, savoring knowledge, and growing intellectually and personally at the same time that you acquire new learnings.
