The joys of a Psych course
by Temujin
Yes...well, my amazing sleeping or memory test plans were sadly shelved for 2 big reasons:
1) the arrival at last of Shadow Hearts Covenant
2) the frankly, unamusingly bad timetable of my degree
So, I thought I'd enlighten those who are thinking of doing psychology at university as to what you can expect (in the UK anyway).
by Temujin
Yes...well, my amazing sleeping or memory test plans were sadly shelved for 2 big reasons:
1) the arrival at last of Shadow Hearts Covenant
2) the frankly, unamusingly bad timetable of my degree
So, I thought I'd enlighten those who are thinking of doing psychology at university as to what you can expect (in the UK anyway).
- Lecturers.
Most of your lecturers will know their stuff, but many of them will have a surprising lack in people skills. I refer you to item A) a feminist lecturer telling us she'd "Let the women out first if the room was burning down, the men can bloody well burn." In addition, many lecturers will be the most boring people on the planet (excluding Belgians) so lectures, rarely thrilling, will be boring as hell. My advice is this: find the lecturer who is both clever and helpful, and get in their good books early on, and stay that way. Who knows, it could be their advice and help that gets you a higher pass grade. - Other students.
They will be girls, at least 90%. If you're a guy, get used to not making hilarious jokes or EVER using the term 'slag' unless they know you're joking and they don't mind. However, asking for help is definitely ok and ALWAYS help out if you can, unless the request is ridiculous. Being girls, your reputation as helpful will spread and sooner or later the nice girl you like will ask for help. Also, make sure you get in with a crowd that you like and can assist you if you need it. - The course.
Even if you're a slack bastard, and I am, you'll have tons of bloody stuff to read. Don't slack off, but make sure you take in what you're reading or you're wasting your damn time. Also, if you know you know what you're reading, don't read it, it's a waste of effort. Many lectures are just printed off pages from textbooks. Also, if it isn't for an assessment, consider whether a reading will be useful for you. - Assessments.
- Presentations - don't stress over these, everyone else will be worried too. Get it done a few days in advance if you can and rehearse it, whether you think it's necessary or not. Given the opportunity, go second or third, but not last or first. The first group may make a common mistake you can correct (happened to me, I was 2nd and we changed it), by the last groups you'll be feeling nervous still and the audience will be bored.
- Essays - two skills required, writing and researching. I can write pretty well, but I'm lazy as hell, though trying to correct that. Make sure you do enough research and understand the stuff, then write it up. If possible, swap essays with a friend and critique each other.
- Exams - for multiple choice stuff, memorise it all. If it's 100s of questions it can be done and can help a lot. However, if it isn't going in, just try and remember overarching themes. For essay questions, if you know what they're on, memorise answers to as many as you need, then 2 more, in case the questions turn out to be bloody impossible.
- Lab reports - you'll probably be in a group for this, so make sure you spread the work. If you have a lazy bastard, get rid of them quickly. It may not be nice, but don't sacrifice your own mark for a leech. many drop out in the first year anyway. Also, make sure you have a good idea of your intro, otherwise, once the easy bits are done you'll find yourself with research and writeup to do the night before hand-in.