What to Expect

Psychology students learn about how people think, feel and behave. This is a degree that will prepare you for a variety of careers.

Kimberly Hyam chose to study psychology because she has always been interested in human behavior. Like many students, she took psychology as an elective, then decided to make it her major. "My first semester I was undeclared, but once I began a few psychology classes, I knew that this was for me," she says.

She did co-op and part-time work that enhanced her classroom activities. Her work included caring for the elderly, providing child care and being a companion for those with personality disorders.

Zeno Franco took psychology at the University of California at Riverside. He says he spent most of every day and night either in class or on independent research. Franco was part of the undergraduate honors program, which allows juniors and seniors with a GPA of 3.5 and above the opportunity to conduct research-based projects either with a team or independently.

Franco developed his own research project and worked with two professors, who served as advisors. "Working directly with the faculty is something that is incredibly powerful in honing your skills as a scientist, and is a very special opportunity," he says.

How to Prepare

One thing Hyam suggests is to develop good time management skills. Homework averaged 20 hours a week, and work took up about 15 hours per week. "The better your time management, the more you can do while allowing yourself time to have fun."

She also advises students to take advantage of co-op programs whenever possible. "I got more than I expected from doing co-op. My co-op experience enhanced my academics, and my academics enhanced my co-op," she says.

Franco says psychology students should be prepared for courses in statistics, research methodology and sciences such as chemistry, biology and neuroscience. They should also begin to read psychological literature in order to be familiar with the terminology used by research scientists. Such information is available in a college library.