How to Survive College as a Psychology Major Rachel Diamond Thomas Gottehrer Paul Markowicz

Freshman Year Meet with your advisor This person can help you understand exactly what your “arrow sheet” is all about“arrow sheet” Make sure to not only take general education courses, try to at least take one psychology course (Psych 100 is a pre-requisite for many courses, this should be the first psychology course you take) Become involved on campus Each year our school spends thousands of dollars bringing different speakers to campus…Enjoy them! There are hundreds of different clubs…try to become involved in at least one (Psychology Club, Psi Chi, etc.)clubs Make a Plan For Yourself Learn valuable time management skills Block out time each night to study and do your homework Don’t let yourself fall behind. Catching up is not as easy in college as it was in high school If you are in need of extra help, the College Writing Center offers tutors free of charge

Sophomore Year  Relations With Teachers  If you plan on attending graduate school one day, you will need a minimum of two letters of recommendation from your teachers. This would be a good time to begin cementing long lasting relations with these teachersteachers  Class Selection  Make sure to continue fulfilling your general education requirements while at the same time continuing to take 200 and 300 level courses  Research and Volunteer Work  Get involved both on and off campus  Many teachers are looking for help with research. This is a great way to gain experience within the field

Sophomore Year: Continued  Resumes  Make sure to keep a record of everything you are involved in  If you have any questions on how to write a resume be sure to visit the Careers Office in Netzer  Resume Tips Resume Tips  Start thinking about your future  Begin to think about where you see yourself in two years  Will you be attending graduate school, working, etc.?  Make sure to attend graduate school and career fairs on campus. This is a good way to learn about the many options that are available to you.

Junior Year Courses Possibly re-take any courses you have done poorly in Take more 200 and 300 level psychology courses Complete the remainder of your general education courses Don’t become lazy! Stay on top of your work, this is your most crucial year! Internships These are a great way to gain experience within the field Speak to different professors and ask if they are conducting any sort of research Look into becoming a teaching assistant Graduate School Register for the GRE exams in fall if you plan to take them in the spring, or in the spring if you plan to take them over the summer Continue researching graduate schools. Send away for information from schools that you are highly interested in (Fall) Summer is an ideal time to go and visit these graduate schools

Graduate School.. To go or not to go?  Start thinking about graduate schools  Do you want to go to a graduate school?  What area would you like to go for your masters in?  The Career Development Center would love to help you find the right graduate school for you! Go and see them! (Netzer 110)  You will find a great deal of helpful information from the Career Development Center:  Lists of graduate schools that offer your masters program  Postcards that request graduate school information  List of Services List of Services

Senior Year Last Minute Reminders Last Minute Reminders Make sure you have completed all graduation requirements Make sure you have completed all graduation requirements Obtain copies of your transcripts Obtain copies of your transcripts Graduate School Graduate School When you first arrive for the fall semester make sure to ask faculty to write your letters of recommendation When you first arrive for the fall semester make sure to ask faculty to write your letters of recommendation The earlier you ask the more likely they will be willing to write one for you The earlier you ask the more likely they will be willing to write one for you Check deadlines for graduate school applications Check deadlines for graduate school applications Make sure all materials are sent out ahead of time….You do not want to be rushing at the end Make sure all materials are sent out ahead of time….You do not want to be rushing at the end Post Graduation Post Graduation Make sure to stick to your plan as much as possible Make sure to stick to your plan as much as possible Do not let yourself go home and sit on your couch all day Do not let yourself go home and sit on your couch all day You have earned a college degree, go out and make something of yourself! You have earned a college degree, go out and make something of yourself! For further information on any of the topics you have learned about today, read: Preparing for Graduate Study In Psychology: 101 Questions and Answers, By: William Buskist and Thomas R. Sherburne For further information on any of the topics you have learned about today, read: Preparing for Graduate Study In Psychology: 101 Questions and Answers, By: William Buskist and Thomas R. Sherburne

Things we wish we were told throughout our college career, but never were Become involved on campus, it’s a wonderful way to meet all different types of people Become involved on campus, it’s a wonderful way to meet all different types of people Leave your comfort zone! Why not go and introduce yourself to the person who sits behind you in Psych 100, who knows they might turn into your best friend Leave your comfort zone! Why not go and introduce yourself to the person who sits behind you in Psych 100, who knows they might turn into your best friend Go to the Career Development Center as soon as possible Go to the Career Development Center as soon as possible MEET YOUR ADVISOR OR ANY PROFESSOR IN THE FIELD THAT YOU ARE INTERESTED IN MEET YOUR ADVISOR OR ANY PROFESSOR IN THE FIELD THAT YOU ARE INTERESTED IN Enjoy, these are the best four years of your life! Do not take them for granted! Enjoy, these are the best four years of your life! Do not take them for granted!

Upcoming Events You May Find Helpful: (From The Career Development Center)The Career Development Center Graduate and Professional School Fair, Fall 2005, date TBA 200 Days till Graduation, Wednesday, November 3, on the Netzer Quad Job and Internship Fair, Wednesday, March 16, 2005, 1-3 pm, Chase Gym Teacher Recruitment Days, April 14-15, 2005, contact the Career Development Center for more information