2 answers
Jillian
Student
Rancho Santa Margarita, California
1
Question
Asked
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When studying for a Psychology degree, what required course surprised you by being more helpful and applicable than you expected??
There are some courses required that look like they may be boring. I'm hoping that others with experience will give insight to courses that surprised them by being helpful or insightful. #Spring25
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2 answers
Ethel Casey
Product Builder
6
Answers
Galway
Updated
Ethel’s Answer
Hi Jillian,
That's a great question!
Honestly, I was dreading the statistics module when I first saw it on the course outline - maths has never been my strong suit and the idea of using software like SPSS or Jamovi sounded dry and overly technical. But it ended up being one of the most unexpectedly useful and empowering parts of the course.
Learning statistics didn’t just help me understand research papers better - it gave me the tools to critically evaluate the strength of the evidence behind so many psychological claims, both academic and mainstream. I found myself questioning things like media headlines, wellness trends, and even research cited in lectures, because I could now understand effect sizes, p-values, and confidence intervals. That’s a power I didn’t know I needed!
The software side, surprisingly, made things easier. Once I got over the initial learning curve, SPSS (or whichever software you're using) turned out to be less about "doing maths" and more about understanding patterns in human behaviour through data. It became less about formulas and more about asking and answering questions like: Does this intervention actually help? Is this difference meaningful or just statistical noise?
Also, the hands-on experience helped me with my own research ideas and improved how I think about designing studies ethically and effectively. So if statistics seems dull or intimidating now - give it a chance. It might just end up being the most practically useful course you take.
That's a great question!
Honestly, I was dreading the statistics module when I first saw it on the course outline - maths has never been my strong suit and the idea of using software like SPSS or Jamovi sounded dry and overly technical. But it ended up being one of the most unexpectedly useful and empowering parts of the course.
Learning statistics didn’t just help me understand research papers better - it gave me the tools to critically evaluate the strength of the evidence behind so many psychological claims, both academic and mainstream. I found myself questioning things like media headlines, wellness trends, and even research cited in lectures, because I could now understand effect sizes, p-values, and confidence intervals. That’s a power I didn’t know I needed!
The software side, surprisingly, made things easier. Once I got over the initial learning curve, SPSS (or whichever software you're using) turned out to be less about "doing maths" and more about understanding patterns in human behaviour through data. It became less about formulas and more about asking and answering questions like: Does this intervention actually help? Is this difference meaningful or just statistical noise?
Also, the hands-on experience helped me with my own research ideas and improved how I think about designing studies ethically and effectively. So if statistics seems dull or intimidating now - give it a chance. It might just end up being the most practically useful course you take.
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
1205
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hello Jillian,
Good question! Many psychology students have experienced the same thing: certain courses appear uninteresting at first, but turn out to be very helpful. Research Methods in Psychology and Statistics are two frequently discussed courses. Although it may initially appear dull or technical, it actually equips you with vital skills to understand research methodology, evaluate research, and identify false information, skills that are extremely helpful in both everyday life and psychological work.
Abnormal Psychology is another course that frequently surprises students. Because it gives you a deeper understanding of different mental health conditions and frequently changes the way people think about mental illness, stigma, and treatment, it's usually quite interesting. Social psychology and developmental psychology courses, for example, are also known to be surprisingly thought-provoking and relatable, particularly when you begin to realize how the theories relate to your own relationships, choices, and even social media usage.
Therefore, even while a class may seem uninteresting on paper, it may provide you with skills, viewpoints, or insights that you will remember for years to come. You never know what might become your favorite, so have an open mind!
Best wishes!
Good question! Many psychology students have experienced the same thing: certain courses appear uninteresting at first, but turn out to be very helpful. Research Methods in Psychology and Statistics are two frequently discussed courses. Although it may initially appear dull or technical, it actually equips you with vital skills to understand research methodology, evaluate research, and identify false information, skills that are extremely helpful in both everyday life and psychological work.
Abnormal Psychology is another course that frequently surprises students. Because it gives you a deeper understanding of different mental health conditions and frequently changes the way people think about mental illness, stigma, and treatment, it's usually quite interesting. Social psychology and developmental psychology courses, for example, are also known to be surprisingly thought-provoking and relatable, particularly when you begin to realize how the theories relate to your own relationships, choices, and even social media usage.
Therefore, even while a class may seem uninteresting on paper, it may provide you with skills, viewpoints, or insights that you will remember for years to come. You never know what might become your favorite, so have an open mind!
Best wishes!