2 answers
Callie
Student
Galesburg, Illinois
1
Question
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What are some good study habits or tips that'll help me in the transition from undergrad to graduate school?
I am currently a freshman in college, majoring in psychology. I'm going to grad school to specialize in either forensics or developmental psych. Even though I'm only a freshman, I'm so excited to get a start in my life and my career.
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2 answers
Mariem Limam
Solution Management Center Representative
8
Answers
Tunis, Tunisia
Updated
Mariem’s Answer
It's great to see how excited you areyour passion is really important! For me, the key was truly understanding the material instead of just memorizing for tests. I stayed organized and started reading research papers early, which made grad school much less intimidating. Try to connect with your professors and join psychology clubs or research projects if you can. And remember, always keep in mind why you love psychology. That will help you push through even on difficult days.
Khaled Salah
4
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Khaled’s Answer
It is awesome that you are already thinking ahead like this! That mindset will definitely help you through undergrad and into grad school. Since I was also a psych major, I wanted to share something that made a big difference for me.
When I took Introduction to Cognitive Psychology, it completely changed the way I approached studying. A lot of those classes are taught with a big focus on how people learn, remember, and focus, so you basically end up learning how to be a better student by understanding how your brain works. If you have not taken that course yet, I highly recommend signing up when you can!
A few good (psychology-backed) habits to start building now:
- Review material shortly after learning it (even a 10-minute review can lock it in better)
- Test yourself often rather than just rereading notes
- Study in different locations so your brain learns to retrieve information without depending on your environment
- Mix up subjects during study sessions so your brain stays active
- Teach the material to someone else, even if it is just explaining it out loud to yourself
The earlier you start using habits like these, the more natural it will feel when you get to harder, grad-level material. Good luck, you are clearly setting yourself up for success already!
When I took Introduction to Cognitive Psychology, it completely changed the way I approached studying. A lot of those classes are taught with a big focus on how people learn, remember, and focus, so you basically end up learning how to be a better student by understanding how your brain works. If you have not taken that course yet, I highly recommend signing up when you can!
A few good (psychology-backed) habits to start building now:
- Review material shortly after learning it (even a 10-minute review can lock it in better)
- Test yourself often rather than just rereading notes
- Study in different locations so your brain learns to retrieve information without depending on your environment
- Mix up subjects during study sessions so your brain stays active
- Teach the material to someone else, even if it is just explaining it out loud to yourself
The earlier you start using habits like these, the more natural it will feel when you get to harder, grad-level material. Good luck, you are clearly setting yourself up for success already!