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Kimberly
Student
Perris, California
1
Question
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How do I become successful going to school and getting a career?
I'm currently a High School senior in the Middle College program, and I'm wondering how I can succeed in university (majoring in Psychology) and become a licensed marriage and Family therapist or a psychologist? I was wondering how I can manage my time at school, studying, working, while majoring in this field and aiming to become an LMFT or a Psychologist.
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2 answers
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
1185
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hi Kimberly,
I want to start by saying how amazing it is that you are considering this right now. Your enrollment in a Middle College program as a high school senior already shows your ability to handle college-level work, and the fact that you are preparing for a career as an LMFT or psychologist shows me that you are motivated, serious, and thoughtful.
The fact that success in psychology is a marathon rather than a sprint is among the most important things to understand early on. It takes time to become an LMFT or psychologist, but if you divide the process into distinct, doable phases, it is quite achievable. Building a solid foundation at college, academically, emotionally, and organizationally, should be your top priority right now.
Time management in university becomes more about developing routines that preserve your energy than it is about completing everything flawlessly. The majority of successful students follow a weekly routine that includes prearranged work hours, study sessions, classes, and downtime. It makes a big difference to study a bit each day instead of cramming, especially in psychology classes that require reading, writing, and tests. You may stay on course with just one or two concentrated study sessions each day.
It is possible to work while in school, but balance is important. Particularly in their first year, many psychology students work eight to twelve hours a week. Because they are aware of students' schedules, campus jobs or flexible positions normally work best. Choose a job that supports your long-term objectives, such as childcare, tutoring, peer support, or research assistance, if at all possible, so that your work also develops relevant experience.
It's also necessary to understand the differences between the psychologist and LMFT pathways. A bachelor's degree in psychology or a similar discipline is required for LMFT, which is followed by a master's program in marriage and family therapy, supervised clinical hours, and licensure. A common career path for a psychologist consists of a PhD or PsyD, clinical and research training, and a license. Although you don't have to decide right away, being aware of these options enables you to make informed decisions.
During your time in college, concentrate on keeping your GPA high, developing a rapport with your professors, and obtaining experience through research, internships, and volunteer work. For graduate school in particular, these actions are equally as important as grades. Taking care of your mental health is equally important; future psychologists and therapists should practice the self-care they would someday advise others in.
Please keep in mind that you are not required to complete all tasks at once. Consistency, asking for assistance when needed, and making adjustments when something isn't working are the keys to success. By getting advice and planning ahead, you're already headed in the right direction.
Best wishes!
I want to start by saying how amazing it is that you are considering this right now. Your enrollment in a Middle College program as a high school senior already shows your ability to handle college-level work, and the fact that you are preparing for a career as an LMFT or psychologist shows me that you are motivated, serious, and thoughtful.
The fact that success in psychology is a marathon rather than a sprint is among the most important things to understand early on. It takes time to become an LMFT or psychologist, but if you divide the process into distinct, doable phases, it is quite achievable. Building a solid foundation at college, academically, emotionally, and organizationally, should be your top priority right now.
Time management in university becomes more about developing routines that preserve your energy than it is about completing everything flawlessly. The majority of successful students follow a weekly routine that includes prearranged work hours, study sessions, classes, and downtime. It makes a big difference to study a bit each day instead of cramming, especially in psychology classes that require reading, writing, and tests. You may stay on course with just one or two concentrated study sessions each day.
It is possible to work while in school, but balance is important. Particularly in their first year, many psychology students work eight to twelve hours a week. Because they are aware of students' schedules, campus jobs or flexible positions normally work best. Choose a job that supports your long-term objectives, such as childcare, tutoring, peer support, or research assistance, if at all possible, so that your work also develops relevant experience.
It's also necessary to understand the differences between the psychologist and LMFT pathways. A bachelor's degree in psychology or a similar discipline is required for LMFT, which is followed by a master's program in marriage and family therapy, supervised clinical hours, and licensure. A common career path for a psychologist consists of a PhD or PsyD, clinical and research training, and a license. Although you don't have to decide right away, being aware of these options enables you to make informed decisions.
During your time in college, concentrate on keeping your GPA high, developing a rapport with your professors, and obtaining experience through research, internships, and volunteer work. For graduate school in particular, these actions are equally as important as grades. Taking care of your mental health is equally important; future psychologists and therapists should practice the self-care they would someday advise others in.
Please keep in mind that you are not required to complete all tasks at once. Consistency, asking for assistance when needed, and making adjustments when something isn't working are the keys to success. By getting advice and planning ahead, you're already headed in the right direction.
Best wishes!
Yoav Traeger
Bid Manager
75
Answers
Kiryat Ono, Tel Aviv District
Updated
Yoav’s Answer
It is wonderful that you are already thinking so proactively about your future, and your participation in the Middle College program shows a strong commitment to success, which is a fantastic foundation for achieving your goals as a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist or a Psychologist. The key to successfully navigating university, especially while balancing studying, working, and a challenging major like Psychology, really comes down to intentional planning and self-care. Start by being very deliberate about your time management; this might mean using a digital or physical planner to schedule not only classes and work shifts, but also dedicated, protected blocks of time for focused studying, and just as importantly, time for rest and social activities to prevent burnout. In your first year, try to resist the urge to take on too much at once, allowing yourself to adjust to the rigors of university academics before significantly increasing your work hours or extracurricular commitments. Given your career aspirations, seek out opportunities to volunteer or intern in mental health settings early on, as this hands-on experience will not only strengthen your graduate school applications but also give you valuable insight into the field. Remember that academic success in Psychology is about consistent engagement with the material, seeking support from professors or tutoring centers when needed, and viewing this entire journey as a series of manageable steps: getting your bachelor's degree, gaining necessary experience, applying to graduate school (which is required for both LMFT and Psychologist), and then completing your supervised hours for licensure. You have a clear vision and the drive to make this happen, so trust in your ability to learn and adapt as you go. I have every confidence that you can achieve this meaningful career and wish you the very best of luck on this exciting path.