A Week in the Life of a Psychology Undergraduate Student

Monday

To begin the week, I head to the library to crack on with the core reading given for my seminar on the Cognitive Neuroscience of Attention. This is one of my 3^rd Year advanced modules and, for me, is always timetabled on a Monday from 1-3pm. I print off a booklet of the lecture slides then head over to the seminar, after lunch at the library café.

In the evening, I attend a voluntary lecture for a student-run charity called Open Minds. This organisation delivers lessons about Mental Health conditions to local secondary schools. I then head home to relax before bed.

Tuesday

Today I have nothing on my official timetable. So I use the time to finish the required reading for my Cognitive Neuroscience of Attention module and for my other advanced module on Clinical Psychology.

I usually take the bus to Campus East, which conveniently has a restaurant with a library. There I edit my literature review and then head home to get ready for my martial arts class.

Wednesday

I again have nothing officially timetabled. Except that in this particular week, I booked a meeting with my project supervisor. We discuss the details of my final year project. Then with my project partner, I finish the required ethics form. Since the project is not due until the end of the year, I dedicate the rest of Wednesday to my literature review.

Once the seminar has finished, I head back to the library to work on my literature review. This is an extended project in which I must research and write about a particular topic. My review focuses on the validity of the Mirror Neuron Hypothesis of Autism.

Come the evening, I volunteer for the charity Aspire, a social club for people with Autism. This is to gain experience with clinical populations in order to apply for clinical doctorate courses in the future.

Thursday

I have a Clinical seminar timetabled for 9am. So, after studying for a bit in the library, I head down to the seminar. We learn about a variety of mental health disorders and how to treat them. This particular seminar was on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

After the seminar, I join some friends for lunch, at the canteen near the Psychology buildings. Then, its back to the library for an hour or so before I head off to another martial arts lesson.

Friday

Friday is another free day. I, therefore, head to the library to work on my literature review or any advanced module work. Every now and then I head down for a quick snack from the café then get on with the rest of my work.

Weekend

On Saturday Morning, I help out at a local retirement home as part of my efforts to gain clinical experience. I work from 10am-1pm and then relax over the rest of the weekend.

Even though this blog depicts a 3^rd Year student’s week, the 1^st and 2^nd years follow a similar regime. However, in my 1^st and 2^nd years, I had must less reading to complete and I had a scheduled lecture every weekday.

Some of the challenges throughout the week involve: keeping on top of the workload; making it on time to seminars and ensuring any assessments are completed on time. Although this may seem a lot, the weekly workload is manageable with a little organisation. I also have plenty of time to socialise with friends and relax at home.

The best thing about Psychology at York is that the course gives you the freedom to work the way that best suits you. That said, staff are always there to support and help you if you encounter any troubles. I truly enjoy my time here and recommend it for any enthusiastic psychologist.

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