Psychology, Bachelor 1 subject

What made you choose this degree programme?

An interest in human behaviour and the rationale behind it, an interest in working as a psychotherapist

In which respect have or haven’t your expectations been fulfilled?

My expectations have for the most part been exceeded. Since I’d read up on the programme beforehand, I knew that it includes a lot of English, mathematics and biology. The programme’s scientific focus was a positive surprise. However, there aren’t enough courses offering practical exercises, seeing as the programme focuses on research (speak: theoretical studies).

Which aspect of your degree programme do you enjoy most?

Diverse topics, good lectures (e.g. those of Professor Güntürkün).

What has been your biggest challenge to date?

Coordinating different oral presentations, laboratory internships and end-of-semester exams in general.

What would you like to become after completing your degree?

Probably psychological psychotherapist.

Which advice would you like to give to students who consider enrolling in this degree programme?

Read up on the programme’s requirements (e.g. required biology, mathematics and English skills) and future career options. Compare actual curriculum with your own expectations. Psychology is quite unlike what people usually imagine it to be, very science and biology-focused. It’s hardly got anything in common with Freudian “depth psychology”. Your departmental student committee will be happy to help. Ideally, attend a few lectures to see what they’re all about. Don’t get discouraged by the amount of required reading and the looming statistics exam in the early stages. By and by, you’ll learn to handle everything just fine.

What made you choose this degree programme?

I wanted to work with people, do a lot of communicating and gain a better understanding of the complexities of human behaviour.

In which respect have or haven’t your expectations been fulfilled?

I had hoped that the degree programme would focus on issues such as mental disorders. These expectations weren’t met until the last two semesters of my Bachelor’s degree.

Which aspect of your degree programme do you enjoy most?

Collaborating closely with other students, the issues discussed in seminars in particular, as well as the opportunities to conduct application and research-focused studies. In one seminar, for example, we developed and implemented prejudice prevention programmes for primary schools. Working with the kids was a great experience. Plus, psychology is an incredibly multi-faceted discipline with many opportunities and branches.

What has been your biggest challenge to date?

Written exams, the first oral presentation in a seminar, coordinating all requirements. The degree programme is full of challenges, but you grow with every single one of them.

What would you like to become after completing your degree?

After completing my Master’s degree – at the RUB, as I hope – I would like to train as a therapist in order to become a psychological psychotherapist. In this profession, I can specialise in either child or in adult psychology. I don’t know yet, which way I want to go and where I would like to work as a therapist.

Which advice would you like to give to students who consider enrolling in this degree programme?

You should make sure that you’re really prepared to invest the necessary time and effort to study this subject. In addition, you should have an interest in biology and good English-language skills. For me, though, motivation is the decisive aspect. You should ask yourself whether you really want to study humans and their idiosyncrasies and whether you feel motivated to invest considerable efforts into your degree programme.