Psychology is an amazing major. The skills you earn with it are useful in almost any profession. I love learning about people and their behaviors. And what I love more than anything about psychology is all of the people share the same interests as me. But along with the great things, I feel like a lot of psychology majors have these struggles.
1. People always ask, "Are you going to be a psychologist?"
Yeah, I'm not tired of that question at all. We are not all in this major to go into the same profession!
2. Getting weird looks when you say you want to work in a prison.
Now my English professor thinks I'm crazy, but what can I do? Criminals are interesting.
3. People think you chose it because it's "easy."
Partly, yes, but that was a mistake. It's actually hard and very competitive. There is a actually a ton of math and critical thinking involved. I almost hate it.
4. If you actually want a job in the field, graduate school is a must.
I didn't think that one through.
5. You tend to diagnose yourself.
Sitting there in class and all of a sudden your professor starts listing signs of antisocial personality disorder, and you think, "Oh my god, is that me?"
6. You tend to diagnose your friends.
7. Studies involving animals kind of make you want to quit.
Have you heard of the nature vs. nurture study? Poor baby monkey.
8. Research papers are the absolute worst.
Psychology professors are the biggest sticklers for APA rules. And those research articles are so hard to read, you just start guessing.
9. Some people don't think it's a science.
A year from now, my diploma will say "Bachelor of Science."
