“You are diagnosing me right now, aren’t you?” This is something all psychology majors hear when they tell someone their major. We don’t walk around diagnosing everyone we meet — just a few. Oddly enough, we diagnose ourselves the most, which isn’t the best to do. People also assume psychology is not a science or not a “hard” science, but it is a science and it is can be hard for anyone who’s not good at psychology, which is the same as chemistry. This list is going to describe things all psychology majors have experienced.
1. When you tell someone your major is psychology and they respond with, “What are you going to do with that? You are never going to find a job with that!”
Most of the psychology graduates I know found a job in the field or went on to grad school. it's not any harder finding a job with a psychology degree than any others. Most of the time, grad school is needed to get a higher paying job or to be a counselor.
2. You’ve told your fair share of psychology jokes.
Psychology jokes are the best jokes! You tell them to your friends and joke around with your professors!
3. Still have to put this one in here…
This happens all the time! In Chicago, the students and professors who attended the Midwestern Psychological Association (MPA) conference from our school went out to dinner. When our waiter learned why we were they, he said, "Oh wow, all psychology majors! I need to stop talking so you all can't diagnose me!" Sometimes people say it as a joke, but others say it out of concern.
4. When you really want to correct non-psychology majors on their terminology.
We get these terms drilled into our heads, so hearing them used wrong really bothers us!
5. This is true for some of us!
I know a few people going into counseling who are really introverted and don't like talking to people. But they do well with their job.
6. When your research has no significant results.
Nothing is more exciting than finally working on your first study! You hope for significant results and are sad if they aren't any. But, no significance is still a result that gives you information about your results, it just means you found no significant difference between variables. This gives a basis for future research.
7. You’ve wanted to/have used psychology pick-up lines.
I haven't done this, but I've thought about it!
8. When you know APA style like the back of your hand!
Every paper you write is in APA format, and you can use it in your sleep now.
9. When people ask you what you are reading, and it is always a journal article.
You read numerous articles every week, all semester!
10. You also write a ton of lab reports and research papers.
Most of those articles are for lab reports, research papers and senior seminar!
11. When this happens to you!
The longer you study psychology, the more you do this!
12. Stats, stats and more stats.
You've taken numerous classes that teach you stats!
13. Last but not least, you absolutely love your major!
You are thankful every day that you chose psychology. I know I am!
