As I embark on the last leg of my journey here at MSU I reflect back on some of the risks and opportunities I took to get where I am, this reflection largely solicited by having met some younger and transfer students in my department.

These peers of mine suffered from some common ailments of the administration, from being unsure of what class fulfills what requirement to some "advisors" straight up ignoring them or failing to respond in a timely manner.

I helped them through the process as best I could having gone through the same gauntlet myself not too long ago, but discovered a concerning trend - people seem to lack the initiative to help themselves.

People seem content to gripe about their lackluster adviser but have not tried to change to a different one officially or simply gone to another faculty member (pro-tip: the adviser assigned to you on paper is not the only you can go to - you can coordinate with any faculty member.

Unless you need one of those awful PINs your first year, then you need to see your on-paper adviser or the advising folks).

Another area in which folks seem to lack initiative is in locating and seizing research opportunities. Granted, it can be daunting to insert oneself into the search as an outsider-looking-in or if you don't know the professors personally but learning to reach out and introduce yourself to contacts is an integral skill to learn.

I could give you a list of everyone doing neuroscience, forensic, or clinical research but that would defeat the purpose of your learning to help yourself.

(My purview is in the Psychology track at MSU, and that is reflected in the matters addressed. If you are on another track, I, unfortunately, do not possess particular insight into the idiosyncrasies of those and encourage to seek out someone who does).

Ask classmates, trusted faculties, or your advisors about who's doing what kind of research in the department. If you took a particularly fascinating course you can even ask the professor directly, that's how I got started in my labs.

Depending on what path in Psychology you're pursuing you'll either need research or clinical experience, the latter of which can be obtained by all manner of volunteering, internship, or positions in a clinical or related field.

I got my clinical experience by volunteering for Crisis Text Line, but there is a myriad of other ways to get it. Again, I entreat you to inquire further with someone more knowledgeable than myself.

For better or worse, unless you have fantastic mentors, no one is going to hold your hand through the red tape processes and rarely will anyone offer you advice unless you ask for it so it behooves you to take the initiative and take charge of your own academic and professional future by being proactive in the courses you take and the opportunities you capitalize on.