XVI. Advising Resources

Graduating psychology majors at the University of Scranton complete a senior seminar (History & Literature of Psychology II) in which they provide written advice in the form of letters to incoming psychology freshmen.Quantitative analyses of 101 letters written over the past three years produced the following list of frequent advice from those who have already "been there and done that."  Prevailing advice centered on becoming involved in student organizations, cultivating study skills, securing research experience, and living college to its fullest. Heed these sage recommendations from your peer advisors!

Most Frequent Advice Rendered by Graduating Psychology Majors in their Letters
Advice/Recommendation
Frequency
% of Total
Get involved in psychology student organizations
62
5.6
Cultivate good study skills
51
4.6
Secure research experience
46
4.2
Follow advice about Research Methods course
45
4.1
Enjoy it/Live college to the fullest
44
4.0
Other/assorted advice
43
3.9
Seek help of psychology faculty
42
3.8
Get to know your professors
41
3.7
Become involved in university life
41
3.7
Prepare for graduate school
39
3.6
Realize fellow students can help
33
3.0
Manage your stress
30
2.7
Balance academic and social life
27
2.5
Understand program requirements
25
2.3
Explore other areas/minors
24
2.2
Maintain personal motivation
24
2.2
Remember that the psych courses will be difficult
23
2.1
Never hesitate to ask questions
21
1.9
Obtain practical experience
20
1.8
Choose classes related to your expected career
19
1.7
Seek advice of psychology advisors
19
1.7
Select/switch advisors you get along with
19
1.7

 With this Handbook and registration materials, you should be able to answer most of the following important questions. If you are still uncertain about any of these matters, then please review the relevant sections of the Handbook or speak to your advisor.

Advising Quiz
1. What courses can go into your free elective?
2. What is the minimum number of core eight psychology courses that are required for a major?
3. When is the earliest a student can get involved in research?
4. What are the requirements for taking Undergraduate Research in Psychology for academic credit?
5. When should a student interested in going immediately on to graduate school take the GREs?
6. Can a combination of two elective psychology labs or advanced topics seminars take the place of one 3-credit elective?
7. How many credits should a student carry when taking Research Methods?
8. When should a student interested in graduate school start sending away for information and applications?
9. Beyond the field experiences courses, how can I obtain applied experiences in my field?
10. Is it necessary to do research for course credit?
11. Must I take a psychology course with the corresponding lab?
12. Can psychology majors get written into psychology classes thatare closed?
13. How can students change courses after leaving registration?
14. Which psychology elective courses are most appropriate for someone with my interests?
15. Are there limits on the number of Special Topics courses I may take?
16. What are the three student organizations in the psychology department?

Return to Table of Contents