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UC Choice

Keighley

13 October 2023

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Geography, and Spanish

 

 

HOW TO APPLY

What made you decide to pursue psychology at UC?

I was going to major in Geography and Spanish, and just took Psychology as an interesting paper. I realised that I actually really liked it! I decided to stay at UC for postgrad because I love the campus and love being at UC. It feels like home.

Was it easy to change your major?

With the Bachelor of Arts it’s so easy to switch around your majors, so I didn’t need to go back and take extra papers. I was able to major in Psychology and continue majoring in Spanish.

How are you finding your lecturers?

I’m constantly emailing my lecturers with questions, and they always have the most lovely and helpful responses. They make an effort to connect with students. They’re the most genuine, caring people and they emphasise putting your mental health first.

In what ways have your courses helped guide your future?

In my Psychology classes we have people coming in from the community, like the Eating Disorder Clinic, the DHB Anxiety area, Corrections. It’s so interesting to hear about their research and real-world experiences. They talk about jobs that I didn’t even know existed and it’s helped me pave how I want my future to look.

Tell us about the UC Bike club.

We run lots of mountain biking events, like trips to Mt Hutt and Queenstown or a bike-packing trip on the Paparoa Track. We also do weekly road and mountain rides, and a weekly girls’ ride, because riding with a bunch of guys, especially as a newbie, can be intimidating. We also do social events like the Tour de Rinse – a take on Tour de France where every flat has got a jump set up. It’s really cool; there's something for everyone.

I love the diversity of choice offered at UC. I was able to take Geography, Spanish, and Psychology papers. It’s always so interesting. I can learn about so many different things, but they’re all so interrelated.

You’re also involved as a mentor and tutor.

I’m a PALS mentor, which stands for Peer Assisted Learning Sessions. It’s run by students, and it’s a place for first year students in popular papers who might be struggling or want a place to study or get extra help. From there I got into tutoring for the CUP course, tutoring the transition students in Psychology. It’s nice to pass on what I’ve learned and share my knowledge.

You did a summer internship with Oranga Tamariki in Wellington. What was that like?

I worked on a project that used spatial analysis to look at how far children move when they are placed into care. It was super interesting, and really showed me how I can use my Psychology and Geography skills together. I loved it.

How did you find that opportunity?

UC sent out an email about a seminar on the programme, and I decided to apply without thinking I'd get it. They had 500 applicants and only took about 30 interns. During the application process, a lecturer for the CUP course I tutor for helped me a lot – she's a superstar. She helped me with my CV, was my reference, and gave me lots of advice about being confident in myself.

Any words of advice for new students thinking about starting uni?

There’s a good whakataukī that I love: tūwhitia te hopo, mairangatia te angitū. The English translation is “feel the fear and do it anyway”. That's something I really live by in my uni years. Just try everything, especially in your first year. Give anything you’re slightly interested in a go because there’s the flexibility to do that.

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