Friday, December 16, 2011

College Psychology Early In Your Educational Program Can Help Define Goals

College is a time for students to explore their interests and possible career directions. Introductory courses offer students the opportunity to get a taste of what to expect if they decide to pursue certain majors. In a formal four year education, students normally do not begin their major coursework until the third year of study. For those unsure of what degree program to pursue, the first year or two could be the time to define your goals by taking a variety of courses.

Psychology is an attractive option for many students searching for the perfect fit and introduction to psychology is a favorite among undergraduate students. This course is usually taught in lecture halls with students generally numbering in or around the hundreds per class because of its popularity. The impersonal environment means you get less attention from your professor, but you do garner all of the information if you dedicate yourself to doing well.

Taking Psychology 101 online can be just as beneficial as in the classroom, with the added convenience of flexibility and comfort. When I was taking Psych 101 in a lecture hall, all of our notes were placed on a slide show that our professor would click through while lecturing. Modes such as these can be easily transferred to the online environment with the exact same result, a teacher talking over slide notes.

With either environment, students really have to be engaged in the material to grasp and retain the information. Like with any survey course, a lot of topics will be addressed in a short period of time, requiring students to be on their A game. Studying and reading are essential to getting a good feel for the subject matter.

The online option allows for those with other obligations the chance to experience a very versatile course. Students can choose to learn the information at anytime they prefer, whether it's 2 a.m. or 6 in the afternoon. This is one of the more attractive benefits when taking an online course. Less time will be spent on the actual commute to the school and more on receiving the information.

Outside of helping to decipher what major to choose, this course will build greater communication and critical thinking skills. The topics addressed in intro to psychology will broaden one's capacity for understanding, which will increase one's sensitivity to others, which in turn will transform the ways we interact with others.

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