The Best Places To Study Psychology

The Best Places To Study Psychology

by | Jun 9, 2022 | Mind

The Best Places To Study Psychology

Where Can You Find The Best Teachers, Practices, And Prospects Progressing and developing further in any chosen field should always be a priority. Certainly, though, efficiently learning new things can be difficult if the environment and people that are supposed to provide you with this new information do not suit your needs.

Finding the best university and professors can be a daunting task. However, there are some places which most people agree provide exactly what their students need and thus have a good standing name in the field.

So what are the best places to study psychology according to people’s experience, and what makes those places unique?

Let’s find out.

Oh, and by the way… If you think universities are not worth it, think again!

Because universities are just places where you can meet people with experience and establish/join communities of like-minded individuals. Shift your paradigm and get ready to LEARN!

The University of Cambridge

At the University of Cambridge, you can specialize in four different types of psychology – social, cognitive, biological, and developmental. You can further your studies in multiple fields of neurology (neuroimaging and neuroanatomy for example) as well as relations, psychopathology, statistics, and more.

What’s really important about the psychology degrees here is that you can alternate between laboratory work and regular schooling. This variety of options is what puts The University Of Cambridge in the top 3 on our list!

Stanford University

Psychology was one of the first departments established at The Stanford University and as such, holds great importance among faculty and staff.

Positive and mutually beneficial interactions between the different sciences and psychology are encouraged in this place, seeing as the professors know how interconnected some fields are (for instance, the links between psychology and biology, medicine, or business). The special bonus in Stanford is that you can do research regarding many different topics such as addiction, stereotypes, and more as a student.

If you want to get in touch with the ins and outs of psychology, this is definitely a place to go!

Princeton University

Princeton is one of the universities with the most publicly awarded psychology graduates. Six Distinguished Contributions awards from the American Psychological Association, three William James Fellow awards from the Association of Psychological Science, and one Nobel prize have been given to former Princeton students in recent years.

Generally speaking, this university focuses mainly on neuropsychology because of the collaborative work with their own Neuroscience Institute. Mainly because of that, the Princeton University is your best bet if you are oriented towards studying the relationship between psychology and neuroscience.

Harvard University

Psychology is one of the most popular studies at Harvard. For undergraduates, it is separated into three parts – general psychology, cognitive science and neuroscience, as well as evolutionary psychology.

For graduates, these tracks become more specialized and focused, with the option to study in different fields. Tutorials, research, and projects are vital parts of each of the specialized tracks of study as well as the opportunity to conduct research the department itself.

Plus, the name “Harvard” in and of itself is a symbol for high intelligence, and that’s for a reason!

National University of Singapore

This university offers the oldest psychology program in the republic. It is divided into two degrees, a bachelor of arts and a bachelor of sciences. This allows you to cover the fundamentals of cognitive, developmental, biological, and abnormal psychology.

To top this off, the university has its own study called health psychology. Further specialization is offered in the form of a master’s degree, which splits into six different tracks, each requiring both coursework and research. If you’re ready to fasten your seatbelt and get familiar with all the nitty-gritty of psychology and its effects on the human being, do consider this Uni!

King’s College

This is the oldest psychology training program in the UK. Its benefits include mainly research-based teaching and voluntary work in conjunction with South London and Maudsley hospital. Also, their department of psychology is part of the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience.

Students who specialize in psychology here spend four years on campus and one additional year either abroad or in a professional placement arranged by the university.

When Choosing, Remember…

The study of psychology relies on communication and understanding but is made much easier by hands-on work and research. With this in mind, it is vital for the best universities to offer outstanding professors and on-site projects possibilities. What’s also incredibly important is the connection psychology has with other sciences, making collaborations and partnerships between students and faculty an incredibly beneficial ideology.

The universities listed here offer all of those things and more and dictate how best to study psychology in their respective countries and the world as a whole. Last but not least, we must not forget that psychology in general is at the fundament of human existence, so whether or not you decide to sign up for a full-on psychology study in a university, do your best to understand how the human psychology operates.

Be it through books, courses or just studying human behavior around you.

Live. Learn. Love!

Why It’s Okay To Change Your Mind

Why It’s Okay To Change Your Mind

by | Jun 8, 2022 | Mind

Why It’s Okay To Change Your Mind

Get On The Self-Improvement Train! We can all agree that society’s a pretty complicated thing.

In our current fast and complicated environment, we constantly find ourselves jumping through different vicissitudes in our current fast, complicated environment. This often leaves us questioning exactly how we feel and what we think about specific circumstances.

However, when we don’t have time to give ourselves the full answers, we sometimes neglect this process altogether and just run to the next thing. This way, we may form conclusions that could be untrue and present themselves as a problem in the future.

Not only that but lacking the time necessary to process everything completely means that it’s more likely to make the same mistakes when faced with a similar situation.

When analyzing anything thoroughly, it’s common to end up changing our minds regarding specific aspects of it because of the new information we now have. This is a completely naturally occurring phenomenon and yet some people find it difficult to accept.

Here we explain why it’s not a bad thing to change your mind and moreover why we think it’s actually beneficial.

Why Do We Avoid Change

Much like any decision we make, and in fact, everything else that we do, there is a reason for it. So why is it that we avoid change, really? What’s the driver behind this tendency of our human nature?

Let’s have a look!

Too Much Ego

Firstly there’s the topic of ego.

For the purposes of this article, when we talk about ego, what we mean is the feeling of pride and stubbornness in someone when it’s in irrational proportions compared to the gravity of the situation. Some people have a hard time admitting they’re wrong even when they know it would be better for them in the long run.

The reason behind this is actually pretty simple. In today’s age, we are taught that to be correct is the biggest goal one must have. This idea is reinforced in schools, at home, and in pretty much all social situations ever since we were kids. Because most of our early lives are spent being surrounded by people preaching this mindset, we see it as normal and ignore the consequences it actively or passively has on us.

But you see, admitting you’re wrong isn’t actually that scary or that bad. In fact, it proves growth and intelligence as well as humility. Being wrong is synonymous with being human because we grow and change throughout our entire lives. Once you understand that, it’s hard to expect to be correct all the time.

And that is a truth that will make you happier in the long run.

Fear Of Change

MAINTAINING A STEADY MIND

Admitting you’re wrong about something will likely lead to some sort of change. And we all know how scary that sounds. However, this process is also the only one through which you can improve your current state.

Generally speaking, we as humans love routine. We find comfort in the fact that we know what’s going to happen when that will be and what it will lead to. Anything that’s incorrect, or not according to plan pops this cozy bubble which is why we feel distressed in similar situations. The initial emotion we just described is often enough for us to try and avoid change, however, that’s not the whole story.

Once you admit something’s not right, you now have to actually put in the work to fix it. This is when a completely different emotion takes the stage. We’re talking about the fear of failure – a constant quiet state of panic that we won’t achieve what we’ve set out to do.

Battling this is hard every time, but we get proportionally better at it with practice. Generally speaking, the more we try to better ourselves and the state of things, the more confident we get in the future. Not only that, but by having the bravery to change something big about yourself or your life, smaller and less important switches are much much easier.

What Does Change Bring To The Table

Alright, let’s assume that we do get out of the usual pattern of predictable living and decide to completely overhaul our mindset.

Well, if we do that, what are the benefits we reap from it, past the stage where we’re afraid of diving in the unknown?

Let’s find out!

Personal Development

By changing yourself in the direction you want to, you are constantly improving who you are. Think of it like molding clay – artists start with a general idea and reshape the material until it fits their concept. We work in basically the same way with one very important difference – our ideas are always evolving.

There’s no other way to progress than through this continuous act of change. The good thing is that the earlier you realize this and start doing it, the more skilled you’ll become. The quality and quantity of these changes of perception are highly dependent on how you see yourself and how much you’re willing to invest in them.

All of us can say that we find more intricate and sophisticated people to be more interesting. What we sometimes forget, however, is that they’re like that because they have developed a lot through the years. By putting in the work to change things, you are on the same road as them, becoming the best version of yourself you can be and smiling through it.

Self-Confidence

Positively changing your life comes with both short and long-term benefits. And we’re not just talking about the positives that come with the switch itself. By taking care of yourself in this manner, you will likely gain massive amounts of self-confidence.

Why?

Well, because your brain is learning that it should focus on self-improvement, seeing as this makes us happier. Not only that, but it’s reaping the rewards at the same time. Relying on yourself for these personal changes means that you’re the only one who takes credit when you finally achieve them.

It’s no small feat to kick bad habits or put the effort to do what makes you happy, and when you see how much you’ve improved, your conviction grows. By doing this, you’re putting yourself in a positive circle of wanting to improve and achieving it easier.

Take-Home Message

We evolve constantly. Our mindsets do too. And because of this, we constantly shift from one idea to the next. It’s a complicated and sometimes tiring process, but it’s what’s needed for us to become who we truly want to be. By admitting that you’re not always right and that you can change your mind in order to be not only correct but happier, you are opening yourself up to a world of possibilities.

Once you remove the walls around you, telling you to only go in the same direction, you can see how much the world has to offer and can choose your own path. This is possible only when we allow ourselves to change our minds and to think ourselves better for it. Now that you know all this, what’s the first thing that you’ll change in your mindset and your life?

Comment below and let us know!

The 6 Signs Of Maturity

The 6 Signs Of Maturity

by | Jun 6, 2022 | General, Mind

The 6 Signs Of Maturity

Being mature doesn’t mean sitting alone all day, not talking to anyone, and being aggressive if someone does. In fact, maturity is somehow different from what we think of it. Although mature people have the ability to absorb society and work pressures without being surprised by the final results, it doesn’t mean they are emotionless.

Also, it isn’t a hard and fast rule that an older person is mature. Emotional maturity isn’t determined by our age but by the circumstances we face and how we learn from them.

To make things more clear, let’s have a look at the 6 most common signs of maturity!

#1 You Accept Your Mistakes

If we don’t have the courage to accept our mistakes, we can never improve ourselves, and we cannot be called mature people too. The first step to a proactive lifestyle is admitting mistakes and learning from them instead of feeling ashamed.

After all, the challenges of life and our mistakes are two things that carve us into better human beings if we take them positively.

#2 You Spread Love

Maturity isn’t associated with a grin on the face all the time, but a sweet smile that can make anyone’s day! No matter what life throws at you, being harsh and shouting at others can never be the solution. In fact, patience and humbleness can do wonders for you and others.

As life is completely unpredictable, we cannot control circumstances at all times.

Mature people understand this point and happily accept what’s coming their way. A smiling face and showering love on children and elders not only makes their day but is also healthy for your emotional growth.

#3 You Don’t Become Disrespectful On Disagreement.

With over 7 billion brains in the world, not every mind needs to stick to your opinion. People have different experiences and thoughts, and just because someone disagrees with you at some point doesn’t mean they’re disrespecting you.

If you cannot interact with others in a humble way, you’re not a mature person. Besides positive thinking, mature people can also express their emotions with excellent communication skills without leaving a negative impact.

#4 You Don’t Make Excuses.

Why make excuses when you have responsibilities to take?

Well, that’s the mindset of mature people! Instead of making excuses and putting all the blame on others, they step forward to take responsibility for their actions, accept their mistakes, and make things better.

After all, running away from problems isn’t a manly thing! But, facing and fighting them definitely is!

#5 You Are Passionate To Learn

With the wide plethora of information and jaw-dropping discoveries this universe has for us, mature people are always ready to indulge in it and learn.

They understand that learning is a never-ending process, and the more you know, the less you know.

Taking pride in yourself as you know everything isn’t the trait of mature people. Instead, they are down to earth and always welcome creative thoughts and new learning opportunities.

#6 You Don’t Try To ‘’Fit’’ Everywhere.

If fitting into the crowd doesn’t make a difference, it’s better to stand out. We often try to mold ourselves under the pressure of society, not knowing whether we’re doing things right or not.

But, when it comes to mature people, the pressures of society have no influence over them. They set their own limits, and even if they have to stand out from the rest, they don’t hesitate to do so.

Final Words

The way mature people mold their minds and personality helps them become great people in society!

Although they may face backlash from others, that doesn’t have too much effect on them, not because they’re robots, but because they know how to cope with situations without being confused and disrespectful.

If you notice these signs of maturity in yourself, you’re surely becoming a better person and have a bright future ahead of you!

Resources

 

 

Why You Shouldn’t Suppress Your Feelings

Why You Shouldn’t Suppress Your Feelings

by | Jun 6, 2022 | Mind

Why You Shouldn’t Suppress Your Feelings

How Bottling Up Your Emotions Harms You And Others

American writer Mark Twain once said that “anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured.”

Although not psychologists, many of us can attest to that feeling and feel that by keeping our emotions and thoughts to ourselves, we damage our psyche in the process.

We don’t advocate lashing out in anger or fits of jealousy, but there are entirely normal and productive ways in which even the most complicated and conflicted feelings can be communicated or expressed.

In The Context of a Relationship

Whether it’s a romantic, familial, or a relationship between friends, there are fundamental truths and principles to all of them, one of which is that conflicts are inevitable.

However, instead of us being scared of disagreements, we must patiently discuss them in a way in which both parties can talk and see where they diverge.

It can be hard to face something uncomfortable about your partner or point out something you dislike about a friend’s behavior, especially if these people are very close to you.

But the alternative is to hide the little arguments, to let slip the minor disagreements until no one can start any conversation because that would inevitably unearth all these hidden criticisms.

In fact, this is the blueprint for a divorce, as people don’t want to ruin the image of their perfect love and either swallow their critiques, convince themselves that’s not really a problem in the other person, but themselves, or even worse – get gaslit into thinking it’s their fault for finding faults in their partner.

Usually, this pattern of avoidance, or on the other extreme – overly confrontational behavior, results in the mentality that it’s easier just to hide all these complicated, built-up feelings and pour them somewhere else.

Faux Stoicism

Some of you may be familiar with the ancient Greeks’ school of thought, in which keeping your thoughts to yourself and taking on life’s hardships with an unchanging stone face is venerated.

In all fairness, stoicism, or at least this interpretation of it, is quite popular in the modern conception of how a “man” is supposed to behave.

While the term ‘toxic masculinity’ is commonly connected to this problem, I prefer faux stoicism, as real stoicism consists of being a rock for your friends and family, taking even the worst of news with an unrelenting smile and embodying humbleness, instead of the “macho” perception of unfeeling human robots.

In this way, the same principles the Greeks laid out can be turned around from something that inevitably emotionally stuns people and often isolates them too, into a mindset that doesn’t limit but builds up traits like patience and humbleness.

At The End

While there is a time and place for everything, it is important to know that your feelings matter. They might seem ethereal, as opposed to the material, physical world, but the very reason you, the human being, are affected by them means they’re just as tangible as a salary or a papercut.

Keeping your emotions and thoughts bottled up will only lead to festering, such as when an act of annoyance leads to resentment, envy, or hatred, an offense leads to depression, self-loathing, and feelings of worthlessness. We have close ones for a reason, and their friendship means nothing if they can’t be there to hear you out.

If you don’t feel like anyone cares to listen, art was invented to let out the indescribable things we feel – some of the greatest songs, paintings, sculptures, movies, and books were just another way for their authors to let go of those feelings in a beautiful way.

So hey! If something’s bugging you from the inside, find a way to express it!

 

When is Stress a Good Thing?

When is Stress a Good Thing?

by | Jun 6, 2022 | Health, Mind

When is Stress a Good Thing?

People think about stress as bad, something they need to learn to cope with, a culprit for many health issues. But, did you know that stress can have a positive effect on your life?

Keep reading to understand why sometimes working long hours and going through tough times can be good for you.

The Difference Between Good and Bad Stress

Saying stress is good or bad is an incomplete statement, because it misses the explanation. Chronic stress is a bad type of stress, which can take a toll on your physical and mental health. Prolonged feelings of tiredness, high blood pressure, anxiety and other symptoms of chronic stress require treatment and care.

Moderate stress puts you in a state of high responsiveness and helps you deal with various situations, so your problem solving-skills can emerge.

Good stress feels like excitement and triggers the reactions in your body even if there isn’t a real threat. It is the type of stress that occurs in particular situations, and its effects stop once the situation passes.

Check the following section to understand the potential benefits of stress.

Healthy Stress Benefits

STRESS MANAGEMENT

The easiest way to illustrate what healthy stress is, is using a work or school deadline example. Before the deadline exceeds, you are in a state of great alertness, focused, and motivated to complete the task.

Healthy Stress Helps you Cope with Infections

When you feel stressed, the chemical reactions in your body are different from what is happening while you relax. A sudden and short-term stress, like a deadline, causes low production of the stress hormone. It further induces the release of a chemical that improves your immune system.

Think about it for a second, were you ever sick before the deadline? Or do you get sick as soon as you hand over the paper? Once the stress passes, your body relaxes, and your immune system doesn’t get a booster dose.

It is the primary difference between chronic and healthy stress. Chronic stress weakens you and can compromise your immune system, while healthy stress maintains your immune response.

Healthy Stress Strengthens You

Going through occasional episodes of stress helps build resilience towards situations you cannot control. In the long run, it can help prevent chronic stress.

Healthy stress teaches you how to overcome different obstacles, and which point of view to take on troublesome situations. It will train you to build an automatic response and reduce the stress over similar situations in the future.

For example, the first time your boss gave you negative feedback, you felt blue and were stressed out. Next time, you can use it as a tool to upgrade your skills!

Healthy Stress is a Mental Workout

STRESS MANAGEMENT

Low doses of healthy stress help keep your mind sharp. The nervousness you feel in your stomach activates some brain activities that wouldn’t be active if everything was alright.

Healthy stress improves the connection between brain cells, similar to what lifting weight does to your muscles. If you lift too much weight, you can get injured. Low weight doesn’t have any effect on your muscles.

It is the reason you are more productive when you feel stressed and why you make fewer mistakes when you work under strict, last-minute deadlines.

Balance is the Key

If you feel the excitement every day and you work under a lot of pressure for a long time, it isn’t healthy stress. It is chronic tension that only lowers your achievements and compromises your health. But, occasional roller coaster rides and unexpected situations are good for you!

Can you recognize good from bad stress? How often are you stressed? Please share your thoughts on healthy stress in the comments!

 

SELF CONTROL: THE POWER OF BEING SELF POSSESSED

SELF CONTROL: THE POWER OF BEING SELF POSSESSED

by | Jun 6, 2022 | Mind

SELF CONTROL: THE POWER OF BEING SELF POSSESSED

To suffice, we’d term self-control or self-possession as self-discipline. It’s a term used to describe a person’s ability to control themselves, the power to restrain rash responses and behavior, as well as to keep unhealthy attitudes and impulses in place.

As other people may say, this quality of character is not a negative or restrictive trait. Self-control becomes one of the most powerful methods for self-improvement and task achievement when it is available and used carefully and in common sense.

Self-control is essential for managing obsessions, fears, addictions, and impulsive behavior of some sort. It allows you to take command of your life, your actions, and your reactions. It strengthens your bonds with others, cultivates patience and tolerance, and is an important tool for achieving prosperity and happiness.

BENEFITS

So what makes self-possession such a powerful trait if developed to its maximum potential?

  • You develop a strong sense of self-discipline and willpower to tackle the hard tasks and life obstacles.
  • You can easily address your fears and weaknesses
  • You develop patience with life and people
  • You’ll never be lazy; thus you achieve more
  • You improve your social life as well as your personal life

 

HOW TO HARNESS SELF CONTROL

1.      ALTER YOUR BELIEFS

Recognize the emotions and values that cause you to act out of control. What attitudes and emotions trigger automatic instincts and reactions? Is it someone around you?

Reduce impulsivity and rash responses by identifying these feelings and opinions, attempting to clarify them, and determining if they are rational and attractive.

2.      VISUALIZE

Visualize yourself exercising self-control and discipline in your actions. Imagine yourself behaving professionally, with self-mastery and restraint in one of the situations where you normally act out of control.

Keep this picture in mind, but ensure you don’t obsess.

3.      PRACTICE

By this, I mean being self-disciplined. If you focus on improving and growing your willpower and self-discipline by appropriate workouts, it will increase significantly over time as small efforts build to become significant leaps. This is the most crucial step in the development of this delicate attribute.

4.      PRACTICE AFFIRMATIONS

Repeat one of the affirmations below for a minute or two several times a day, particularly when you need to demonstrate self-control: I am fully in command of myself, I can control my feelings and thinking, Self-control gives me inner power and propels me forward, My emotions are under my influence, My actions are under my control, I’m learning to regulate my feelings, I am the mastermind behind my life’s maser, My capacity to regulate my emotions and thoughts is improving day by day, and Self-control is pleasurable and enjoyable.

5.      IDENTIFY

With this last step, figure out where in your life you need to improve your self-control. Or else, where do you find yourself missing the mark?

What areas of your life do you find yourself deficient in this ability? Is it Overeating and junk food consumption? Shopping addiction, Excessive abuse of drugs, Gambling, binge-watching, and so on.

This way, you can set accurate goals on the tasks you’re aiming to achieve, and this way you can achieve more accurate results.

 

BOTTOM LINE

I’ll throw it straight to you; nothing worthwhile is going to come easily and so is your ability to control yourself. It takes time, so be patient and consistent.

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