Going through the faculty of psychology is not only a stage in which knowledge is accumulated, but also goes hand in hand with a series of experiences that students of behavioural science are used to living.

University life is accompanied by myths that are shattered, existential doubts and reflections on the future of work and experiences that, in a certain sense, are full of humour.

Going through the faculty of Psychology means…

Let’s review the main experiences related to this race.

1. You discover that the origin of the word “psychology” does not describe what it is

Although etymologically the term psychology means the study of the soul, in reality psychologists dedicate themselves to investigate and intervene on very concrete and delimited aspects of our daily life, and do not use the concept of “soul” to work .

2. Everyone starts asking you for free therapy

These attempts to get free psychological consultation may seem endearing at first. However, the time and effort involved in psychological care deserves a payment… and a university degree to prove your training.

3. People’s eyes light up when they hear what you study in college

And that’s when point number 2 occurs.

4. You realize that there is much life beyond psychotherapy

Almost everyone starts their career wanting to work in therapy, but little by little other branches of psychology are being discovered.

5. You completely demystify the idea of clinical hypnosis

You discover that hypnotists cannot control the actions of the hypnotized person… and that disappoints you. You had many illusions because of the myths about this practice.

6. You completely demystify the idea of bipolarity

Being diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder is not something fun, nor is it probably what you thought it was before you started the race . And no, it certainly has nothing to do with what is said in that Porta song.

7. You completely demystify the concept of psychopathy

No, psychopaths don’t cut people up in their spare time.

8. You wonder if you could be a psychopath

It is the next logical step after having reached the previous conclusion. After all, being a psychopath or not being one is a matter of degrees and amounts of psychopathy.

9. You discover that nobody uses a couch anymore

The couch is a piece of furniture that has become outdated in psychology practices, although it is very iconic.

11. Stop attributing magic powers to the Rorschach test

No, interpreting those ink-stained plates is not going to reveal the innermost part of your mind.

12. You begin to question the concept of “mind”

After all, it is a very ambiguous and confusing term. Wouldn’t it be better to talk more about “mental processes”?

13. You begin to seriously question the concept of “human nature”

Many of the things we assume happen to everyone are far from universal. Learned behaviour shapes much of our way of seeing things , and not everyone learns in the same context.

14. You begin to question the concept of “consciousness”

Is consciousness the base of operations of our brain, or is it the consequence of our brain being activated? It’s very confusing.

15. You realize that you are questioning more things than you are fully understanding

It can be frustrating, but a good part of studying psychology involves unlearning certain myths .

16. You plan moral dilemmas about animal experimentation

Much of the research in psychology comes from conducting animal studies , and this will force you to take a stand on it.

17. You start looking for possible future patients among your classmates.

It is tempting to attribute symptoms and disorders to others, but that is something that can only be done with preparation and in a clinical context .

18. You discover that the smallest things can produce psychological problems

Education, work, noise around the house… all that, even in small doses, can produce psychological crises.

19. You drop an idol: Sigmund Freud

At the beginning of your career you discover that Freud’s ideas are totally outdated and that current psychology follows other paths .

20. You realize that psychologists’ clients do not know what they are hiring

Myths about psychology are so pervasive that even the people or organizations that pay for these services do not know very well what they are doing.

21. You wonder if the race itself is difficult or if they make it difficult by making you read a lot

It may seem difficult in some faculties, but at least it’s a grateful difficulty: if you study hard, you get good grades , not like in engineering.

22. You start to analyze series, movies and video games in a psychological key

Hard not to. In the end, screenwriters strive to make the characters’ personalities interesting or very marked.

23. You have a love-hate relationship with psychotropic drugs

Psychopharmaceuticals can be alienating, but they improve the lives of many people .

24. You begin to believe much less in conspiracies about the use of psychotropic drugs

At the end of the day, the fact that the existence of these products benefits pharmaceutical companies does not mean that they are not effective in many cases.

25. You notice that sociology students have a respect for you that you will believe is undeserved

Sociologists see in psychology a point where social sciences join the neurosciences , and that usually deserves them respect. However, you will respect them because they spend their days working with statistical programs.

26. You will experience an identity crisis when you don’t know which psychological current to join

Why not, eclecticism doesn’t necessarily have to be the best option.

27. You enjoy answering evasive questions about what you study

What is the most important thing about the human mind? Define for me the idea of “human mind”.

28. You pretend to be a psychoanalyst just to joke around

Are you the kind of guy who prefers the onion-free omelet? Well, well… how’s your relationship with your father going?

29. You tend to choose electives in which there are fewer students with big mouths

Classes with few students can encourage participation, but that will turn against you in those where one or two students will talk at length about their opinions .

30. You realize that “emotional psychology” says nothing

All those images circulating on the Internet about “the teachings of emotional psychology” are based on lies and, in fact, there is no well-defined branch of psychology that is called that . Emotions are components that address many branches and approaches of psychology at once.

31. Are you considering creating a specific savings fund to cover book expenses

Studying this career means investing a fortune in buying psychology books that, unless they are 600-page manuals, you will devour avidly.

32. You realize that during lunch breaks you read more than during your last semester of compulsory education

Learning psychology implies transforming books into a second brain .

33. You begin to look for evolutionary advantageous characteristics in your potential partners

You’ll especially notice the waist-hip ratio and the dark thriad.