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- PSYCHS December Newsletter 2024!
PSYCHS December Newsletter 2024!
Sabika Sami, Kaylie Fulwiler & Anna David
December 21, 2024
Hello, fellow students!
Before we head into the holidays, let’s take a second to celebrate making it through. Whether it’s finishing a tough course, crushing your assignments, or just showing up (because that’s half the battle!), you’ve done amazing.
In this edition, we’ve got some fun updates, helpful tips, and a little something to get you hyped for the break. We’re also featuring an exciting interview with the FASA student representative to talk about how we can work together to make positive changes in the psychology department. Plus, we’ve got games, upcoming events, and resources to help you stay engaged and supported.
Let’s finish strong and head into the new year ready for what’s next!
What’s In This Months Issue?
Table of Contents
Volunteer
Study on Language Communication - Developmental Psycholinguistics Lab
If you are a neurotypical adult and a native speaker of English you are invited to join out study to help us investigate linguistic communication.
The study takes about 20 minutes to complete and all participants will receive a $10 gift card for their participation. All participants must be over the age of 18, neurotypical, and have normal or corrected to normal vision and hearing.
Contact us: [email protected]
Study Exploring Women’s Perspectives on Sexuality and Sexual Experiences
Are you a self-identified woman between 16 and 30 living in Canada? A new study led by a Ph.D. student in Applied Social Psychology at the University of Windsor is exploring women’s experiences and perspectives on sex, sexuality, and relationships—both positive and negative.
What’s Involved?
Complete a confidential online survey (30-40 minutes) to share your thoughts. No prior sexual or relationship experience is needed to participate.
Why Join?
Your voice matters, and as a thank-you, participants will be entered into a draw to win:
A 10th Generation iPad
One of ten $50 gift cards
How to Participate:
Click here or copy the link into your browser.
Questions?
Contact the researcher, Storm Balint, at [email protected].
Here’s an advert for the newsletter based on the provided information:
Call for Peer Assisted Writing Mentors
Looking to develop your mentorship skills and enhance your academic reading and writing abilities? Consider becoming a Peer Assisted Writing Mentor!
Through this digital badge program, you’ll:
Gain valuable experience mentoring peers.
Learn the benefits of collaborative learning.
Build skills for leading inclusive and engaging active reading sessions.
Ready to Join?
Visit this link to learn more and sign up for the training session.
Take the next step in your academic journey by empowering others while growing your own expertise!
Job Opportunity: Psychometrist Position
High Point Psychology is hiring a psychometrist, and this is a great opportunity for senior students with experience in basic test administration and scoring.
Job Requirements:
Previous experience with test administration and scoring.
Senior psychology student or recent graduate.
Workdays: Tuesday to Thursday.
Location: Virtual services available.
For more details, visit the full job posting here.
If you’re looking to gain hands-on experience in a supportive environment, this could be a great fit!
Here’s an updated version of the Change Leaders Program opportunity to include in your newsletter:
Job Opportunity: Change Leaders Program at CIWA
The Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association (CIWA) is seeking immigrant and racialized young women aged 15 to 30 to take part in their Change Leaders Program. We're offering micro-grants to help you launch short-term service projects that tackle issues close to your heart, like mental health, reconciliation, building an inclusive Canada, environmental preservation, civic engagement, and more. This initiative empowers young women through leadership development in areas such as diversity, inclusion, racism, environmentalism, mental health, and civic engagement.
Program Details:
Paid Position: $15/hour for 130 hours.
Additional Benefits: Micro-grant to hire support for your project.
Commitment: Flexibility in scheduling, with mandatory leadership training sessions Saturdays
Application Process: Project proposals required; interviews will follow.
For more information, visit the LinkedIn Post.
If you're passionate about creating change, this is an excellent opportunity to enhance your leadership skills while making a meaningful impact in your community.
Adverts
York University Graduate Program
Dear Psychology Students at the University of Calgary,
This fall, many of you may be considering various graduate schools to apply to. On behalf of the Social-Personality area here at York University, we would like you to consider our graduate program.
It is one of the largest Social-Personality groups in North America, with 10 full-time faculty members investigating a diverse range of topics. We are a productive, motivated, and friendly group. Our Ph.D. graduates have gone on to faculty positions and rewarding employment in the private and public sector. We are also located in Toronto, Canada, one of the most vibrant, multicultural, and livable cities in the world. We invite you to visit our website to learn more about us and our research: https://www.yorku.ca/health/research/sp/
You may also be interested in some tips we’ve gathered about applying to graduate school in general: https://www.yorku.ca/health/research/sp/graduate-program/
If you have any questions on applying to graduate school, our program, our research interests, or what we’re like, shoot us an e-mail and we would be happy to answer any questions. We look forward to receiving your applications!
Meet your Psychology FASA Department Representative: Allison Yang
This month, we had the pleasure of speaking with Allison Yang, a third-year BSc Psychology major, about her goals as the Faculty of Arts Students' Association (FASA) representative. Here’s what Allison shared about her role and initiatives:
Why She Became a FASA Rep
Allison’s decision to apply for the FASA psychology student representative role stemmed from her own struggles navigating course registration and understanding the honours program. Reflecting on her experiences, she observed that many students are unaware of the importance of research and honours programs until they are nearing graduation. This lack of clarity, she believes, can prevent students from making informed decisions early in their academic careers.
Key Issues in the Department and how to Face Them:
Honours Confusion: A major issue Allison identified is that many psychology students don’t fully understand the honours program requirements until it’s almost too late. To address this, she plans to create a comprehensive resource document for students, covering topics such as how to find a supervisor, the different honours program options, funding opportunities, and how to communicate with professors effectively. She noted that many students are unclear about prerequisites and how to plan their courses for honours, and she aims to simplify this process.
Limited Peer Connections: Due to large class sizes and a commuter culture, it’s challenging for students to connect with one another and build a sense of community. Allison expressed that one of her goals is to foster stronger peer connections by organizing social events and creating spaces where students can meet and collaborate.
Addressing Enrollment and Course Availability: One of the biggest concerns students have is the lack of availability of 400-level courses, compounded by issues with course waitlists. Allison shared that the department head is aware of these problems and that the department will undergo a curriculum renewal process. “We’re hoping for more course offerings and additional faculty,” she said, expressing optimism that these changes will ease some of the enrollment bottlenecks students currently face.
Other Plans/Advice:
Collaborating with PSYCHS for Socials and Networking Events: Allison is keen to partner with PSYCHS to host events like “Meet Your Prof” nights and social gatherings where students can connect with faculty and peers. “I think events like these could really help break the ice,” she shared, emphasizing that these interactions can create more opportunities for mentorship and collaboration within the department. Also exploring bigger initiatives such as hosting a psychology gala or year-end party for students. Which could improve the overall student experience.
Student Feedback and Surveys: Allison highlighted an often-overlooked but crucial aspect of student feedback—course surveys. She stressed the importance of filling them out, especially given a critical policy in the department. “If a course doesn’t receive more than 50% of responses, the professor doesn’t even see the feedback,” she pointed out. “So, one of the best ways to make a real difference is to ensure that these surveys are completed, so faculty and departments can take our concerns seriously.” Through these efforts, Allison is working to ensure that the department not only hears students but also acts on their feedback to improve the academic experience for everyone.
Interactive Section
Enjoy the December Picdoku!
True or false?
Diary of a Psych Student
Welcome to Diary of a Psych Student! This is a heartfelt informal supportive space where you can rant, scream, cry, and laugh about the issues and triumphs of being a psychology student here at the University of Calgary. Here you can write about what's on your mind whether it's related to your degree or career. Our team will then offer you a response in the next issue. Rest assured you will have a digital shoulder to either cry on, rant to, or celebrate with.
Too often we undervalue ourselves and we look around at our peers and think that they've got everything together. The goal is to create a digital supportive space where students can see that they are not alone in their struggles. We hope to foster a sense of community and reassurance. Remember it's okay to seek help and it's normal to face challenges.
But it’s not all about struggles—this column also celebrates the good news! Whether you’ve achieved a personal milestone, aced an exam, or found joy in a new hobby, we’d love to share and celebrate with you on your successes!
November Entry
Dear Diary,
Some days are repetitive and boring. I wanna make new friends and have fun. This isn’t how my sem was supposed to go. Why am I lonely and alone in my room.
Response from our team
Dear Diary Writer,
I’m so sorry you’re feeling this way. University can be overwhelming, and sometimes it feels like everyone else is out there thriving while you’re stuck feeling alone. I want you to know you’re not alone in this—so many of us have been there.
It’s hard when your days feel repetitive, and it’s even harder when you feel like the semester isn’t turning out how you hoped. But things can change. Sometimes, even the smallest steps can make a difference. Try stepping out of your room, maybe to study in a new space or just to take a walk. Explore a part of campus you haven’t visited before, or grab a coffee at a café where you can sit and wonder at everyone and their stories going by. Even attending a workshop or campus event, even if it’s just to sit quietly, can help break the cycle.
I know it can be scary, but opening up to others might help too. Reconnect with an old friend you haven’t talked to in a while or strike up a small conversation with someone in your class—ask about an assignment or share a comment about the lecture. These small interactions can add variety to your day and remind you that connection is possible. Even spending time in common spaces, like a lounge or library, can make you feel less isolated.
Most importantly, please be gentle with yourself. Feeling lonely doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with you—it’s just part of being human. You’re taking the first step by acknowledging how you feel, and that’s a big deal. You’re stronger than you realize, and this feeling won’t last forever —you’ve got this!
With care,
PSYCHS Team
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Have a great winter break!
Warmly,
Sabika Sami, Kaylie Fulwiler and Anna David
PSYCHS Communications Team