PSYCHS January Newsletter 2026!

January 16, 2026

Hi PSYCHS!

Happy New Year, and welcome back to classes! We hope you had a wonderful, restful winter break and are feeling recharged for the semester ahead!

With a new semester comes new opportunities, challenges, and responsibilities. PSYCHS is here to support you every step of the way, whether that means excelling academically, connecting with others in the department, or preparing for life after graduation. We’re excited to host fun and engaging events that help you do just that, and we can’t wait to see you there! To help us create the best possible experience for our members, we’d really appreciate you taking a few minutes to complete the PSYCHS feedback form.

This month’s newsletter is packed with events, exciting opportunities, and a fun interactive game, plus our rotating feature: “Why New Year’s Resolutions Fail, and How to Make Yours Stick”.

We are always here for you. If you find yourself struggling this semester, or just want to chat, feel free to reach out, submit an anonymous entry in our Diary of a Psyc Student, or stop by the PSYCHS lounge (EDC 291). Let’s make this semester our best one yet!

Warmly,  

The PSYCHS Team

Table of Contents

Join PSYCHS

As a member, you’ll get access to:

  • Exclusive events

  • The PSYCHS lounge

  • Our newsletter and community updates

  • Opportunities to connect with peers, faculty, and more! 

Looking for a quiet study space? A place to eat lunch or hang out with friends? When you join PSYCHS, you’ll get access to the Psychology Student Lounge (EDC 291), open to members Monday-Friday, 10:00am-3:00pm.

Please note that memberships must be renewed annually. Sign up using the QR code below or this link. 

Upcoming Events

Faculty vs Faculty Health Trivia Night 

HNSC 122

Jan. 19, 5-7pm

Get ready for an evening of friendly competition, trivia, and fun games as faculties go head-to-head to claim ultimate bragging rights! Wear your faculty colours to show your spirit and represent your team proudly! RSVP here.

SU Winter Clubs Week

MacEwan Student Centre North and South Courtyard

Jan. 19-21

While PSYCHS will not have a booth, there are many other clubs to explore!

Artona Grad Photography Appointments

Main Campus, Trailer B - 102

Jan. 20 - Feb. 9

Book your session here, and contact Artona directly at [email protected] with any questions!

Swipe Right on Your Degree: Major and Career Pop Up Event

TFDL Gallery Hall & Life Design Hub (MSC 171)

Jan. 20, 9:30am-3:30pm

Explore different programs, chat with faculty, and discover how your passions connect to real career opportunities! For more info, see here.

UCalgary Pre-Law Society’s Life as a Lawyer Panel 

TI-160

Jan. 21, 5-7pm

Whether you’re actively considering law school or simply exploring your options this session is designed to provide clarity, practical insight, and the opportunity to ask thoughtful questions in an open, supportive setting! RSVP here.

Virtual Indigenous Research Implementation Plan Engagement Session

Zoom

Jan. 22, 10-11:30am

This session will provide opportunities for faculty, staff, and students to share ideas, perspectives, and experiences, as well as ask questions and contribute to shaping the university’s commitment and responsibility to ethical Indigenous research. To register, see here.

Coffee With The Dean

Arts Students’ Lounge (SS 103)

Jan. 27, 10-11am

Meet the Dean of Arts and learn more about programs, opportunities, and how to get involved in the Faculty of Arts while enjoying complimentary coffee and cookies! For more information, contact [email protected].

Winter Career Fair 

MacEwan Hall A/B

Jan. 27, 11am-3:30pm

Start exploring your options for part-time summer jobs, co-op or internship positions, and opportunities after graduation! For a full list of employers attending, see here.

Virtual Graduate Info Sessions 

Zoom

Jan. 27-29, varying times

Explore different graduate programs, get a better understanding of the admissions process, and get your questions answered live! Register here.

Volunteer Fair

Mac Hall North Courtyard

Jan. 28, 10am-2pm

Find your volunteering niche and connect with volunteer organizations from across Calgary! See here for participating organizations!

Opportunities

Summer Studentships

Applications for undergraduate summer research awards are now open! Awards up to $7,500 are available! Find out more here and apply by January 26.

Summer RA Position - Stroke and Cognition Research Group

The Stroke and Cognition Research Group on campus is hiring a full-time, onsite research assistant for the summer! This role will allow students to gain hands-on clinical experience in a hospital setting with patient-facing work, administration of neuropsychological assessments, and neuroimaging. Contact the PI at [email protected] for more information!

ICP Interdisciplinary Conference in Psychology May 2026 - Call for Submissions

This year’s theme is “Psychology and Technology: Psychology in an Evolving Digital World” and the conference will take place May 6-8 in Ottawa. Submissions close February 27th. For more, see here.

Research Participation - Resilience in the Post-Secondary Context: An Exploration of Students’ Experiences

This study is interested in gathering information about student’s experiences of resilience in the post-secondary context. Participants will be entered into a draw for one of five $100 gift cards! To participate, click here.

Research Participation - Wellplayed App Usability Study

Wellplayed is a music therapy-informed wellness app currently seeking adult testers for a short usability study! Participants will complete a few guided in-app exercises and provide brief feedback to help improve the app’s design, navigation, and overall user experience. To participate, click here.

SU Annual Survey

Take the annual SU survey now and enter to win prizes: a $200 Amazon gift card, one of five $50 Visa gift cards, or one of fifteen $20 Mac Hall Food Court vouchers. Share your thoughts on the SU and your student experience here.

Run in the SU General Election!

The SU is hosting two election orientation sessions on Jan 26 and 27. To learn more, see here.

Rotating Feature: Why New Year’s Resolutions Fail, and How to Make Yours Stick

It’s that time of the year again - time to set your New Year’s resolutions! Do you ever feel like the resolutions you set rarely stick? You’re not alone. A 2023 Forbes Health survey found that the average New Year’s resolution lasts less than four months before it’s forgotten or abandoned. Often, goals fall short because they’re unrealistic, driven by how we want to appear to others rather than what truly matters to us, or because we don’t consider the obstacles that may arise along the way.

2026 is the year that we make our resolutions stick, and we’ve gathered some expert-backed tips to help you do just that:

  • Create an action plan: break your goal into short term, realistic steps that are challenging but achievable, because small wins build momentum!

  • Link your goals to your values: make sure your goal is meaningful to you, rather than focusing solely on an outcome or external validation.

  • Visualize barriers: think ahead about potential challenges that might get in the way and create a plan for how you’ll overcome them if they arise.

  • Reward yourself for reaching milestones: stay motivated by celebrating your progress and setting rewards along the way.

Additionally, experts recommend using the SMART goal-setting method to increase your chances of success:

  • S - Specific: clearly define what you want to accomplish, why it matters to you, and how you’ll do it.

  • M - Measurable: identify how you’ll track progress so you know when you’re moving closer to your goal.

  • A - Achievable: ensure your goal is realistic. If it feels overwhelming, break it into smaller, attainable steps

  • R - Relevant: your goal should align with your broader values and long term vision for yourself!

  • T - Time-Bound: set a target date to create structure and a sense of urgency.

Good luck with your resolutions this year PSYCHS members - we believe in your ability to achieve anything you set your mind to!

Source: Lloyd, M. (2024, January 12). New Year’s Resolutions: Nearly Half Cite Fitness As Their Top Priority. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/health/mind/new-year-resolutions-survey-2024/ 

Source: University of California Office of the President. (n.d.). SMART goals: A how to guide. https://www.ucop.edu/local-human-resources/_files/performance-appraisal/How+to+write+SMART+Goals+v2.pdf

Diary of a Psyc Student

Thank you to all of those who submitted a diary entry in last month’s newsletter! This month, we have chosen to feature the entry below:

“I’m a second year psyc student and am very interested in doing my honours, but I’m not very sure where to start, any advice?”

It’s wonderful that you’re already thinking about honours - your second year is a great time to start preparing!

Each year PSYCHS hosts an “Honours Information Night”, where the Undergraduate Program Director discusses all things honours, including application criteria, required courses, and how to find a supervisor. If you missed the event this year, feel free to reach out to us via email and we’d be happy to share the recording with you.

Since you’re currently in your second year, we recommend starting by exploring which research avenues interest you most. From there, try to get involved as a volunteer research assistant in a lab that conducts research you are interested in. Many psychology labs at UofC have websites with application forms for interested volunteers, or an email that you can reach out to. Another great way to find opportunities is by keeping an eye on your email - professors sometimes advertise that they’re looking for student volunteers, and we also share these opportunities in our newsletter. Alternatively, if there’s a professor whose work you’re particularly interested in, consider chatting with them after class to see if they’re accepting volunteers.

Gaining volunteer research experience will not only help you clarify what you’d like to research for your honours project, but it will also allow you to build strong connections with professors and graduate students that can be incredibly helpful when it comes time to choose a supervisor.

Best of luck on your honours journey, and as always, feel free to reach out if you have any questions!

-PSYCHS

Being a psychology student can be exciting, but also overwhelming! That’s why we’ve created Diary of a Psych Student – a space in our newsletter where you can share what’s on your mind.

Whether you’re celebrating a win (aced an exam, landed a research position), or facing a challenge (stress, self-doubt, tough classes), this is your place to rant, laugh, vent, or reflect. Our team will read your submissions and respond in the next issue with encouragement, advice, or simply a listening ear.

Submissions are anonymous and they don’t have to be long. Even a few sentences can spark connection and remind others they’re not alone in this journey!

So go ahead – share your story, question, or celebration with us! Together, we’ll build a supportive space where every psyc student feels heard!

While we hope to offer support and community, please remember that this column is not a replacement for professional counselling or mental health services. We encourage seeking out professional help for serious issues. Please check out the Wellness services offered at UofC.

Interactive Section

Enjoy this months activity - a research methods matching activity!

Connect With Us!

Stay in the loop: 

We want PSYCHS to feel like your community. To help us plan events, improve our newsletter, and make the most of our office space, we’d love to hear from you! Please take a few minutes to fill out our anonymous feedback form — your thoughts will directly shape what we do this year. 

Warmly, 

Kaylie Fulwiler, Tara Meehan, Navya Arora, and Matinatsa Hapanyengwi 

PSYCHS Communication Team