PSYCHS November Newsletter 2025!

November 04, 2025

Hi PSYCHS!

Welcome to November! We know this can be a busy and stressful time of year with tests, deadlines, and the days getting shorter. Hang in there, reading week is around the corner!

This month’s newsletter is filled with exciting events and opportunities. We can’t wait to see you at our Community Kickoff event this week, and hope you’ll check out some of the other wellbeing events we’ve highlighted below.

We’re also thrilled to announce the launch of our new podcast, PSYCHS Talks! In our first episode, we chat with an admissions expert about medical pathways in psychology. Find it in the community section below!

As always, PSYCHS is here for you, whether you need someone to talk to, study tips/writing resources, or just a fun way to unwind. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us for support.

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

PSYCHS Community Kickoff

KNA 160

Nov. 6, 4:30pm

Join us for our Community Kickoff event! A fun, relaxed way to get to know fellow members, and make new friends! Register here.

Speed-Friending and Social Courage

Nov. 5, 12:30pm, MSC 171 OR Nov. 13, 1:00pm, AU-128

Learn about anxiety, fear, and social change, then have a chance to make some new friends and socialize (+eat free snacks!). Register here.

Self Care Fair by Birthday Wishes and The Children’s Health Advocates

HNSC 128

Nov. 5, 5:30pm

Take a break, recharge, and discover new ways to care for your mind, body, and community! Register here.

Medical Herstory Feminist Health Conference

Virtual

Nov. 8, 8:30am-12:30pm

This event brings together students, activists, researchers, and practitioners to explore how gendered and intersectional forms of medical control have shaped health across history. Register here for free admission!

Keynote on Leisure and Mental Health

HNSC 122

Nov. 12, 12:00-1:00pm

Learn about “work-life balance” and leisure as an experience from Dr. Shintaro Kono, who researches how different leisure experiences shape a “life worth living”. Register here.

Success Seminars

Check out all of the great academic workshops that can help with things like studying, time management, motivation, exam prep, and note taking. Review the schedule here.

Opportunities

GPPP Mentorship Program

Match with a graduate student mentor in the Department of Psychology/Werklund School of Education to learn more about grad school directly from grad students. Sign up here.

Psyc 300 Study-athon Tutor

The Residence Life Academic Working Group is looking for tutors who have strong knowledge of psyc 300 to participate in their Study-athon event on November 28th at 6:00pm. Please reach out to [email protected] if interested.

Help Shape the Future of Music & Mental Health - Research Participants Needed

Join a one-time, 60-minute online focus group and share your experience with music, health, and wellness apps to help design a meaningful wellness tool and get a $20 Amazon gift card! To participate, fill out the quick form here.

Call for Section on Women and Psychology (SWAP) Symposia!

If you have conducted research relevant to the Section on Women and Psychology and would like to present at the annual Canadian Psychological Association Convention, complete the form here by November 14th.

Graduating? Book Your Grad Photo Appointment!

From November 15-25, Artona is booking grad photo sessions! A fully refundable $60 deposit is required as well as a $15 sitting fee which goes directly to UCalgary Student Services to fund scholarships. Book your session here.

SU’s Got Talent 

Showcase your talent in front of a live audience and panel of judges for the chance to win prizes! Apply to audition by December 3rd.

Scholarship Opportunities for Students with Rheumatic Diseases

Canadian post-secondary students diagnosed with a rheumatic disease who display academic excellence and are making a difference in the community are eligible to apply for “Take a Pain Check” scholarships. Learn more here and apply by January 19th.

Youth Thrive Program 

The Youth Thrive Program places students with non-profit organizations for volunteer placements. Develop leadership skills, gain valuable experience, expand your network, and make a difference. Learn more here.

Rotating Feature: Psychology in the Media - Adolescence Review

Adolescence is a TV series directed by Philip Barantini, released on Netflix in 2025. It follows the story of 13-year-old Jamie, who allegedly murders his classmate Katie. The four-part crime drama explores the complexities of adolescence and the pressure of being a teenager, especially in the social sphere. Jamie is arrested in the first episode for the alleged crime he committed, and the other three episodes disclose how Jamie’s family/therapist/detective inspector and sergeant are making sense of what really happened between Jamie and Katie. Is a teenager really capable of committing murder?

While watching this show, I associated Jamie’s struggle with himself to Marcia’s Identity Formation Theory. Jamie experiences Identity Foreclosure since he makes a choice in who he has to be with little to no exploration of his identity. It may stem from the fact that Jamie has accepted that he is at the bottom of the social ladder and will never receive attention from the opposite sex since he is not as “attractive” as others. Jamie’s lack of self-confidence exhibits the familiar struggle of adolescents with self-esteem. Teenagers battle the arbitrary social hierarchy they have created and believe that it is acceptable to bully others who do not fit this “norm.”

This conflict can also be explained by Erikson’s Stages of Development, in which school-aged children (6-11 years old) experience the Industry vs. Inferiority stage during which a child who feels that they are not on par with their peers develops a sense of inferiority and low self-esteem. While Jamie is 13 years old and has passed that stage, its negative consequences set him up to experience further negative outcomes in the Identity vs. Role Confusion stage (12-18 years old). Jamie is unable to establish a strong sense of self and pays heed to what his peers think of him, enabling him to experience role confusion. Katie calls Jamie an “incel” (involuntarily celibate) on social media; her bullying could have led to Jamie feeling inferior and insecure, making him more susceptible to negative peer pressure, such as threatening her with a knife given to him by a friend.

The show appeals to the masses because it creates mystery in each subsequent episode and is a fascinating anomaly, as each episode is filmed in a continuous take without any cuts. I especially enjoyed Episode 3 where Jamie meets with a child therapist who is navigating her professional relationship with Jamie and her struggle to compose herself when facing a violent crisis.

If you want to learn more about the developmental stages of adolescents, I would highly recommend taking PSYC 352: Lifespan Development. This class focuses on biological, cognitive and social development in each of the major life stages, from infancy to late adulthood.

-Navya Arora

Community Section - PSYCHS Talks Podcast Episode 1!

We are so excited to announce the official launch of our podcast, PSYCHS Talks! In this podcast, we’ll be diving into conversations that inspire, educate, and explore all the pathways that psychology can lead to (from research to careers and everything in between).

For our first episode, we sit down with Mia Park, Admissions Counsellor at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. Together we explore the many healthcare pathways available to psychology students. From graduate program options to advice on preparing for a career in health, this episode is full of insight for anyone curious about where a psychology degree can take you!

If you are interested in learning more about MCPHS, stop by the PSYCHS office to pick up a brochure and Mia’s business card!

Watch the episode here:

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 interested in doing research over the summer and I’ve been hearing a lot about different grants. Do you guys know what they are and how to apply?”

That’s such a great question, and a great way to spend your summer! One opportunity that psychology students often look into is the PURE Awards, which are among several grants available to students applying for summer research studentships. The best part is that you only need to submit one application for summer research, and you’ll automatically be considered for all the awards that fit your project!

These projects run for 8, 12, or 16 weeks over the summer (full time), and successful applicants can receive between $3,750 and $7,500 in funding. To apply, you’ll need to connect with a full-time UCalgary professor who is willing to supervise your research. The Faculty and Student Meet & Greet on November 24th is a great way to meet potential supervisors. You can also attend the Applying for Summer Research Studentship workshops on November 25th or 27th to learn more about the application process before the January 26th deadline. For more information and to register for these events you can check out the website here!

This is an amazing chance to spend your summer diving into a project you care about and to gain research experience! We wish you the best of luck with the application process!

-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 - Guess the Psychologist Word Scramble!

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, Anna David, Tara Meehan, Navya Arora, and Matinatsa Hapanyengwi 

PSYCHS Communication Team