PSYCHS October Newsletter 2025!

October 03, 2025

Hi PSYCHS!

We hope that your semester is off to a great start and that you are enjoying the beginning of fall!

As midterm season approaches, it’s the perfect time to prioritize self-care and healthy ways to de-stress. One great way to manage stress is through exercise: head over to this month’s Rotating Section, “Psychology in Sports”, to learn more about the future of this developing field!

Want to get to know the PSYCHS team? This month’s Community Section features a Q&A with our presidents Fatima Jarid and Becca Gleed. Be sure to check it out!

Good luck on your midterms! Remember, we’re always here for you if you need 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, starting September 15th. 

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

Help PSYCHS “Pack the Pantry”!

Thanksgiving is coming up - a holiday centred around enjoying food with family. But did you know that a 2021 report by Maclean suggests that approximately 40% of post-secondary students in Canada are food insecure? There are many physical, mental, and academic impacts of food insecurity, and PSYCHS believes that addressing food security on campus is an important initiative.

This month, PSYCHS will be participating in the SU’s “Pack the Pantry” contest! We are collecting non-perishable food donations (pasta sauce, canned meats/veggies, noodles, cereal, etc) to donate to the SU Campus Food Bank. If you are able, help us address food security on campus by bringing your donations to the PSYCHS office (EDC 291) before October 30th.

Upcoming Events

PSYCHS Honours Info Night

EDC 179

Oct. 15, 5:30-7:00pm

Are you interested in applying for honours for the 2026 cycle? Join us to learn tips from Dr. Hughes on interviewing and matching with supervisors. Register here.

**Please note that you must be a PSYCHS member to attend!

PSYCHS Meet and Greet

TBD (keep an eye on our socials!)

Oct. 21, 4:30pm

Join us for an informal social event to get to know other PSYCHS club members and execs! Stay tuned for the location and the link to register.

Graduate & Professional School Fair

MacEwan Hall A/B 

Oct. 6, 11am-3:00pm 

Explore a variety of graduate programs from around the world! Find more here. 

Fall Community Discussion: Tuition and More

Cenovus Energy Great Hall

Oct. 7, 11:30am-12:30pm

Share your thoughts, concerns, and ideas on how to improve the campus experience. Register here or fill out the student survey!

Pet Therapy

That Empty Space

Oct. 8 and 29, 12:00-1:30pm 

De-stress with cute pets!

Masters of Social Work Information Session - International & Community Development Specialization

Virtual

Oct. 8, 6:30-7:30pm

Learn more about UofC’s Masters of Social Work program and the International & Community Development specialization! Register here.

Opportunities

Developmental Psychobiology Lab - Research Volunteer

Support the developmental psychobiology lab with data-related tasks for the Pregnancy during the Pandemic study. Must be fluent in French and able to commit 5 hours per week for 4 months in-person at the Child Development Centre.

To apply, send your CV to Melinda van Sloten at [email protected].

Canadian Psychological Association - Student Representative

Serve as an ambassador of the CPA within the psychology program at UofC through promoting CPA membership/relevant news and assisting in organizing a yearly event for psychology students.

To apply, send a paragraph identifying why you would be a great lead as a CPA Student Rep, your CV, proof of university enrolment, and CPA membership to Sarah Gallant at [email protected].

Department of Psychology - Undergraduate Student Research Opportunities

Psychology majors - check your inbox for an incredibly helpful list put together by Dr. Hughes, Undergraduate Program Director of Psychology, of professors who are accepting honours students, 504/505 students, and lab volunteers. This email was sent on September 25th and the subject line is “Psychology Faculty Supervision Guide”.

Faculty of Arts Students’ Association - Mentorship Program

This program brings together upper-year and first-year students in the Faculty of Arts to build connections, share experiences, and support a successful transition into university life. To apply as a mentor or mentee, see here.

Faculty of Arts Students’ Association - First Year Committee 

The First Year Committee will work together with FASA execs to plan academic/social events and create resources and opportunities for other first year students. This committee is a wonderful way for first year students to develop leadership skills and provide guidance and support to the community. To apply, see here.

Rotating Feature: The Future of Sports Psychology - Where Mind Meets Muscle

When most people hear “psychology,” they usually think clinical, social, or maybe I/O. But did you know that sports psychology is one of the fastest-growing areas in the field? With athletes and teams investing more than ever in mental performance, the future looks both high-tech and human-centered. Here are some exciting trends:

  •  Neurofeedback Training – Think of a video game where the controller is your brain! Real-time brainwave monitoring helps athletes stay calm under pressure and laser-focused.

  • Virtual Reality Training – Step aside, gaming. VR lets athletes practice in lifelike simulations, sharpening decision-making and reaction times without even stepping on the field.

  • Sleep Optimization – No, it’s not just “get 8 hours.” New tools track and improve sleep quality so athletes recover faster and perform better (yes, naps can be science-approved!).

  • Genetic Testing for Training – Ever wonder if you’re more built for sprinting or endurance? Genetic insights are helping coaches personalize training plans to fit athletes’ unique strengths.

Whether you’re into sports or just curious about new psychology frontiers, this is a space where science, technology, and performance collide. And who knows, you might be the one shaping the future of the game!

Community Section - Q&A With Our Club Presidents!

This month we are excited to share a Q&A with our club presidents, Fatima Jarid and Becca Gleed. Get to know more about their vision for PSYCHS and how they discovered their passion for psychology!

What was your first role with PSYCHS? Which moment during your tenure made you realize that you wanted to lead the club eventually?

Becca: My first exposure to the club was as a member. I attended the meet and greet in my first year and it gave me a sense of belonging! I then applied for my first role in PSYCHS as an academic commissioner. Helping to plan and execute the "Meet Your Prof” event made me realize the impact PSYCHS has on the undergraduate community, which inspired me to continue contributing to growing our community as Co-President.

Fatima: My first role with PSYCHS was actually as a co-president last year, which meant I stepped into a leadership position from the start. It was both exciting and intimidating, but I quickly realized how much potential this club has to impact students. One moment that really solidified by desire to lead was during the Meet and Greet - seeing so many students come together in one space reminded me of the power PSYCHS has to connect people! It wasn’t just about hosting events, but about building a space where students felt seen, supported, and inspired.

Can you tell us about an event last year that made you realize the importance and impact of PSYCHS?

Becca: As previously mentioned, the “Meet Your Prof” event was a huge success, and we had a great turnout with over 90 sign ups. We put in a lot of effort to organize and promote this event as a team, and I remember watching on the sidelines as it all came together, feeling proud of the huge turnout with all of the students and profs mingling.

Fatima: Like Becca, a standout event for me was our “Meet Your Prof” night. We brought in professors from different backgrounds in psychology and the turnout was incredible. Students were asking thoughtful questions, networking, and showing genuine excitement for their futures.

What are your goals with PSYCHS this year? 

Becca: This year my goals are to further connect and grow the undergraduate psychology community through introducing new and engaging events and interactive methods of communication! I am also hoping to collaborate with the Department of Psychology to have more discussions for promoting the research going on at the university.

Fatima: This year I want to focus on three main goals: expanding our outreach to first-year students, increasing collaboration with other student clubs, and launching the mentorship program again to connect undergrads with graduate students and professionals.

How did you discover your interest in psychology?

Becca: When I graduated high school, I had no idea what I wanted to do. I had started a career in customer service and makeup artistry, which made me realize how much I liked helping people. For example, when I did makeup on a client, they would always leave feeling confident. This got me thinking deeper about what I wanted to do in life, and brought me to psychology - a field where I could benefit and help others.

Fatima: I’ve always been curious about why people think and behave the way they do, but it wasn’t until I spoke to a teacher at my high school about psychology that I realized how deeply psychology affects every part of our lives.

Are you working on any research currently, or have you in the past? Can you tell us more about it?

Becca: No research experience as of yet - this is one of my biggest goals as a psychology student. Which I am sure is relatable to any undergraduate!

Fatima: Yes! Last year, I assisted in a research project focused on developing pilot programs to evaluate the effectiveness of support provided by Radical Mental Health Doulas compared to traditional mental health care from healthcare providers. This summer, I conducted research at the Industrial Organizations and Communities Research Lab, where I completed a scoping literature review on organizational change frameworks.

A huge thank you to Fatima and Becca for participating in this Q&A! Stay tuned for next month’s newsletter where we will be interviewing a UofC med student on medical pathways in psychology!

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:

“Lately I’ve been stressing a lot about my future. It feels like everyone around me already has research assistant jobs or volunteer positions, and I have no idea where to even start. I keep hearing that you need research experience to get into grad school, but I don’t know how to find those opportunities or if I’m even qualified yet.”

Feeling this way is completely normal, and we totally understand where you are coming from. While research experience may not be necessary for everyone’s future paths, it is a great way to get involved and learn new skills. The idea of research in your first few years is daunting, but let’s break it down into some easy steps.

Firstly, professors understand that undergraduate students have to start somewhere! They don’t expect you to already have a wealth of research experience under your belt. Some great ways to prepare include taking PSYC 300 and 301 in your second year (required), and taking research courses such as (and not limited to) PSYC 400.XX, PSYC 415, and PSYC 407 in your third year and above. The university also offers a “Ready for Research” free microcredential that anyone can enroll in to learn more about research at UCalgary.

Once you feel prepared to reach out to some professors/labs, you can start by asking the professors of your current classes if they are looking for any volunteer research assistants, or take a look at the helpful document Dr. Hughes sent that outlines what labs are currently accepting volunteers. Instead of reaching out to everyone on the list, take the time to look into the lab and what kind of research they conduct, and ask yourself whether you are truly interested in supporting them. Taking this extra step to acknowledge that you understand what the lab does and tying this to your own interests goes a long way!

We wish you luck in your journey, and we are confident that you will find a position and thrive!

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 - the PSYCHS Cryptogram! See answer key below.

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