Why study psychology? 10 points you should consider

Ten reflections that will help you decide whether to study psychology (or not).

Studying psychology is, for many people, one of the most attractive options when it comes to deciding which university when the time comes to consider what university studies to pursue. It is something that can be easily proven by seeing that, year after year, psychology is one of the most demanded majors by students.

Many people like to read about the subject, but perhaps they do not feel comfortable thinking about working as psychologists. In other cases, the vocation is clear and completing the degree is seen as the means to achieve accreditation as a specialist.

Should I study psychology and do I want to become a psychologist?

But why do you want to study psychology? why do you want to study psychology? Is it because of what this career really offers, or because of aspects unrelated to the university that you irrationally associate with this type of studies?

To figure out why you want to study psychology, you will have to think about your motivations and reasons. To try to help you in this reflection we have elaborated this complete postso we recommend you to read on.

If you want to decide to start your studies and you still have doubts about whether to study Psychology or choose another option, here we propose you 10 reasons to motivate you (or maybe not) to start (or maybe not) to embark on your path in the science of behavior and mental processes.

And, why not: you may also wonder where you can study this career. To solve this second question, you can consult our ranking of the best universities:

• "The 10 best universities to study Psychology in Spain".

1. How long will it take me to become a psychologist?

A career in psychology usually lasts between four and five years. However, each person has a different pace and it is possible that, depending on your motivation, abilities and available time, you may be able to finish in less time, or it may take you an extra year to complete and receive your diploma.

Studying psychology requires dedication: how much time can you dedicate to it?

2. How difficult is a psychology degree?

Studying psychology every semester will require a lot of will require a lot of tenacity, effort and ability to overcome.. You will have to read many books, articles and documents to be able to analyze, interpret and understand the complexity of the psyche, behavior and interpersonal relationships. Everything has a price, but the knowledge you will develop is well worth it. A psychologist must know how to understand the human mind in order to try to influence people in a positive way.

If you want to start getting into the subject to start evaluating if you like to study psychology, here you have a couple of light articles that explain in brief the issues that you will study in the career, here are a couple of light articles that explain in brief the issues that you will study in the degree course:

• "10 psychological phenomena that will surprise you".
• "8 psychological myths that already have a scientific explanation".

In addition, we have recently compiled a list with Facebook groups where you can learn, in an enjoyable way and without leaving your favorite social network, many things about psychology and neuroscience:

• "Top 10 Facebook Groups to learn Psychology".

3. Will I be able to deal with other people's problems?

During your psychology studies you will have to do internships that will help you to assess whether you feel fit and comfortable to deal professionally with other people.These are roles that are often shocking and it is difficult to know if you are prepared until the moment you are exposed to the practice.

However, these internships take place in the final years of the psychology degree or bachelor's degree. Studying psychology during your degree will allow you to see what your skills are..

4. What are the career opportunities in psychology?

People outside psychology tend to think of the psychology profession as being strictly linked to the clinical psychologist. strictly linked to the clinical psychologist or psychoanalyst.The psychologist or psychoanalyst, providing therapy to patients lying on a couch. You should know that the professional fields of the psychologist are not limited to this, but also include the performance in organizations (as a human resources manager, for example), social psychology, research, psychology specializing in a particular disorder or characteristic, teaching ... Therefore, if you start studying psychology, you should know that the possible outlets are numerous.

Required reading:

• "Psychologists: what they do and how they help people".
• "The 12 types of psychologists".

If you want to go deeper into some of the work fields of Psychology, here are some links so you can draw your own conclusions about each one and go outlining your professional future.

• "What is Social Psychology?"
• "Educational psychology: definition, concepts and theories".
• "What is Sports Psychology?"
• "The role of Psychology in emergencies and disasters".
• "Criminal psychology and forensic psychology: similarities and differences".

I will be completing this list every time we publish new articles for the blog talking about a professional field practiced by psychologists.

5. Is a psychologist's income high?

Many people believe that working as a psychologist is the salvation from economic problems and, although many psychologists make a good living, the truth is that others do not manage to channel their knowledge towards stable sources of income.

Almost any profession can be profitable as long as you are able to have a stable job, you dedicate yourself body and soul to itYou should try to improve your knowledge and practice it with responsibility and ethics. It never hurts, however, a small dose of luck and to assume some risks.

6. Is studying psychology to "feel better" a good idea?

If your intention is to start studying psychology and you realize that you are only interested in this subject to try to understand yourself better, maybe you should rethink things, you may need to rethink things.. Sometimes it is preferable to read a good self-help book, attend a course or consult a psychotherapist and start therapy if necessary.

If you only focus the interest of the knowledge you acquire on yourself, you may be confusing the objective of the knowledge you acquire, you may be confusing the purpose of the careerYou will probably not be able to connect with many of the subjects, nor with the professional practice as a psychologist.

7. Where should I get information?

The Internet can be a very useful tool when looking for information about the psychology career, to be able to orient yourself and make a final decision. But you should also it is also a good idea to look for more personal and reliable sources of information.One day, go to the faculty of psychology where you would like to study psychology, where they will be able to advise and inform you much better.

They will be able to guide you to think about why you should study psychology and about the content of the career. The curricula differ greatly between universities, apart from the fact that each country tends to prioritize one type of knowledge or another. Ask anything you want to know, the university staff is there for you.

8. Is it a good idea to ask professionals for advice?

Yes, it is a good idea. If you want to better understand how a psychologist works (whatever the field), you should also it is also advisable that you gather information about testimonials that can advise you and answer your and resolve your doubts.

Also, if you know someone who works as a psychologist, do not hesitate to ask him/her: it is very likely that he/she will have no problem in guiding you and explaining everything that can help you from his/her personal experience. At Psychology and Mind we like to make things easy for you: we recently we have interviewed psychologist Leocadio Martín to talk about the profession.. We hope you find this reading helpful:

• Leocadio Martín: "As a psychologist, the main virtue is the passion for learning and helping".

Am I too old to study Psychology?

If you are very convinced to start studying psychology, don't hesitate and enroll, don't hesitate and enroll. Many people end up letting time pass because those around them discourage them to start studying, for one reason or another ("you are too old for that"; "why study psychology if you already have a stable job"; "study law or business better"...).

Remember that, if the four or five years are a problem, there is also the option of studying for a master's degree. there is also the option of studying a master's or postgraduate degree for free.. In any case, do not let your final decision be influenced by the fact that other people have the right to give you an opinion on what you should or should not do. If you believe in it, do it.

10. I have started to study Psychology and I have realized that it is not my thing, what should I do?

In case you have already started to study the career and you still have a sea of unresolved doubts, don't wait too long to do it, don't wait too long to do itIt is preferable that you realize that it is not your thing when you are just starting than when you are a few months away from finishing your studies.

In any case, studying a career does not necessarily imply having to practice what you have studied, and many people conclude their studies with a degree.Many people successfully complete their studies and then their professional practice takes a different path, or one that is only indirectly related to their training. Undoubtedly, in any case, a psychology degree will help you both personally and professionally.

If you want to get the most out of your Psychology studies, we think it is essential that you consult our Guide for students:

• "I want to be a psychologist" - 10 keys to successfully complete a psychology degree.

11. And when I have finished my degree... what do I do?

There are multiple professional opportunities for when you have finished your Degree or Bachelor's Degree. Postgraduate courses, Master's degrees, Specializations... the important thing is that you know what you want to dedicate your time to and that you train yourself conscientiously and betting on a rigorous training.

For example, if you are looking for a Master's degree to study, we have prepared this list for you:

• "The 20 best Masters in Psychology".

How to start your university career?

There are several options for obtaining a university degree in psychology, which is why some people find it difficult to choose. In addition, there are those who find it difficult to live far from a psychology school, and those who prefer not to see their schedules conditioned by classes.

Choosing the right school is one of the (many) keys to success, so it is a good idea to take the time to choose the right one.It is important to take your time and think about the best option for your particular case.

On the other hand, you should keep in mind that there is currently the possibility of studying psychology both in person and online. This is the case of the degree offered by the Universidad Europea.

The Psychology Degree of the Universidad Europea de Madrid is offered in Villaviciosa de Odón, has a duration of 4 years and consists of 240 ECTS credits. With this course each student receives the necessary training to become a professional in Health Psychology, with the possibility of solving practical cases and simulations taking advantage of the therapeutic application of recent technological developments. In both the face-to-face and online formats there are practical activities that are combined with the theoretical contents, and there is the possibility of personalized tutoring regardless of the student's location (one of the advantages of the "distance" option is that the continuity of studies is easier). If you are interested in learning more about the Universidad Europea degree, access this page.