Okay, so I want to talk about my journey figuring out which CSU schools have decent psychology programs. I have always been kind of a people-watcher, you know? Like, I love figuring out why people do what they do, and that got me thinking about psychology as a major.
First Steps and Research
So, I started with the basics. I made a list of all the CSU schools because, honestly, they’re affordable and there are so many options. Then I dug into their websites. I wanted to see which ones even offered psychology as a major. Some didn’t, which was a bummer, but it helped me narrow down my list.
Then I started looking at the courses they offered. I mean, a major is only as good as the classes, right? I looked for schools that had a good variety, like, not just the basic intro to psych stuff. I wanted to see options in social psychology, developmental psychology, and even some neuroscience.
Digging Deeper
I didn’t just rely on the websites, though. I checked out some forums and online groups where students talk about their experiences. Let me tell you, that was a goldmine! People were really honest about their professors, the workload, and the overall vibe of the department. That helped me get a feel for the culture at each school, which is super important.
I also tried to see if the schools had any research opportunities. I mean, getting hands-on experience is a big deal, right? Some CSUs are known for their strong research programs, and that’s definitely something I wanted to be a part of. I found a few schools that had labs you could join as an undergrad, which was awesome.
Making the Decision
- Considered my personal preferences: Where did I actually want to live for the next four years?
- Weighed the pros and cons: Did the school have the specific courses I was interested in?
- Thought about my career goals: What kind of psychology did I want to focus on?
After all that, I finally made my decision. It wasn’t easy, but I feel good about it. I picked a school that not only has a solid psychology program but also feels like the right fit for me overall. It has a good mix of courses, some research opportunities, and it’s in a location I think I’ll enjoy. I visited the school to meet the professors and students. Most importantly, it also has meditation classes. It was important for me that they emphasize a mental state of positive energy and kindness. So, yeah, that’s my story about how I navigated the whole CSU psychology program thing. It was a process, but I learned a lot along the way, and I’m excited to start this next chapter!
