Psychology at the University Level: What to Expect and How to Prepare

Written by Cameryn Hauck

Psychology is one of the most popular undergraduate majors, and for good reason. Studying psychology allows you to better understand how people think, feel and behave while also building skills beneficial in almost any career. 

Like many, my interest in psychology stemmed from high school, particularly through taking an introductory course to psychology, anthropology, and sociology. Learning about personality disorders, the fundamental aspects of human development and different mental health challenges gave me the clarity that pursuing a career in psychology could be my life's work. Now, a few years later, as a 3rd year psychology co-op student at the University of Waterloo, I am actively working toward making this a reality and sharing what I have learnt along the way.  

Psychology Outside of the Classroom 

If you are considering pursuing psychology beyond a high school classroom setting it is important to question: 

• What is it actually like to study psychology at the university level?

• What am I hoping to gain by studying psychology?

• What can I do with my psychology degree? 

• What do I need to do if I want to go to graduate school?

The answer to these questions will help shape how you spend the next four years of your undergraduate studies, and this path will vary depending on the person. 

Psychology Streams: Arts vs. Science 

Following your decision to study psychology at a university level, you are soon faced with another decision, arts or science. Depending on your school of choice, psychology is often divided into 2 streams: one within the faculty of arts and one within the faculty of science. 

Taking psychology through the faculty of science requires completion of additional science courses such as biology, chemistry, physics or earth, and space sciences, alongside your psychology courseload. In contrast, taking psychology through the faculty of arts does not require these additional science credits. However, it is important to understand that psychology itself is rooted in science, regardless of the stream. Much of what you learn is grounded in biology, particularly brain development, neural communication, and physiological processes underlying behaviour. 

In my experience, many students are unaware of this scientific foundation, which is why the jump from high school psychology to first year university psychology can feel so significant. My advice is to choose the stream in which you believe you will be the most successful in. It can be helpful to explore your university’s program page, review course requirements and speak with upper year students to gain a stronger understanding on what your future may look like. For me this meant choosing psychology, co-op through the faculty of arts. 

It is also reassuring to know that whether you pursue psychology through arts or science, this typically does not limit your future career options. Graduate programs focus far more on research or volunteer experience and grades than which stream you completed. 

What Studying Psychology is Really Like 

One of the biggest surprises for many students is learning that psychology is both a science and a social science. While you spend time learning about mental health, different terms and human behaviour, you will also spend considerable time learning how to critically evaluate research, understand statistics and conduct ethical scientific studies. The research-focused training is especially important if you plan to continue on to graduate studies, particularly at the PhD level. 

Within your first and second year of study, you will likely take: 

• Introduction to Psychology 

• Statistics 

• Research methods 

As you move into upper years, courses become more specialized and you have greater freedom to explore areas that interest you. Some of these courses may include: 

• Developmental Psychology 

• Psychopathology 

• Physiological psychology 

• Social psychology 

• Cognitive psychology 

• Child psychopathology 

• Language development 

• Learning in the classroom 

Navigating New Leaning Environments 

University learning is fast paced, and falling behind can happen quickly if you are not staying on top of lectures and readings. Unlike high school, you won't have a fixed daily schedule. Lectures can be scheduled anywhere between early morning and late evening, meaning it is common to have gaps in your timetable. It is beneficial to use these gaps to your advantage, remain on campus and get some school work done as opposed to going home

Courses are typically taught over a three month period, followed by a three week exam period. Meaning a large amount of information is covered in a short time, therefore attending class consistently is extremely important. I remember beginning my fourth week of school, and feeling shocked that midterm season had already begun.

Additionally, psychology courses often include required readings. While these can feel time consuming and not worth your time, these readings can help to further solidify your understanding of concepts presented in class or introduce new concepts. All material is testable content. By completing course readings and attending lectures, you are setting yourself up for success. 

The freedom that university offers is one of the most exciting aspects of school. You have greater control over your schedule, your course choices and how to structure your time. However, this freedom also comes with responsibility. Without daily reminders or constant oversight, it can be easy to endorse yourself too much in the social components of university and put learning on the back burner, which becomes evident in later years. University is supposed to be a fun time, many describe it as the best four years of your life. Learning how to balance fun with responsibility early on allows you to fully enjoy the independence university offers while still setting yourself up for academic and personal success.

Life After First Year 

After first year, there are a few important administrative and academic steps to keep in mind. At many universities, particularly if you applied through the faculty of arts, you are often admitted as a general arts student. This means during or after your first year, you will need to formally declare psychology as your major. To do so, you typically must complete specific prerequisite courses and meet a minimum GPA requirement. Each university has different requirements, so it is critical to check and get familiar with the requirements early on. First year is often about exploring and building foundational knowledge, while the transition into second year is when your academic path becomes more focused and intentional. 

Secondly, for those students interested in research or graduate school, most universities require you to apply to a research specialization or honours research stream after first or second year. This stream involves the completion of more advanced research methods and statistics courses, and most importantly allows for the opportunity to write an undergraduate thesis in your final year. Writing a thesis involves conducting your own independent research project under the supervision of a professor, developing a research question, collecting and analyzing data, and presenting your findings in a formal paper. For students considering graduate school, especially a master’s or PhD in psychology, completing a thesis (i.e., independent research project in your last year of undergrad) is often critical. 

How to Spend Your Time if You’re Thinking About Graduate School 

If you are interested in becoming a psychologist, researcher, therapist or professor, graduate school is required. Graduate school is an umbrella term for education completed after an undergraduate degree and includes both master’s degrees and doctoral degrees (such as a PhD or PsyD). While you are no way required to have everything figured out after first year, how you spend your time over the next three years does matter. It's advantageous to think about the questions posed above. If graduate school is something of interest, it is important to gain research experience as early as possible. Getting involved in a lab allows you to gain relevant knowledge. Over time, this experience significantly strengthens your resume/CV. Graduate programs are highly competitive, often receiving hundreds of applications for a limited number of positions. The more relevant research experience you have, the more you distinguish yourself as a strong applicant, thus increasing your chances of acceptance. 

Your long term career goals will dictate your educational pursuits. Within psychology, two common doctoral degrees are a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD). A PhD is best suited for individuals interested in teaching, academia and research. A PsyD is more practice focused and designed better for those who want to work primarily in clinical settings, such as therapy and counseling. It is also important to understand the differences in program length and funding eligibility. PhD programs are often research-intensive and more likely to offer funding packages through assistantships, scholarships, or stipends. PsyD programs, while excellent for clinical training, are often less consistently funded and may require greater financial planning. Funding structures can vary significantly across institutions, it is best to connect with your academic advisor to gain a stronger understanding on what is available. Additionally, the Inside Clinical series at Enriched Mindset hosts students completing their master’s or doctoral degree. This is a great resource to visit for funding advice from students who have had success.

If you plan to continue your studies here is what helps most: 

1. Get involved in research early 

Graduate programs place a strong emphasis on research experience, as this is how you will be spending the majority of your time. Many undergraduate students volunteer or work as research assistants (RAs) in psychology labs. This gives you hands-on experience, strong reference letters and a clearer understanding on whether research is right for you. One of the best ways to get involved in research is to reach out directly to professors or their lab coordinators to inquire about available opportunities. Start by exploring the different labs at your university to identify those that genuinely interest you. For example, at the University of Waterloo, you can browse active labs through the department of psychology’s research page. After identifying labs of interest, take the time to familiarize yourself with their current research. Contacting labs that align with your interests ensures the experience will be meaningful for you and respectful of the professor’s time. When sending cold emails to professors it is important to remain professional and concise. Professors are extremely busy, therefore they do not have the time to read lengthy emails. When drafting emails it is most beneficial to illustrate the following key points: 

• Clear subject line 

• Brief introduction (name, year, relevant specialization)

• Why you are reaching out (mention a specific research topic, paper or project, explain why it interests you and connect it to your goals/experiences) 

• Highlight your relevant skills/experience

• Identify what you are looking for 

• Attach your resume/CV and unofficial transcript 

In addition, many universities post research and volunteer positions on internal job portals, so checking these regularly is highly recommended.

2. Get experience outside of the classroom 

Volunteering, internships and relevant part-time jobs can help you explore different areas of interest and strengthen your graduate application. These positions can include volunteering with children or youth, supporting mental health organizations and working in clinics, schools or community programs. Although this process can feel daunting and overwhelming at first, you can seek assistance and consult your university's career centre. Build a relationship with your academic/department advisor who has years of experience assisting students and can point you in the right direction. LinkedIn is another incredibly valuable resource when building professional relationships and searching for job opportunities. Checking job postings on LinkedIn or Indeed should become a habit. 

Co-op is another excellent opportunity to gain work experience related to your program. Through co-op placements, your school supports you in finding placements related to your studies by posting a wide range of opportunities on a dedicated co-op job portal. These positions span an entire academic term, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in a professional setting and develop practical skills. Co-op sequences are typically structured and assigned according to your program’s schedule. It is important to note that you must apply and be accepted into the co-op stream within your faculty, this is not something you can opt into after beginning your degree.

3. Focus on learning, not just grades 

The cutoff for most graduate school degrees in psychology is an A- in the last two years of study. However, graduate programs look beyond GPA. They want to see curiosity, commitment and growth. Programs value students who can apply classroom knowledge to real world settings, demonstrate clear interests, and begin developing their own research questions.  

The Different Avenues of Psychology 

A common myth is that psychology only leads to becoming a clinical psychologist or therapist. While this is true, psychology opens the door to many different paths including: 

Mental Health and Clinical Work 

• Counselling Psychologist 

• Behaviour Analyst 

• Registered Psychotherapist 

• Couples and Family Therapist 

• Registered Social Worker

• Crisis Support Worker 

• Mental Health Case Manager 

• Psychological Associate 

Child and Developmental Services 

• School Counsellor 

• Educational Assistant 

• Early intervention Specialist 

• Developmental Support Worker 

Healthcare Support Roles 

• Rehabilitation Specialist 

• Public Health Coordinator 

• Occupational Therapy Assistant 

Research and Academia 

• Research Assistant 

• Lab Coordinator 

• Data Analyst 

• Professor 

Business and Organizational Psychology 

• Human Resources Specialist 

• Talent Acquisition 

• Organizational Development Consultant 

• Industrial-Organizational Psychologist 

Law and Public Policy 

• Victim Advocate 

• Policy Analyst 

• Forensic Psychologist 

Each pathway requires different training and levels of education, but all are grounded in the skills developed during an undergraduate psychology degree. 

Stay Connected 

The Enriched Mindset Podcast and Blog are dedicated to providing students and early-career professionals with accurate, accessible information about the diverse career paths within psychology. Through conversations with students, graduate trainees, and professionals in the field, we share real insights into navigating undergraduate studies, preparing for graduate school, and building a meaningful career. We encourage you to stay connected with these resources as a source of guidance, inspiration, and practical advice throughout your academic and professional journey.

Final Thoughts 

Choosing psychology does not mean committing to one career path right away. An undergraduate psychology degree is a time for exploration, skill-building, and self-discovery. If you’re curious about people, interested in understanding behaviour, and willing to engage in both science and research, psychology can be an incredibly rewarding field of study.

It is important to remember that pursuing a career in psychology can be challenging, but never impossible with preparation, persistence and support. 

Here is what our team at Enriched Mindset wishes they knew before they started their undergraduate degree:

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/aeaaf1_5f869798782c4961a064fa9309beb30c/480p/mp4/file.mp4