Lee

Bachelor of Psychology, PhD (Psychology - Science)

Why did you choose to study Psychology at Newcastle?
I decided to attend the University of Newcastle because of the Open Foundation program. Being a mature entrant I needed a matriculation course that not only gave me an entry rank for University but also allowed me to get back into the swing of full-time study. The open foundation course allowed both of these as well as allowing me to meet people in a similar position. These people became some of my best friends.

What was the best thing about the Psychology program?
The B.Psyc at the University of Newcastle was diverse, covering most, if not all the relevant areas of psychological enquiry. This diversity allowed intrinsic interest to be maintained throughout the four years. There was never a dull moment as you moved from completing essays on psychopathology to studying for exams in biology or mathematics. The student leaves with an equally wide knowledge base and allowed you to find your niche.

Another highlight of the degree was the other students. Studying at Newcastle allowed me to meet and befriend people from all over the world. These are some of the nicest and brightest people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing and they helped me through the hard times in my degree.

How did you find the support and service of staff at the University?
One of the highlights of studying at Newcastle was the support offered by both the academic and general staff. Their first concern was the success of students. Throughout my degree and honours year every possible assistance was afforded. This assistance gave me every chance to achieve my goals at University. My honours supervisor, Professor Andrew Heathcote, epitomised this high level of assistance by ensuring that not only myself, but all the students in my group had all the information and assistance necessary for success. Special mention should be given to the administration staff, whose knowledge regarding the degree rules and all other aspects of University study was a life saver on more than one occasion.

Where are you currently working and what are you currently doing? How has your Psychology degree helped you in your professional life?
I'm currently getting ready to start my PhD in the New Year (2007). My focus will be on cognition and memory in particular. This is an area that is of interest to me and am glad to have been given the opportunity to further my studies in this area.

What advice would you give to future students considering studying Psychology at Newcastle?
The advice I would offer to prospective students is not to underestimate the value of friendly students, caring academics and skilled general staff. The University of Newcastle can offer all these as well as offering a variety of courses appealing to all tastes.