Here are a few tips and strategies you can use to make the best out of your learning experience at UniPsych Symposium 2018!
1) Keep an Open Mind
Some of us have a career path already set in mind, and that's great. Still, be careful not to fall into the trap of tunnel vision and shut out other potential routes in the process. The purpose of UniPsych Symposium is to broaden undergraduates' horizons in Psychology. Therefore, the programme has been designed to encapsulate a wide range of modules. When selecting the sessions that you wish to attend, avoid getting fixated on a single field. Rather, experiment with other fields that you find intriguing, even if they seem to pale in comparison with your main interest. After all, you have three talks for the day, so there is further incentive to spread wide. You may well be rewarded with insightful information from surprising places.
In particular, we recommend that you pick different fields for each talk to maximise your experience at the Symposium. If you will be attending the Symposium with your friends, it may be tempting to attend the same talks together. Instead, we recommend splitting up to attend separate talks at the same time. Then, when you regroup later, individuals can take turns sharing the information they obtained. For example, if you had 2 friends going with you and everyone attended different talks, you would be receiving the benefits of 9 talks across 3 sessions - something that you wouldn't otherwise achieve if everyone attended the same talks. #teamwork
Experiment with other fields that you find intriguing, even if they seem to pale in comparison with your main interest.
Speaking of surprising places, you should also expect to be surprised. As students who have yet to to completely specialise in a field of our choosing within Psychology, there are bound to be things that we do not know. For example, a few careers or jobs may entail tasks and responsibilities that we did not previously realise. Or, there might be prerequisites or conditions before we can apply for a particular desired position. All of these are important elements that come into consideration when we are planning for our future.
Therefore, it is imperative that you are ready to embrace new information, even when it may contradict your existing opinions. Such situations may be inevitable. Don't fall prey to confirmation bias! Remember that the talks are here to help you refine your understanding of your interests, and are not meant to work against your ideals.
2) Do Your Research
Research is one of the infallible pillars of science. Use that to your advantage. It goes without saying that going prepared is the best way you can maximise your learning experience. Prior to the Symposium, be sure to read up on the fields that you have chosen. A quick search on Wikipedia, for example, can leave you amazed at the troves of information available on selected subjects. If you have textbooks on specific fields, a perusal of the introductory chapters may be useful too.
Along the way, you will discover questions that you can seek help from with the speakers. Therefore, keep your ears perked. A recommendation would have a note-taking instrument, such as a computer or notebook, record what you hear (if you are considering recording audio, please be sure to seek permission from the speakers beforehand). If you have plans to approach specific speakers, one way to distinguish yourself is to appeal to their areas of interest or fields of work. And how do you know what they are interested in? You do research on them in advance, of course!
The Internet is your oyster - to learn more about your speakers, you can search for their information on platforms such as LinkedIn, or through their organisational website. Of course, we won't let you go it alone - for a start, we offer information about the speakers' organisations and profiles >>here<<.
Going prepared is the best way you can maximise your learning experience.
3) Be Proactive
You can have an abundance of knowledge, but you can only benefit when you put it to good use. Tying in with our earlier point of the importance of research, being proactive is pivotal to maximising your concrete takeaways from the Symposium. The good news is that UniPsych Symposium is rife with opportunities for you to step up and make yourself heard.
The sessions are designed such that there will be time allocated for a Q&A session after each presentation by our speakers. That is the prime time to raise your burning questions. In addition, the panel session included in the final portion of the programme schedule will be another excellent opportunity to satisfy your curiosity or learn about opportunities. Our panelists - Dr Hanita Assudani (IMH), Ms Silma Sulaiman (MSF), Ms Geraldine Tan-Ho (NTU), and Dr Reena Dabas (SIM-GE, SUSS) - have extensive experience in their fields of work. Together, they will form a formidable source of information that you can capitalise on.
The programme also includes networking opportunities during lunch and tea time. In this case, the quickest way to a speaker's heart is through their stomach. Take the chance and approach your favourite speaker! For example, you may enquire about relevant internship opportunities, or obtain some career guidance and advice from the industry professionals. Or you could make some small talk and gain a potential connection in the process. There's nothing to lose and so much to gain.
4) Be Physically Prepared
Psychology students may know that first impressions are enduring - and the popular saying goes that said first impressions are created in the first 7 seconds of meeting. Dress well for the event to give yourself a confidence boost before you step out to network with the professionals. When you look good, you feel good, and it shows. You might just find your dream mentor or create a valuable connection - so come prepared.
Sleep early the night before the Symposium. Take care of your health leading up to the day. You don't want to catch a cold and spend the day struggling to concentrate. Drink water and eat your vegetables. Before you think that the above is common sense, be sure to double check if you're doing all of it in the first place...
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