A year out before I embark on my degree in psychology

fizzyorange

Hey everyone.

The title says it all really. There is a large chance that I will have to take a year out before I head off to college and I am looking for beneficial things to do during the year, so I thought why not do some independent study.

Can anyone recommend a book, or a few, that would be easy enough to read for someone with no background in the subject? I might just try to find the book list for the course I am going into, but if anyone else could recommend anything that'd be great.

Another thing is, do psychologists often have free seminars or talks around the Dublin area? I remember throughout 6th year my friend went to a few talks by physicists, and I just wondered if any psychologists did the same. Also, if that is the case, how would one find out about them?

Thanks.

JuliusCaesar

Various mental health organisations will have public talks, like Aware, OCD Ireland etc. Trawl around the websites and you'll find them, get yourself onto mailing lists. Join the Psychological Society of Ireland as a student member (although you may need to be registered with a college). Keep an eye on the Brit Psych Soc website, there's free access to a number of articles in their newsletter. TED talks can be good too.

A basic Introduction to Psychology textbook might be worthwhile.

Don't forget there's a lot more to psychology than mental health issues!

If I remember any more, I'll add them.

jazzzzy

If you keep an eye on this website http://www.psychologicalsociety.ie/page/all_events you may from time to time see some free events/talks advertised. Also their Facebook page is worth a look!

This is the introductory textbook we were all required to buy for my course (Applied Psychology - UCC). It's quite expensive, but it'll be considered "the bible" during your study! http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0077118367/information_center_view0/book_preface.html

fizzyorange

Thanks very much for the replies, I will browse those sites and I think I'll look I to getting the intro to psych book that NUIM uses.

Thanks again.

sambuka41

You can also get some introductory lectures free on podcasts, I'm in work so don't have the link, but I was listening to UC Berkley lectures I got from iTunes.

Odysseus

I would go for some general introduction core text type books. Try to find out what core texts are use in some of the modules. I used to always read as many of the next years core texts during the summer holidays. I knew six months before first years that I had a place on the course, so I was reading them before the course started. I remember at the open evening the head of the department was amazed that I had read all of the PFL 15 books instead of the 24 of the SE. Though the standard Edition of Freuds work was only available in hard back at that time, and cost a lot.

God when I think back that all this started with a 12 week evening course in psychology. However, make sure you make time for to have some fun, go skydiving, or whatever it is that does it for. Best bof luck with it and enjoy your year off.