SGPsychStud: SPS Student Forum Conversations

Image Credit: https://www.facebook.com/spsstudentforum/
The SPS Student Forum was a very enjoyable event for students to attend, with lot of knowledge sharing done on that day.  Throughout the day, I have been having conversations with students. Here's some questions and advice that I have given some students.

A summary of general good comments:
"The talks are very educational and now students have a clearer idea of what is required to becoming a psychologist and what psychologists really do."
Question:  "What are some difficulties faced by psychology students?"
Answer:
"Psychology modules have a range of different subjects and requirements, from chemistry and biology to statistics and others.  It really depends on your strengths and weaknesses.  For a student who has no background in biology, he/she might face difficulties in modules that require him/her to study about the brain parts and the nervous system.  For a student who is weakness in maths, the statistics classes might be more difficult."  (Read this post)
Question:  "How do I decide which school to go to?" (For the JC and Polytechnic student)
Answer:
"Getting into local universities would be a good thing, as you are closer to your family.  But there is some comparisons between the local univerisities, e.g. the acquiring of a Honours degree.  NTU offers direct Honours, but NUS does not."  (Read this post)
"If you are considering overseas degrees, you will need to understand the differences between U.S., U.K. and the Australian training (see this post on years of training).  To be a psychologist in Singapore, you will need a Master's degree and 1000 hours of training (according to SRP).  This is most similar to the Australian system (read this post)."
Question:  "The talks are really good, but some of information that the speakers say are not very in-depth and we can already find out about them on the internet?"
Answer: 
"This is because some of the speakers are from the government ministries, and hence the information given may be restricted in some way."   
Question:  "The speakers have given a very bright and possible future that we can become psychologists, however what are the chances that a student becomes a psychologist?"
Answer:
"Let me be brutally honest with you.  As you already found out, you need a minimum of a Masters postgraduate degree to become a psychologist.  However, not all with a Master's degree will become a psychologist, and not all students will get a Master's degree.  Probably only about 20% of you will become a psychologist.  That's the truth.  The path of psychology is a difficult one."  (Rest this post)
"However you have to know your strengths and interests.  Psychology undergraduate degrees are very general degree, and hence you need to build up your experiences and portfolio through an exploration of your strengths and interests.  With your experiences, portfolio, and degree, this combination will help you in your journey to becoming a psychologist." (Read this post)
Question:  "Why should students apply for SPS membership? What are the benefits?"
Answer:
"Honestly, there are not many benefits. According to the SPS website, there are two benefits for student members:  (a) subsidised rates for events and (b) networking opportunities with psychologists and other members.  This may be seemingly nothing.  However, do not underestimate the Power of Networking!!  Networking with the SPS Council and members allows you to be in the loop for any upcoming issues or topics that may affect you as a student or your future career as a psychologist.  Hence it is really important that you often get chances to interact and network, and be in the in-group of psychologists."  (Read this post)
"Even for the SPS Full member, there are not much benefits and the main way to recoup the $75 membership fee is to attend the free AGM lunch/dinner which might go up to $65.  As for other members, including student members, they are not entitled to their free AGM lunch/dinner."
Hope everyone enjoyed your time and learnt something during the SPS student forum yesterday!!!

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