5 Things You Should Know Before Studying Psychology (2024)

From learning about personality differences to exploring how the study of the mind can intersect with the law, psychology is a fascinating field. However, there are a few things you should be aware of before diving headfirst into a psychology degree.
In this article, we’ve put together a list of what to know before studying psychology, so you can be fully prepared before starting your degree.

Is studying psychology difficult?

Whether or not you find the study of psychology difficult will depend on a number of factors. If analytic or scientific thinking is something you’re interested in developing, along with your academic writing, this degree will be suited to you. There’s also your own level of motivation to consider – are you inspired by the topic? And are you feeling ready to implement productive study routines?

Psychology degrees can have heavy course loads, and you’ll need excellent time management to stay on top of your studies. And since psychology looks at the intricacies of the human mind, the topics you’ll be learning might require extra study time.

Does a psychology degree require maths?

There are no mathematics prerequisites for a Bachelor of Psychological Science at Federation Uni Online. However, it’s important to be aware that within the degree, there will be units that require a statistical focus. These involve elements of mathematical insight, however, the largest requirements will be logical reasoning, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.

What to know before studying psychology

In this section we’ll explore what to know before studying psychology, to help you decide whether a degree in psychology is for you.

Psychology is a diverse field

For those asking themselves ‘Should I study psychology?’, it can help to know the kinds of topics you’ll be studying. In a Bachelor of Psychological Science at Federation Uni Online, you’ll learn about:

Therapy techniques are not typically included in an undergraduate psychology degree.

The workload can be challenging

At Federation Uni Online, a full-time load for psychology students is two units, and you’ll need to allocate an average of 12-15 hours of study per week for each unit. This can differ depending on your prior experience, however, it’s important to plan dedicated study blocks throughout the week. With good time management and support from Federation Uni’s planning templates, managing the psychology workload is achievable.

You’ll be doing a lot of reading and writing

If you’re wondering what it’s like to study psychology, it can be helpful to familiarise yourself with academic writing. A large majority of psychology assessments involve essays, literature reviews or research reports, so you might like to watch some instructional videos about academic writing and essay structure. Although you will be guided through these skills during your degree, being familiar with these concepts before you start will help you feel less overwhelmed.

You’ll need to learn APA referencing

Following on from the last point, psychology students need to follow the American Psychological Association’s (APA) referencing style when crediting authors in their assignments. Familiarising yourself with academic integrity – including how to produce work that’s your own – will make the transition to starting a new degree easier.

Becoming a psychologist takes time

There are many career opportunities for psychology graduates, including becoming a mental health support worker or a human resources specialist. However, if your goal is to become a psychologist, you’ll need to undertake further studies after completing an undergraduate degree.

In Australia, registration requirements are determined by the Psychology Board of Australia and registration takes a minimum of six years of education and training. The time commitment is one of the reasons why you’ll find people asking “Why is psychology hard to study?” – but if you’re committed and passionate, you’ll be well on your way to success.

Your grades can be important

A key point to know before studying psychology is that your grades can be important, particularly if you want to pursue further studies to become a psychologist. Not only will you need competitive grades to be accepted into honours or master’s programs, but having high marks will open up opportunities like research assistant positions, internships and placements which can set you apart from other students when applying for jobs.

You’ll need to develop good study habits

With a heavy workload and difficult content, studying a psychology course will require you to develop good study habits from the get-go. Setting up a dedicated study space that is both comfortable and free from distractions will help you stay focused, as will setting up a calendar for assessment deadlines. Federation Uni has helpful tips for effective reading and note-taking that can help you make the best use of your study time. If you’re wondering how hard it is to study psychology, good study habits will make it feel a lot easier.

Should I study psychology?

If you’re still asking yourself “Is a psychology degree right for me?”, as long as you have a strong interest in the field, a resilient mindset and motivation to stay on top of your studies, you’re likely to enjoy the course. Studying the human mind and behaviour is fascinating and the Bachelor of Psychological Science will provide you with a solid foundation to prepare you for a variety of career paths.

Feeling inspired?

To get started on your journey to studying psychology,  apply online today.