Discover the Path of Self-Reliance: A Comprehensive Handbook for Individual Projects and Inquiry for the Young
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By Jalisha Braxton, Natural Sciences Correspondent
As students in Psychology and other fields enter their junior year, they receive emails outlining the next two years of their undergraduate education. This is a crucial time, as plans for life after college need to be considered, whether it's entering the workforce, pursuing med school, or applying for graduate school.
One important aspect to consider is the possibility of studying abroad. The Office of International Program's Study Abroad page (http://www.princeton.edu/oip/sap/) offers valuable information about this opportunity. It's possible to undertake independent work during your junior year and still study abroad, but it's essential to stay informed about deadlines and to ask for recommendation letters early.
Another factor to consider is any entrance examinations that may be required, such as the GRE or MCAT. Awareness of these requirements is crucial to ensure you're prepared when the time comes to apply for fellowships. It's essential to be aware of any requirements before it's time to apply.
Reflecting on syllabi from previous courses in your department can help identify areas of interest. Junior fall is a critical time to start thinking about junior and senior year independent work. Choosing an adviser is crucial for guiding this independent work at Princeton, and researching professors and their research is important in selecting an adviser.
Attending lab meetings can offer a first-hand view of research-based independent work at Princeton and may lead to opportunities as a lab assistant. Junior year can be one of the best years of an undergraduate career with a bit of organization and planning.
However, the transition from sophomore year to junior year can be challenging, particularly for students in fields like Psychology where independent research is required. The search results do not always provide specific names of researchers at Princeton University working in the particular fields of interest to the student or who are familiar with conducting independent research projects. Lab websites of professors can provide insight into their research interests, making it easier to find a suitable adviser.
Discussing plans to study abroad with an adviser and looking into joining a research lab overseas is also recommended. Researching different fellowships is a good idea if they are of interest.
In conclusion, the junior year is a pivotal time for undergraduate students. With careful planning, organization, and the right guidance, it can be a rewarding and enlightening period of academic growth.
