First Semester of Grad School

A year ago, if you had told me that I’d be where I am today, I simply would not have believed you.

This August, I began my journey in the Clinical Psychology PsyD program at Nova Southeastern University, and what an incredible journey it has been so far.

Over the past four months I have been on the most amazing personal, academic, and professional journey, alongside an amazing group of colleagues whom I am so glad to call my friends. 

This semester has been nothing short of intense. My schedule consisted of seven courses, each offering a deep dive into its subject matter. Each class has broadened my understanding of diverse approaches to psychological assessment, treatment, and care for various populations. Although some of these courses overlap with what I studied as an undergraduate, they’ve provided a much more advanced, research-based perspective. For example, as a psychology major, I attended multiple lectures on Sigmund Freud, but in my Systems of Psychotherapy course, our in-depth exploration of Freud’s psychoanalytic therapy and theory of personality has given me a much richer understanding of his work than I had before.

The workload has been demanding. Daily readings are often several hundred pages, academic papers are due each week, and research-based presentations are a regular part of the schedule. One exam, for example, required me to write five essays over the course of three hours which demonstrated a deep understanding of key psychological theories. Other assessments were case-study and application based, while many exams followed traditional short-answer and multiple-choice formats.

The best way to survive the heavy workload? Late nights in the library with my friends. We’ve spent hours reading and studying together, usually with dinner of snacks (goldfish!). I am so appreciative to be part of this community of peers who are just as passionate about psychology, excited to study for hours, and eager to talk about our academic work. After a long week, a night discussing course work at a pub on a Friday night was a favorite activity. 

Beyond the classroom, I’ve had the opportunity to conduct a peer-reviewed literature review, titled Using Virtual Reality Social Skills Training to Reduce Bullying in Children with Autism: A Systematic Literature Review. I am thrilled to announce that this project has been selected for presentation at the APA Division 22 Research Psychology Conference in February. This project uniquely bridges my passion for Autism Spectrum Disorder with my undergraduate background in early childhood education, and I can’t wait to share my findings. Be sure to follow @Gould_Psych on Instagram to see the poster and hear about my main findings.

While academics have been my primary focus, I’ve also been enjoying my time in Florida. Amidst the studying, I’ve had the chance to explore beautiful beaches in Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, and Miami (though no sharks yet!). I’ve also rediscovered my love for running, and I’m excited to complete my first half marathon this February. I’ve even taken a job with the Admissions Department at the School of Psychology, which has been an amazing opportunity to develop my outreach and communication skills.

Most importantly, I’ve built friendships with incredible people who share my passion for psychology. I can’t wait to continue learning and growing with them over the next few years. Go Purple Powerhouse!

I want to take a moment to thank everyone who has supported me on this journey so far. I’m so excited to continue this academic and professional adventure at Nova Southeastern University.