Head first into psychology!

Finally! The first semester of general studies, obligatory for all first year students, is over. In other words: as the first semester ended, I took my last EVER mathematics test (or so I firmly believe). Now that I’m in my second semester, I can say proudly that I study psychology. But I didn’t expect the leap to be so steep.

As part of the Psychology of Adjustment class, we had an opportunity to visit the Bohnice sanitarium – and not just the facility, but also a patient who agreed to tell us about what had brought him there. By coincidence, he had studied overseas and was able to speak English, so even international students could learn about the serpentine path of his life. We were all both eager and nervous about what kind of “crazy” person it would be… Some students were active, asking questions that the patient answered with energy and joy (things just seem to go so well when you’re in the manic phase). Other students left with mixed emotions once the session was over. For my part, I confirmed that clinical psychology is what I want to study.

In Personal Psychology, we go back to our childhood and play games. But theory is also important, so to keep us focused after 8 pm, the teacher sometimes shouts “Are you happy?” at us with a broad smile. Sleeping is just impossible at such lessons, even if your body is all ready for bed. The level of the games changed to pre-school age during Pedagogic Psychology seminars, which were held nine to five on Fridays. Building little towns from wooden blocks, we barely noticed the teachers manipulating us and trying out three types of leadership on us.

The last lesson in Adolescence and Adulthood Psychology dealt another blow to my soul. It was explained to us that friendship between a man and a woman simply does not exist, shattering my illusions concerning all my “friendships” with the opposite sex. This has always been clear to men, but we women still cannot grasp it and believe that the polar opposite is true.

For the coming month, though, I have to let go of that (non)friendship matter and focus on studying for my exams and handing in essays, presentations and other assignments. Aside from doing other things, I teach English – and sometimes it’s more of a psychology lesson for me than it is an English lesson for my clients