Spring Semester So Far…

This semester is going by quickly so far, but my time management skills have been put to the test already! Most of my days are planned around work, class, research activities and homework/studying. Each week, I know when I am dedicating time to research and my job. The weekends are great for reading homework assignments, catching up on rest and hitting up the gym when the week doesn’t allow for it. This semester, I have been spending most of my research hours collecting data in the lab. We are running participants through the sessions now that PSYC 102 students are back. Later in the semester, I will cease collecting data for my project and begin analyses to prepare the poster.

This year has run more smoothly now that I have a year of experience under my belt. I had an easier time conducting a literature search, formulate hypotheses, drafting a background section and completing preliminary analyses. Overall, the proposal writing process was much easier than last year. As far as being a mentor, I love helping the first-year students with any questions or concerns they have. It is a great way to learn more about the students in the program, as well as understand some of the other projects that are being conducted. I believe it will be very helpful for them in the end, and I wish that this was in place when I was a first-year Research Rookie.

Last Year’s Experience

Last year, as part of the inaugural class of Research Rookies, I gained many valuable skills that will assist me through my collegiate career and prepare me for Graduate school. As a research assistant for the Emotion Regulation and Temperament lab in the Psychology department, I learned how to administer psychological measures, enter data into a database, behavioral code pre-recorded video sessions, and analyze data in preparation for creating a research poster. I am very thankful that I was able to work with experienced Graduate students, as well as undergraduates, in Dr. Bridgett’s lab, and I felt very welcomed into the lab as a freshman. Back in March, I was able to attend the Society for Research and Child Development’s Biennial Meeting in Montreal, Canada. There I was able to attend symposiums, poster presentations, and meet colleagues of Dr. Bridgett’s from across the country. This experience was life-changing and it made me realize the opportunities I have at my fingertips. By participating in Research Rookies as a freshman, I was able to start my research experience early and begin exploring the varied sub disciplines of Psychology that exist.

This year, I am very excited about my project. I am working with parent bonding in the first sixteen years of life and disordered eating behavior in college students on campus. By conducting a project on eating disorders, I have begun to feel as if this is the area I am very interested in. Also, I am excited to be learning more about doing research in Dr. Bridgett’s lab and potentially presenting two posters at another conference this coming summer in Minneapolis, Minnesota.