Undergraduate Research
Getting involved in research as an undergrad student can seem daunting, but it really isn’t as complicated as it sounds. I started my role as a research assistant at a developmental psychology lab on campus this semester (spring of freshman year), but I feel like it’s never too early or too late to get involved. The first step is deciding what kind of research you want to get involved in. I’m a psychology major interested in developmental psych, so it naturally made sense to join a lab focusing on that. To find opportunities that fit what you’re looking for, I recommend either going through the Office of Undergraduate Research or your advisor. You can even meet with a professor you think would have good recommendations (I met with my elementary psychology professor). You can also, of course, search for opportunities on your own, but I always like to get a second opinion. Once you find opportunities you’re interested in, you can fill out applications (which I honestly found to be the most challenging part of this process). Don’t get discouraged if you get rejected from labs; some might not be looking for many new people when you apply. Everything happens for a reason, and you’ll definitely be able to find an opportunity that is perfect for you!