College Crunch

A psychology degree can lead to a high paying and fulfilling career. If you are in high school and are planning to get a psychology degree in the future, there are tons of options available that you may have overlooked. The most obvious way to grow your knowledge in psychology will be to take related classes while in high school. This will allow you to begin college with some valuable skills and information and could even provide you with a credit or two, depending on the programs offered in your area. Another way to start college with a great knowledge boost is to buy an “Introduction To Psychology” textbook and study it in your free time.

Taking classes related to psychology may sound like a no-brainer, but if your high school doesn’t have a lot of electives available, this can be quite difficult. Classes like sociology, criminology, and human behavior are some of the more common electives you may be able to take, but each school district will have their own unique curriculum.

The best thing you can do is to consult with your guidance counselor and tell them that you are planning to get a psychology degree when you graduate high school. Your counselor should be able to sign you up for the courses you will need to prepare for attending the right University to get your psychology degree. If there is a University in your area, your guidance counselor might even be able to set you up to take a class or two while still in high school so that you could earn credits before you even graduate.

If you attend a heavily populated high school, you might have to skip talking to a guidance counselor, and contact the University directly. This might have you attending class during summer break or leaving for one period during school, so make sure you consider transportation arrangements if it won’t be provided.

Whether you take every psychology class available at your high school or not, getting your hands on an “Introduction To Psychology” textbook could save you a lot of time and money when you first sign up for classes at your local University. Before purchasing a textbook, you absolutely have to call the University you plan to attend to find out what textbook is used by Professors. Some of these textbooks can cost over $100 and you don’t want to make a mistake and end up having to buy two of them.

If you read an “Introduction to Psychology” textbook and do the exercises found within, you may be able to skip the 101 classes altogether, write the exams and jump into something more advanced in a shorter timeline.

The most popular Introduction To Psychology textbooks on Amazon.com are:

• Introduction to Psychology: Gateways to Mind and Behavior (with Concept Booklet: Gateways, Concepts, Maps, and Review) by Dennis Coon and John O. Mitterer (Hardcover – Jul 11, 2006).

• Introduction to Psychology by Rod Plotnik and Haig Kouyoumdjian (Paperback – Jul 10, 2007).
• Introduction to Psychology by James W. Kalat (Hardcover – April 12, 2007).

These three textbooks are the most common and are sold new for over $100.00 or used for around $75.00. Remember to check with the University you plan to attend so you can order the correct book for use when you get there. You can usually sell them back to Amazon.com or to your university bookstore when you are through with the class.

Planning is the key to success in high school, so if you are certain you will be getting a psychology degree, do everything you can to make it easier when you get to a University. You might even be able to land a scholarship, if you excel in your classes. And with the current price of tuition, that’s something that is definitely worthwhile.

If you are interested in online Psychology Degrees, click this link for more information on available schools, courses, and sign up for a free information guide.