The Psych Diaries

Loop earplugs don’t have raving reviews for no reason. These adorable noise cancelling ear plugs come in so many beautiful colours and styles. They also come in a variety of ranges tailored for different levels of sound cancelling. Choose the one that fits your needs (sleep, study, focus etc.). I actually own a pair of these in pink and they do wonders for focusing and studying when I don’t want to listen to music. I just pop them in my handbag in their cute little case and know I’ll always be able to focus wherever and whenever!

Another one of my at home study staples. Psychology students do a lot of writing and even more reading. Sometimes, I’m at my desk for 3-4 hours at a time just staring at my computer. I like my laptop stand because it elevates my screen for me, improving my posture and helping me stay comfortable to power through long study sessions. If you like studying in multiple locations and positions like me, you can just pick it up and take it with you!

Honestly, I hesitated before adding classic stationary to the list. Mainly because majority of psychology students operate solely in online readings and assignments. However, for visual learners nothing beats the old fashioned ‘highlight and sticky note’ method. For the students that prefer hand annotating, mind mapping and tactile brainstorming? Cute stationary is a must.

Similarly, these sticky notes might not suit all psych students. But for the ones who love hand annotations? These will be a game changer. I remember my friend introducing me to transparent sticky notes for the first time. I love these because you can scribble, highlight and take notes to your hearts content all without leaving a single mark on the actual book. They have a really clean look to them and stop your page from getting cluttered.

Planners are always helpful in university, and pocket sized ones are even better. Ditch the extra weight and gift your psych student an aesthetic planner that fits seamlessly into their tote bags or back packs. They won’t miss another deadline again. Hopefully.

When it comes to the actual experience of going to university and attending classes, your bag plays a huge role. Too small and you can’t fit anything. Too heavy and your shoulders will be screaming by mid-afternoon. The perfect psych student bag is a blend of aesthetic and functional. If you’ve never tried a lunchbox bag, check out Lovevook’s range. This is the type of bag I take to uni, and as someone who needs a snack to get through my lectures, it’s a life saver. The separate leakproof compartment is built into the bag, so you don’t need to pack an extra lunch bag.

Coffee, coffee, coffee. Or, if you aren’t a caffeine addict like Lorelai Gilmore…water? Tea? Whatever your beverage of choice, a good insulated and leakproof bottle is a psych student staple. Campus days involve lots of walking. From the library to lectures to tutorials…staying hydrated is super important. Plus, if you’re a bubble tea addict like myself, making my own saves money too!

These are a cute, super affordable study accessory built to reduce the strain of looking at computer screens. Blue Light glasses work by absorbing or reflecting some of the blue light waves that reflect of device screens to combat eye fatigue. They come in lots of cute designs and are a great addition for any aspiring researchers.

I’m not joking about the emotional support. Well, kinda. The truth is, dragging yourself to statistics lectures in the morning or staying up to write lab reports becomes a lot more bearable when you’re swaddled in layers of soft fabric. Spoken from experience. I wear my Comfrt hoodie everywhere. Libraries are always a little chilly so I take mine with me even in the warmer months. They even have designs with built in eye masks, perfect for sleeping in cla- I mean, what?

These are for the psych students that love to represent their degree. Most students aren’t going to want to walk around campus with a massive slogan screaming: I’m studying psychology, hear me roar. But, a tasteful pin or a set of stickers to decorate their laptop can be a nice way to pay homage without going over the top.

Enough with the dry textbooks and case studies! These books are what I like to call ‘psychology in practice’. They won’t teach you about structures of the brain or running T-tests, but they touch on themes close to the heart of any aspiring psychologist: vulnerability and resilience. These are the books that remind me why I chose my degree and to keep pushing, even when it seems like it will never end.

Psychology students are constantly at risk of burning themselves out. A mindfulness colouring book or journal is the perfect way to remind them to slow down and take care of their wellbeing too!

These are just funny. If they like a good joke mug, perfect. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea.