During the summer of 2024, I was debating whether I should take a Psychology course here at South. I had friends who took AP (Advanced Placement) Psychology their senior years, so I eventually decided to. Since it was an extra class, I no longer had any more free time in my schedule. I was also very skeptical about the topic in general. I frequently thought to myself, why was it important? I already know everything about myself! However, my hypothesis was proven to be wrong.
Psychology isn’t just something you read out of a textbook; it’s a field that has a real-world impact. I was able to apply everything I learned to my life. I came to understand why my heart began to race when I was nervous and why I felt so drowsy even though I got eight hours of sleep. It’s all about REM (rapid eye movement) cycles! Learning about why I felt the way I did really opened my eyes to the world of understanding my intricate feelings. The more I learned about the brain, the more I started to recognize the terms I learned in class.
Now that I’ve been learning about psychology for some time, I’ve also been able to use this class to understand others. Because I know what processes the human brain goes through, I find myself to be more empathetic with others. You truly never know what other people are going through.
Psychology taught me that humans are complex, much more complex than what is just on the surface. So while the class is rigorous, it offers insight to human behavior that is often overlooked.
Taking AP Psychology has truly been an eye-opening experience for me. What I initially thought would be just another class turned out to be so much more–an exploration of the human mind that not only helped me better understand myself but also deepened my empathy for others. If you’re debating whether or not to take AP Psychology, I can confidently say it’s worth it. It’s a class that challenges you, but also equips you with the tools to better navigate your life.