Miriam Idris
What is it like to be a Psychology student? Three questions for Miriam Idris (bachelor, second year).
What’s the most useful thing you’ve learned from Psychology?
‘It would be to understand the different kinds of behavior people show and learning that certain things can trigger certain kinds of behavior. People usually have a reason behind their actions, and they might not be acting the way they do because they do not like you or because they want to be mean to you. There are so many different people with different stories. People are so diverse, not only in terms of background – where they’ve lived and what they’ve gone through – but also just each individual’s personal stories. I think that is really interesting and it helps you to have an open mind towards meeting new people and to be more understanding of others.’
What do you like and dislike about Psychology at UvA?
‘What I dislike is the amount of things we have to study. I feel like I’m always studying things for an exam just to forget it again. I do think that psychology is interesting, but I don’t enjoy the way I’m learning about it at the moment. I’m studying psychology because I find it interesting and I would like to do something in this field. On the other hand, what I do like is the international and independent environment. It also helps that the lectures aren’t mandatory, so you can kind of structure your own studies. For example, if you don’t feel like going to a lecture and you learn better on your own, it’s easy to structure your own day, especially now that everything is being conducted online. You can literally do whatever you want and really plan your day according to your wishes.’
What is the difference between staying with your family and staying with your roommates, during this COVID-19 pandemic?
‘When I’m staying with my family, I feel like a kid because I don’t really need to do anything. Of course, I can help but even if I don’t, groceries are being done and food is cooked. I still cook a lot because I enjoy it but not because I have to. However, you really have to take other people into account. For example, if I wake up super late and my family intends to have lunch an hour later, I won’t have an appetite for lunch. It’s difficult to adapt to these kinds of things, and not do whatever you want. When I live with my roommates, I feel like I have more control over my own life and more independence, while also having other people around me. It’s like I live alone but have friends over all the time. I’m not always hanging out with my roommates, but it’s also nice being in the living room with them while I do my own things. With regards to finding my own space, with my family, it’s a bit different because I don’t have a desk and all my belongings there. When I’m with my roommates, I can definitely find my own space. Each of us has our own room and I have a big room where I can do everything as I have a desk and bed. If I want alone time I can be in there. We also have a nice living room and balcony and even if we’re all in the living room, we don’t have to constantly talk. We just do our own thing.’
Miriam Idris
What is it like to be a Psychology student? Three questions for Miriam Idris (bachelor, second year).
What’s the most useful thing you’ve learned from Psychology?
‘It would be to understand the different kinds of behavior people show and learning that certain things can trigger certain kinds of behavior. People usually have a reason behind their actions, and they might not be acting the way they do because they do not like you or because they want to be mean to you. There are so many different people with different stories. People are so diverse, not only in terms of background – where they’ve lived and what they’ve gone through – but also just each individual’s personal stories. I think that is really interesting and it helps you to have an open mind towards meeting new people and to be more understanding of others.’
What do you like and dislike about Psychology at UvA?
‘What I dislike is the amount of things we have to study. I feel like I’m always studying things for an exam just to forget it again. I do think that psychology is interesting, but I don’t enjoy the way I’m learning about it at the moment. I’m studying psychology because I find it interesting and I would like to do something in this field. On the other hand, what I do like is the international and independent environment. It also helps that the lectures aren’t mandatory, so you can kind of structure your own studies. For example, if you don’t feel like going to a lecture and you learn better on your own, it’s easy to structure your own day, especially now that everything is being conducted online. You can literally do whatever you want and really plan your day according to your wishes.’
What is the difference between staying with your family and staying with your roommates, during this COVID-19 pandemic?
‘When I’m staying with my family, I feel like a kid because I don’t really need to do anything. Of course, I can help but even if I don’t, groceries are being done and food is cooked. I still cook a lot because I enjoy it but not because I have to. However, you really have to take other people into account. For example, if I wake up super late and my family intends to have lunch an hour later, I won’t have an appetite for lunch. It’s difficult to adapt to these kinds of things, and not do whatever you want. When I live with my roommates, I feel like I have more control over my own life and more independence, while also having other people around me. It’s like I live alone but have friends over all the time. I’m not always hanging out with my roommates, but it’s also nice being in the living room with them while I do my own things. With regards to finding my own space, with my family, it’s a bit different because I don’t have a desk and all my belongings there. When I’m with my roommates, I can definitely find my own space. Each of us has our own room and I have a big room where I can do everything as I have a desk and bed. If I want alone time I can be in there. We also have a nice living room and balcony and even if we’re all in the living room, we don’t have to constantly talk. We just do our own thing.’
