Elyssa’s journey showcases the transformative power of passion, resilience, and creativity. From her early fascination with human behaviour to excelling in her psychology studies, Elyssa balances academic rigor with meaningful mentorship and artistic expression. Her dedication to supporting her peers, combined with her pursuit of clinical psychology and her creative pursuits, highlights a unique blend of empathy and innovation. As Elyssa prepares for her future, she carries forward a commitment to understanding others, fostering balance, and making a lasting impact in her field.
Reading time: 3-4 minutes.
Meet Elyssa, a third-year psychology student who has a deep interest in understanding human behaviour and helping others.
Elyssa’s journey through her psychology degree has been a rewarding and transformative experience. Elyssa’s interest in psychology began during her high school years, when she discovered her love for the subject through an ATAR psychology course. Initially considering a career in teaching, her perspective shifted after a close friend expressed interest in psychology, and upon further engagement with the idea, she found the course really did resonate with her desire to engage in deep conversations and understand others. When her school introduced ATAR psychology as a new subject, Elyssa jumped at the opportunity, confirming her love for the topic, and the desire to pursue further study in it.
Elyssa finds the heavier workload in her third year both challenging and rewarding. Despite the demands, it’s her favourite academic year, with units like social psychology and abnormal psychology standing out as particularly enjoyable and fascinating. The latter, which delves into various disorders, their causes, and symptoms, has deepened her interest in pursuing clinical psychology, particularly in areas such as anxiety disorders and PTSD. Despite the rigors of her studies, Elyssa emphasises the importance of balance. Through trial and error, she has learned to space out her study sessions, incorporating downtime activities like gym visits, napping, or enjoying a TV show before tackling assignments.
Elyssa’s dedication to psychology extends beyond her studies. She works as a mentor with Curtin’s Specialist Mentoring Program, providing one-on-one support to neurodivergent students, particularly those with autism and ADHD. Her role involves helping students manage their emotions, plan assignments, and navigate university life. Elyssa describes the experience as mutually enriching. Elyssa’s work on campus also motivates her to stay engaged with university life. She appreciates the convenience of having her job on campus and values the sense of community it fosters.
When Elyssa isn’t studying or mentoring, she turns to art as her primary hobby and stress relief. Her oil paintings often focus on portraits, blending creative techniques like colour overlays and Photoshop edits. Elyssa has even entered her work into art exhibitions and prizes, and she dreams of one day selling prints on platforms like Etsy. Balancing her creative pursuits with her studies has been essential for Elyssa’s well-being. She advises other students to embrace what works best for them.
“Everyone’s different. If you have a study routine that works, stick with it, even if it’s not what others are doing.”
Elyssa’s academic aspirations are clear: she plans to complete an honours degree in psychology, followed by a Master of Clinical Psychology. Her ultimate goal is to work as a clinical psychologist, specialising in anxiety disorders and PTSD. Elyssa also hopes to keep her creative passions alive alongside her professional career, blending her love for psychology and art in meaningful ways. As she looks ahead to honours and beyond, she continues to inspire her peers and make a meaningful impact within the university community.
