Students' advice (my organization with student comments in quotes)

Here are the students’ advice to future students.

The Psych Department has TONS of resources for this class for a reason:

"You will not know everything and you can't expect to learn everything from the textbook or even the lectures (not that the lectures aren't interesting and understandable, but sometimes people will ask complex questions with complex answers and you might need more clarification) so go to mentor sessions and office hours because it does help."

"Take advantage of all the resources that are out there."

This class addresses the extremely valuable skill of applying formal statistical models to real-world questions about data.

"You really need to know how to apply the concepts you learned in the class when you take exams! For example, exam 3 was really a matter of whether or not you really understand the concepts and know how to apply it."

"It is important to understand some stats models, at least how the numbers produce meaningful results. It might not be necessary to know the mechanism behind the analysis. Just know why they work and know which model to ask the computer for."

Ongoing themes you'll see below: Ask questions (on Piazza and in class), work in groups, and use the fact that I offer lots of feedback and opportunities for revisions

"Take advantage of the revisions! And Piazza! (Especially Piazza, Damian is the most accessible professor I've ever had and provides insanely comprehensive answers to all questions)."

"Entering this class as a first-year student, I was not confident that I could do well in the class. But I learned that Damian is super enthusiastic about us learning and doing good in the class. That's why there are revisions available and a long period for test prep and low-stress final exams. Take advantage of whatever chance he gives you because in the end, it will help. I know Methods does not focus on one "concentration" in psych but it applies to all the fields in psychology so it's important to take this class seriously.

"A good strategy is to

"1) Not only read the textbook but take notes because writing things down always helps

"2) Study with others. The more brains the better to solve through a hard concept

"3) Utilize Piazza because Damian will usually respond within an hour with an answer"

"Ask questions, use piazza, work through things with peers. If you want to revise your work, don't wait to the last minute. The exams are direct applications of the stuff you learned on the problem set, so working hard on them is a win win. Knowing how to reason through the material is the most important part of this course."

Learning and science is ideally an open, social process. So, reach out and share your perspective and learn from other perspectives. None of us--not even me--can get by on our own

"Make sure that you compliment your own studying with taking advantage of your class mates and their knowledge to study in groups.

"As the professor has repeatedly said, SPEAK UP AND ASK QUESTIONS! I understand how students do not feel comfortable asking questions because they fear that it makes them look weak or incompetent (I was there once and I'm still working on it). However, there's absolutely no point in grappling the question by yourself. It's simply a waste of time. There's a reason why you don't understand something so trying to magically pull it out of your head would be very hard. Ask your mentor and professor for help since they know a lot about the topic and can give you the tools to help understand the concept.

"I also found studying with classmates and peer reviewing each other's papers very helpful. We each come with our own strengths and weaknesses. By teaching or explaining a concept to someone, it not only helps the other person but also yourself because it helps to reinforce what you understand. Having a classmate explain a concept to you is also nice because they may be able to explain it in a new way that makes more sense to you. Also, having an extra pair of eyes reading over your paper is always a plus."

All of the feedback I provide in this class really can be useful

"Use the option for multiple submissions. Really read the notes for revision: they'll help for the next paper."

"Be prepared to very, very wrong a lot of the time, and when (not if) it happens, take it and figure out how to change your thinking to incorporate it. Work on that second paper as soon as you are done with the first one (yes, that means a month and a half ahead of schedule, you will thank me later), triple check APA, and if you have questions talk to Damian. It's almost like he knows this stuff really really well or something."

"Don't be discouraged by a bad grade on a paper that has more red on it than white. You should make time to turn in revisions as you will become a better writer and increase your understanding of the papers and topic (and improve your grade)."

Students emphasize that wellness, discipline, and beginning work early are crucial

"Be honest with yourself and breathe."

"Do your homework really diligently because you can't revise them."

"Do not wait until the end of the semester to rewrite your papers."

"Get your work done early, revise often."

"Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs is real. When my base life needs aren't being met, my educational goals (like meeting deadlines or getting good grades) are going to be tossed out the window. Sometimes taking steps to meet my needs is the key to taking steps to better my education."

"Get work done early, especially if there is the option to not have to do it later."

"Always keep an eye on the syllabus. It is always better to start working on the homework earlier."

"Finish the papers as soon as possible."

Similar information in helpfully bulleted points here

“1. Stay Healthy

"2. Start the second paper earlier -- Damian is a strict reader

"3. Make sure you read the textbook -- at least the summary

"4. Prepare well for the debates -- if you have a good preparation of the debates, you prepare well for the exams.

"5. Enjoy data interpretation and construct validity”

(Emphasis mine! Enjoy the class.)

Stay actively engaged!

“-Ask questions. Ask A LOT of questions because someone else probably has the same question, too.

"-Write the papers early.

"-Make a study guide for every exam.

"-Do homework in groups.”

Students are keen on sharing five-point recommendations, I suppose:

"1. Revise early and often.

"2. Always check to see when homeworks are due because Professor Kelty-Stephen never mentions them until the day they are due (which is too late). [DKS edit: the syllabus is for you, not for me]

"3. Read the book! I know this sounds like a given, but it really will help you.

"4. You're going to feel like you don't know anything at first, but that's okay. Ask questions if you have them!

"5. Don't let this class's reputation get to you, if you put in the effort to understand the material, pay attention in class, and ask questions you will succeed (:"

Sometimes there are 6-point recommendations:

"While I prefer paragraph, prose-form writing, I think it best to resort to a bullet-point list here.

"1. Start the papers as soon as possible. Expect to revise a lot, don't count on getting it "right " the first time (or, in my case, the fourth time).

"2. Utilize Piazza early and often --- asking questions and practicing self-advocacy are some of the most important skills a college student can have. And, in this class, we get to practice those skills (we are actually rewarded for it) free-of-charge.

"3. Take the HW seriously, not because they factor into the grade (they do, 20%...) but because they are the best way to reinforce what you are learning. This class thrives on ambiguity and theoretical stuff, and the HW is the best way to ground what you are learning in more concrete terms (for those, like myself, who may need that).

"4. Find someone smarter/more capable/awesomer than you are and ask them to read your papers and/or study for the exams together.

"5. The hot seat isn't scary at all (this from someone who is quiet/shy, occasionally stutters, and is anxious in general). 60% of what people said was "I don't know" and that was OK!!!

"6. Enjoy the experience --- you will learn a lot even if you don't realize it."

I like that students recognize it's okay for learning to take time and to take active practice.

"Don't worry so much about it, there are things you'll get wrong your first time through but you'll always have opportunities to do them right the second time."

Learn to become comfortable and confident with what you know, and take a moment to bet on your best guess. If you're investing the effort, then it's worth making the mistake and learning from collaborative learning process.

"Don't get too stressed out about the 'hot seat' format. If you've done (most of) the readings, you'll have something to contribute. Plus it's okay to be wrong."

Key themes in student advice

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