On the surface, it’s a day of learning, networking and competing. But the many activities that take place during the High School Psychology Conference offer much more than that; potential students can see for themselves the innovative learning experience awaiting them at the University of Guelph-Humber.
High school students from across the Greater Toronto Area gathered for UofGH’s third annual psychology conference. A rare opportunity, according to Program Head of Psychology, Dr. David Danto, for these students to share their knowledge and gain insights into a future in the field.
A rare opportunity for high school students
The conference includes a range of events: a competition where students present research proposals specific to their area of interest; a Psychathlon – a term Dr. Danto coined to describe a psychology-themed trivia contest; and a panel discussion on the various research opportunities at UofGH.
“Students are cheering, they’re laughing, they’re excited – they’re having a great time with it,” says Dr. Danto.
It is this mix of opportunities within an intimate social environment that Dr. Danto is proud to highlight because it stretches beyond this conference – it’s what distinguishes this psychology program from others, he says. Whether a student wants to enter the field of psychology immediately after graduating, or wants to continue with graduate level studies, the psychology program offers a deliberate combination of academic theory and hands-on experience.
Dr. Danto says this dual focus reflects the broader aim of UofGH: “The University of Guelph-Humber is innovative in that vision – especially as far as psychology goes [as it has] traditionally been a field of study that bears fruit at the masters and doctoral levels.”
Opportunities that help launch careers
Students also benefit from small class sizes, which Dr. Danto emphasizes is not only important for better learning, but can also lead to critical opportunities: “The University has individuals you can talk to. It allows you to have close relationships with faculty. That matters because these relationships turn into research opportunities and assistantships. And it’s these opportunities that help to shape and launch careers.”
“The intimate learning environment, the research opportunities chiefly available at the undergrad level, the complimentary learning process shaped by dual theoretical and applied learning – [this is what] will keep as many doors open as possible for students interested in psychology.”