Quantitative Psychology

My focus area is in Developmental Psychology.
Our school's focus is somewhat in Health Psychology, given the bigger number of faculty and student in that department, which is cool really, because Dev and Health have sooooo many overlapping research areas.
The other program offered within the Psychological Sciences department is the Quantitative Psychology. And this is.. almost like the adopted child of psychology. To me, at least.

First things first, don't get me wrong, Quan Psych is superrrr important to the field of psychological research. It is basically the combination of Advanced Stats and Psych Research.
But that doesn't mean it shows any (obvious) link to psychological research as we know it. It goes into details, somewhat like "behind the scenes" and it is just worlds apart from the journal articles we're so used to reading by now..

I'm in awe of all my quantitative psych classmates now. They're awesome. A little crazy. But awesome.

I've been reading about structural equation and growth parameters and Bayesian theory and I'm getting no where.. T.T
They're interesting, but I feel like I might as well be reading something about quantum physics or astrobiophysics or I don't know.. anthrochemistry. (If any of this exists..)

Somehow, this is a good challenge. Good because it made me realise all the crazy amounts of articles I've been reading really isn't that bad after all. At least I understood 80% of what it says.. And good because I know I chose the right field. And good because.. Well, I guess I'll be more proficient in stats and stuff like that, which would definitely help me in analysis.

So yea, it's a good thing.

And yea, obviously I'm trying (really) hard to be positive about this.

(Another) Revamp: First Post as a PhD Student

Hi blog,

I have decided to rename you. Something along the lines of "Life of a PhD Student" or "The Crazy Ups and Dows of a PhD Student" or you know, you get it. The thing is, I think I do need it. I need to be able to write and express my feelings and thoughts and emotions, and to be able to write in a non-academic way. I don't want to lose that!

So anyway, it's been a crazy two weeks (three?). I don't know I've kinda lost count. And more often than not, I lose sight of what my ultimate goal is, and focusing on all the little tedious steps really isn't helping. Perhaps keeping a journal/blog of my 5 year journey is going to save my sanity. That and dayre is just different. I like dayre cos it's small and compact and easy and nice for remembering day-to-day stuff, but nothing is as therapeutic as just talking and rambling and by talking I mean typing.

Okay, so what to expect when you're into your third week of a PhD program? Well, basically, everything and nothing.

Be prepared for lots of readings. Like Lots and lots and readings. That's not too bad really.

Be prepared to be doing "nothing". This is the hard part for me. As a PhD student all I want to do is jump into research and start my journey being a "scientist". And as much as you know, I have a good advisor and interesting topics and all its just not the way it works. It comes back to reading. You need to read to know the literature, read to get ideas, read to be able to hone in and determine what you really want to do.. Sounds easy? No. Not really. The waiting, the uncertainty, the "but I'm interested in everything" really doesn't do you any good.

Hopefully I'll be back with more good news. I mean I will. I should be getting busier, and hopefully more in tuned to being a future PhD holder.

I'll try to make my entries more objective and professional and about school, but let's be real, I'm pretty much an emotional person. Although that's now a weird word to use.. Considering we still can't define "emotion" yet, well thats what the literature review says anyway. (I'm taking an emotion class this semester, that should explain it)

Okay now. Blogging during my office hours are SO NOT professional.