Kick-start your career with a BPS student membership

We've caught up with three psychology students to ask them why their BPS student membership means so much to them, how it's shaped their learning experience and why they would recommend it for anyone completing a BPS-accredited undergraduate degree or conversion course.

Paweł Góral- Buckinghamshire New University

I first heard about the BPS through my lecturer.

Our BPS memberships are provided by the university as part of our course and we're encouraged to use them as much as we can in order to make the most of the resources available to us and support our future career development.

I've found the BPS online communities really useful. I've seen people making friends and asking important questions and I think in some way, all new students have the same questions - so it's nice to see how different people respond to these.

I think that the wide range of events on offer through the BPS will really help me to develop my skills and as members, we receive exclusive discounts on these - which is a big help!

I would encourage all psychology undergraduate students to take advantage of their membership and play an active role within the BPS.

It's really rewarding and the support you will receive will be vital as part of your studies and future career aspirations.

Holly Nicoll - University of East London

I was given my membership of the BPS and it proved to be really important for me.

Having a membership was about being part of a community where there's regular discussions taking place and I eventually want to do a PhD - so my membership gives me the stepping stones to see how other students are approaching different topics and discussions.

I feel like being a member has prepared me well for my course. If I'd joined after I started my course, then I wouldn't have been as prepared as I am.

I wanted to get involved in the member networks as much as I could.

When studying for my undergraduate degree, I didn't take as many opportunities as I wish I had, and I've learned from that. With my psychology degree, I wanted to do everything that I can to be the best that I can be.

Before my course started, I really made the most of my membership. I read discussions that are going on and I was aware of conferences and webinars that were coming up.

I also knew that I could get discounts on books - which as a student is really valuable.

For any students considering joining the BPS, I would say join before you start your course. I think that's really important because I've learnt so much. I felt so prepared going into my postgraduate degree and it didn't feel daunting at all.

If you can be part of a bigger community where you've got the support and you've got the up-to-date information, then a BPS membership will really make you stand out from the rest.

Natasha Benjamin - Coventry University

I haven't been a member of the BPS for long and initially, I didn't realise that I could join as a student. I found out about the membership because our course director sent a message to everyone informing us that we could join and I thought, I'm absolutely doing that!

I wanted to join the BPS because it opens up so many opportunities. Membership enables you to meet people in the same boat as you and attend events.

The student community is really useful and it's good to be aware of the different things that are going on in the profession. It allows you to talk to other students and lean on each other if you need to.

As part of my course, there is a platform we can use to contact each other, but a lot of students have children and families so there's not the same opportunity to socialise.

The student community is a good opportunity for me to speak to my peers. I always keep my eye open for events that will help me decide which route to go down in the future.

It was definitely worth joining because there will be things that I can learn, get involved in and perhaps contribute. I think there's a wealth of opportunity there. You can attend events, talk to people and access The Psychologist.

You really can use your membership in the way that benefits you. Joining the BPS has just made me feel like I am part of a community - which is so important when you're completing an online degree like I am.

You can feel very isolated very quickly but by being a part of the BPS, you don't feel so alone.

Join our community today

Supercharge your studies and get set for your career in psychology by becoming a student member.

We have a community of over 65,000 people, all passionate about psychology, who are right behind you - and we can't wait for you to be a part of it.

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