Personal Statement:Psychology 355

Why do you want to study this course or subject?

I know that I am very different from other students. I have an extremely deep understanding and objective view on life, and so am passionate about subjects which help me gain a deeper understanding of the psychological factors that shape our actions and our lives. I had a fairly traditional introduction to the ideas of psychology and fashion as I grew up reading my mum's glossy magazines; but like so many others around me, my knowledge of the psychological affects fashion has on society was slim. So I was given the impression from a young age that fashion is, as it appeared in these magazines – glamorous and flawless. However, they didn’t address problems that directly affect society and that had already affected me whilst growing up, such as the misconception of ‘perfect’ body image and body dysmorphia.

As I became more aware of the gap between how fashion is perceived and the issues it brings to the surface, especially within mental health, psychology became very important for me, as I wanted to reconcile the two and make the industry more relatable and realistic for society. I have increasingly questioned the meaning behind unusual behavior, for instance aggression, arrogance and the techniques we use as humans, as defense mechanisms, such as humor. Wanting to balance my insight with the opinions of expert psychologists I purchased a subscription to The Psychologist magazine, which has also increased my thirst for the subject. I have learnt about the dynamic science of the mind, becoming informed of contemporary debates; for instance the Bystander Effect. One of the most intriguing articles I read was about the connection between sport psychology and the Olympics to mainstream psychology.

I am excited about the immense opportunity of studying psychology at university, gaining new skills, knowledge and a tolerance of the diversity of human nature and the psychological influence of social environment that I will undoubtedly gain. So I know that university will drive me on to achieve my full potential within the industry that I am passionate about.

How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?

Throughout my A-levels, studying French allowed me to develop my character bringing forward strong opinions on subjects such as social minority groups, immigration and individual behavior. Unfortunately I had not discovered my passion for psychology when the time came to choose A-levels. Nevertheless throughout the two years I dedicated a lot of extra time to discovering the explanations behind the human mind such as the behavior of people with mental health problems. Though now, I still feel that I have barely scratched the surface of this subject. As well as how the environment around them can cause extreme chemical reactions within their brain.

Studying both French and Textiles was formative because there was a set of overlapping modules which really addressed the issues of psychological difficulties and the peer pressure that is put on young people today. Strangely this new knowledge has helped me to better understand myself and develop confidence in leadership and debate.

What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?

Since the spark of my interest for Psychology I have spent time doing extracurricular activities in order to gain experience; such as volunteering for Brent Active Citizens as mentor for young people with mental health problems and this has allowed me to use my understanding of how others think and feel and put it into practice.

Above all, I believe I am a hard working and disciplined student with very optimistic, but realistic goals.

How personal statements have changed?

The current personal statement format, with three 'scaffolding' questions, was introduced by Ucas in September 2025. This personal statement was submitted before then, using the old essay-style format. It has been carefully edited into the three-question format, with all of the original wording kept.

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