As you read the article, pay attention not only to the research itself but also to how it is organised. Most psychology journal articles follow a standard structure—Introduction, Method, Results, and Discussion (often referred to as the IMRaD format). Understanding the purpose of each section will help you locate information efficiently, evaluate research critically, and build confidence in reading scientific literature. Becoming familiar with this format before you begin your studies will give you a valuable head start for your first year.

You don't need any prior knowledge—just curiosity. As you watch, think about the questions each speaker raises, how the evidence supports their ideas, and how psychology helps us understand human thoughts, feelings, and behaviour.

These videos aren't required viewing, but they're an excellent way to prepare for university, spark your interest, and build confidence before your course begins. Enjoy exploring the world of psychology!

As you listen, think critically about the ideas being discussed and consider how they relate to human thoughts, feelings, and behaviour. Some podcasts are designed for a general audience, while others feature interviews with researchers and psychologists, giving you an insight into the latest developments in the field. Listening to psychology podcasts before you begin university is a great way to build your curiosity, develop your scientific thinking, and start engaging with psychology as a discipline.

Reading around the subject is an excellent way to develop your curiosity, broaden your understanding of human behaviour, and discover the many different areas of psychology you may study during your degree. As you read, think about the questions the authors raise, the evidence they use to support their ideas, and how psychological research helps us understand ourselves and others. You don't need to read every book on the list—simply choose one or two topics that interest you and enjoy exploring the fascinating world of psychology.

Take some time to explore Google Scholar and try searching for topics that interest you, such as memory, mental health, personality, or social media and behaviour. Notice how you can refine your searches, identify the authors, publication dates, and journals, and access articles where they are freely available. Becoming familiar with Google Scholar before you start university will help you develop effective research skills, build confidence in finding reliable evidence, and prepare you for studying psychology using scientific literature.

Take some time to explore topics that interest you, such as anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), eating disorders, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia. As you read, consider how each condition affects people's thoughts, feelings, and behaviour, and reflect on the importance of using accurate, evidence-based information when learning about mental health. Becoming familiar with these resources before starting university will help you build your knowledge, develop your understanding of psychological wellbeing, and appreciate the role psychology plays in supporting mental health.

Take some time to explore topics that interest you, such as anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), eating disorders, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia. As you read, consider how each condition affects people's thoughts, feelings, and behaviour, and reflect on the importance of using accurate, evidence-based information when learning about mental health. Becoming familiar with these resources before starting university will help you build your knowledge, develop your understanding of psychological wellbeing, and appreciate the role psychology plays in supporting mental health.