The home- where I wish to be (& why)

From the blurred vision which knows nothing of the world to the concluding vision that crosses to oblivion, the mind is invariably in action which being so validates psychology, regardless of any scepticism held against it. Many people generally turn a blind eye towards mental illness or they strongly convict it to be due to diabolical acts as in exorcism rituals in India. What causes people’s faith in these rites? It is the ignorance of people towards the severity of the matter that makes me eagerly seek expertise in psychology.  

Studying psychology feels like home to me. It satiates my inquisitiveness towards understanding the world around me by studying human behaviours in their interactions with the environment. Psychology substantiates that modern humans have evolved into having a powerful mind capable of producing thoughts and not merely differing from the later members of Hominidae in anatomical structures- braincase, jaws and teeth. Rhonda Byrne eloquently sets forth on this in “The Secret”. She mentions how powerful we are with a mind that can perceive, and therefore mental forces are at the very core of our meaningful existence.

My inspiration to engage in extensive research work owes to my interest in understanding experiments like Cognitive Dissonance by Festinger and Carlsmith. It was engrossing to discern people changing one of their inconsistent elements to reduce the dissonance. Apart from learning about people’s need to maintain consistency between thoughts, feelings and behaviours I was also captivated to know more about human behaviours. 

While my curriculum introduces basic ideas, principles and methods in Psychology it also encourages me to relate psychological concepts with everyday human behaviour and other life experiences. Lesson on psychological disorders aroused my interest in Clinical Psychology following which I came across Oprah Winfrey’s talk show hosting- Truddi Chase, a woman who split into 92 distinct personalities. Kim Noble was another guest with the same diagnosis-DID, at the show. Such a creative coping response against mental trauma made me curious about abnormal behaviours. How can childhood trauma lead to a complex psychological condition like this? 

All of this resonates with my desire to embark on a learning journey with equally passionate individuals. Getting the opportunity of studying psychology inside out and discover all the hidden and unhidden rooms of my home inspires me truly.
Illustrating the school newspaper during the pandemic necessitated resilience and also provided an outlet for my creativity and self-expression. Lively engaging in extracurriculars has taught me time management which is crucial for integrated learning at the university. It exhibits my communication skills, teamwork and openness to new experiences giving me live exposure to concepts from social psychology. Likewise, I noticed cultural bias obstructing fair conclusions during a MUN conference. I argued for objectivity, this insight is valuable to the scope of scientific psychology.
My academic performance demonstrates perseverance and awards for scholastic excellence verify my potential for rigorous study. I have also attained merit in the National-level Science Talent Search Examination, which displays my critical thinking skills. Statistical knowledge from ongoing Geography and the previous Standard Mathematics curriculum further qualify me for the course. English as a familiar discipline takes me a step closer towards being a prospective candidate. Two Golds in the IEO, participation in anchoring and elocution events among others authenticate the same.

“Home is where the heart is,” being aware that moving abroad can cause mental concerns and homesickness, I await making warm relations with people on the campus and around. This would not always be easy, as I know, but since this is a search for my home itself, I am convinced enough to do my utmost. On that account, I am encouraged to step out of my comfort zone, assess my flair in demanding conditions and apply my knowledge to professional practice.

(Oct 8, 2022. This personal statement got me into Kings College London which I ended up deciding not to go.) 

aditi 

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