Meet Saamiyah: MSc Psychology Conversion

I decided to convert to psychology because I’ve always been really interested in understanding people how they think, feel, and behave. While studying law, I realised I was more drawn to the human side of things than the legal side. I wanted to be in a field where I could make a real difference in people’s lives, especially around mental health and wellbeing. Psychology felt like the right path for me it fits with who I am and what I care about.

My undergraduate degree was in Law. Studying it helped me build strong analytical and critical thinking skills, but over time I realised I was more interested in the emotional and psychological side of human behaviour rather than legal rules or systems. I found myself asking why people act the way they do, not just what the consequences are. That curiosity naturally led me toward psychology, where I felt I could better explore those questions and work in a more people-focused and supportive way.

Coming from a law background, I developed strong research, writing, and analytical skills, which have really helped with understanding theory and structuring assignments. I’m also used to managing a heavy workload and thinking critically, which has made the transition into psychology smoother. Being able to look at things from different perspectives has definitely helped me get more out of the course.

I found myself asking why people act the way they do, not just what the consequences are. That curiosity naturally led me toward psychology, where I felt I could better explore those questions and work in a more people-focused and supportive way.

The biggest challenge was adjusting to a completely different way of thinking. In law, things are quite black and white, you're focused on facts, rules, and clear arguments. Psychology is a lot more complex and open-ended, especially when it comes to understanding people and behaviour. At first, it was a bit overwhelming learning all the new theories and research methods, but over time I’ve grown more confident and started to enjoy the challenge.

I chose the University of Law because it offered everything I was looking for, a supportive learning environment, a practical and well-structured course, and strong career-focused teaching. The Leeds campus was ideal for me; it’s a great location with a close-knit feel, and I liked that the class sizes were smaller, so you get more one-to-one support. The university’s support services, especially for wellbeing and careers, really stood out too. Even though it’s mainly known for law, I felt the psychology course had real substance and could help me build a future working in mental health or support services which is where I see myself long term.

I chose the University of Law because it offered everything I was looking for, a supportive learning environment, a practical and well-structured course, and strong career-focused teaching.

What I’ve enjoyed most is how relevant the course feels to real life. Psychology explains so much about people and behaviour, and I’ve loved being able to apply what I learn to everyday situations. I also really enjoy the mix of research and practical discussions; it’s made the whole experience more engaging and thought-provoking.

I work best with structure, so I like to break tasks into smaller goals and plan out my week ahead of time. I usually use a digital planner and set daily priorities. I also give myself short breaks between study sessions to stay focused without burning out.

Psychology explains so much about people and behaviour, and I’ve loved being able to apply what I learn to everyday situations.

It’s definitely about setting boundaries. I try to keep evenings and weekends mostly free so I can rest or spend time with family and friends. Volunteering and working as a student ambassador also give me a healthy change of scenery outside of studying.

Start early and stay consistent. I found that setting mini deadlines for each section helped keep me on track. Don’t wait until everything’s “perfect” before writing, get your ideas down and edit later. Also, regularly checking in with your supervisor is a lifesaver.

Yes, volunteering as a Family Support Worker has been a huge eye-opener. It’s shown me how psychological theories especially around child development, stress, and communication play out in real-life support settings. It’s definitely deepened my understanding of the course material.

There are so many great resources out there for psychology students! I’ve found YouTube really helpful channels like CrashCourse Psychology break things down in a fun, easy-to-understand way. I also love listening to podcasts like The Psychology Podcast with Scott Barry Kaufman it’s great for hearing real-world insights from researchers and psychologists. For textbooks, anything by Davey or Gross tends to be solid and easy to follow. I think mixing it up with videos, reading, and podcasts keeps things interesting and makes the content stick better!

Use active recall and spaced repetition basically, test yourself often and don’t cram! I also like to teach the material out loud to myself (or even to friends and family). If I can explain it clearly, I know I understand it.

I love using Notion it keeps all my notes and research in one place, which is a lifesaver when I’m juggling loads of different topics. When I need to really focus, Pomodoro timers are my go-to they break up the work into manageable chunks and help me stay on track. And Cite Them Right Online is such a handy tool for making sure my references are spot-on, especially when I’m in a rush!

The online library resources like Kortext have been super useful being able to access textbooks anytime has made studying so much easier. The academic writing workshops have also been a big help, especially when I was transitioning from law to psychology and needed to get used to a different writing style. Plus, the library team has been great they run workshops and are always there if you need a bit of extra support.

Be prepared to work hard, stay curious, and make the most of every opportunity to apply your learning.

I’m a student rep, which has been a great way to connect with others on the course and stay in the loop with what’s happening. I’m also part of a WhatsApp group with my classmates where we chat about what we’re learning, share interesting articles and news, and support each other with study tips. It’s been a really helpful space not just for academic stuff but for staying motivated too.

Go for it! It’s challenging, especially coming from a non-psych background, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. Be prepared to work hard, stay curious, and make the most of every opportunity to apply your learning. Don’t be afraid to ask for help there’s a lot of support out there if you need it.