Meet the presidents of the Psychology Department Student Council (PSYC DSC)! The engine, the brains, and the heart and soul of the whole student council. They run the show, and without them, the show wouldn’t run at all. This week we sat down with co-presidents Katya Kredl and Ella Blondin who shared with us their personal experiences as Queen’s psychology students and their favourite parts of the DSC.
What is your favourite part of being a psychology student at Queens?
Ella: My favourite part of being in psychology at Queens would probably be the sense of community. The students, faculty, and staff all work together to foster so many opportunities to get involved and it’s fantastic.
Katya: I like the people, the students, and the faculty. Everyone is just so nice, whether you're asking your supervisor for help, or for your class, or walking by the offices, and wanting to help.
Tell me a little about yourselves! Besides being the presidents of the DSC, what are you involved with at Queens?
Ella: I am in my fourth-year majoring in Psychology and minoring in English Literature. I am part of several research labs, and have been involved with a few on-campus publications. Currently, I am completing a thesis with Dr. Stewart in the Queen’s Emotions and Risky Behaviour in Youth Lab. Last year, I was an Event Coordinator on the DSC and I’m so happy to have the honour of being co-president this year!
Katya: I am a 4th year Psychology major, Gender Studies minor and completing the Sexual & Gender Diversity certificate! I’m doing my thesis in Tara McDonald’s lab. I am researching friendship, attachment and students’ adjustment to university. I have been a research assistant in Sari van Anders’ lab and was a directed lab student in Meredith Chivers’ lab. I am especially interested in close relationships in social psychology. In second-year, I was the grad night coordinator for the DSC.
What do you want to do after graduating with your Bachelors in Psychology?
Ella: In terms of my plans after graduating from psychology at Queen’s, I hope to pursue a graduate degree in clinical psychology and research developmental psychopathology. Funnily, when I started back in first-year I was positive I would pursue law school and I really thought that was the only path laid out for me, but I just loved psychology and research too much not to continue on!
Katya: Post graduation I hope to pursue a PhD in Experimental Social Psychology, focusing on intimate relationships! I’m not sure where I’ll be after that, but currently my goal is to pursue a career in academia.
What DSC event are you most excited about?
Ella: The DSC event I am most excited for is PSYC 100 Trivia! This happens both semesters and is such a great way to review for the exam. Not only is trivia fun, but this event also has pizza, so I recommend coming!
Katya: I am excited for all of our winter events!! From Meet the Profs, to our open mic charity event, to semi formal—there's so much to look forward to!
What is something you would tell your first-year self?
Ella: It’s totally okay for your plans and path to change as you progress through life. Sometimes the experiences you least expect will be life-changing!
Katya: I would tell my younger undergrad self to keep an open mind! Even if something doesn’t initially catch your interest, it’s good to try a bit of everything. The psyc department at Queen’s has such a wide range of courses and research labs to get involved in. I was sold on clinical from the get-go and didn’t even know social psyc was its own discipline until second-year! Now, that’s my area of research.
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