1.	Is attending college worth the costs involved?	

2.	How can students make the most out of their college experiences?	

3.	What is psychological literacy? What does it mean to become psychologically literate?	

4.	Why are some college graduates with a psychology major unhappy with their choice of major?	

5.	List some reasons indicating that attending college is likely to be a good choice for a student.	

Answer Key

1.	All signs continue to suggest that a college degree is a sound investment. College graduate make much more money across their careers than do high school graduates (college grads were found to make on average 98% more per hour compared to those without a degree), and the type of work they are eligible to do is often more interesting and engaging. On the other hand, the average debt load is approximately $25,000.00, but college graduates can anticipate earning at least half a million dollars more on average than non-graduates, so the risks involved are probably worth it.	
2.	Besides studying and doing well in their classes, students are advised to take advantage of the extracurricular opportunities that are available to them. These include participating in sports teams, clubs, social organizations, volunteer efforts, student government, and other campus groups. Finding a good balance between course work and recreational pursuits is likely to provide a worthwhile experience.	
3.	Psychological literacy involves learning a great deal about psychology and using that knowledge to improve one's own and others' daily lives. Becoming psychologically literate entails qualities like these:
Solving problems in creative, amiable, and skeptical ways;
Having a well-defined vocabulary of psychological terms and concepts;
Appreciating and respecting diversity, diverse groups, and people;
Being reflective about one's own thought processes and those of others;
Becoming adept at evaluating information and using technology; 
Being eEager to apply psychology principles to understanding and improving personal relationships, work issues, and community events;
Being aAble to act ethically and not out of self-interest;
Being gGood at communicating and doing so in different ways (writing, speaking, public presentations) to different types of people and audiences.	
4.	An article published in the Wall Street Journal in 2010 indicated that psychology majors were often the least satisfied within six months after graduation when compared to the experience of students who graduated with other college majors. One reason for this finding may be that many psychology graduates did not spend sufficient time or effort to learn how to transfer their discipline-based skills from campus classrooms to post-graduate life. To have the best chance of success, psychology majors should make planful and mindful choices as they move through the major and beyond.	
5.	Has a clear understanding of motives for seeking a degree; 
Previous academic record predicts a successful transition to college;
Can set aside the time it will take to secure a diploma;
Has determined eligibility for financial aid;
Has considered what kind of living arrangements will be affordable;
Has some reasonable idea about what major might be a good choice; 
Possesses reasonable time-management strategies to keep up with course work;
Will be excited to learn with a wide variety of people;
Can live and function independently from family members;
Will be able to balance family and friends with school demands;
Should be able to cope with any debt load resulting from cost of education;
Is prepared to seek academic advicesing to clarify direction during college;