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Studying at UCL truly transformed me. My technical abilities grew exponentially. I learned how to manage my time, work effectively and collaborate with people from different disciplines.
Devangana Prasad
BSc Psychology
Briefly describe your educational background and journey to UCL
Before coming to UCL, I was studying at Welham Girls’ School, a boarding school in India. In classes 11 and 12, I chose to study psychology, mathematics, biology, and political science. Though it is not mandatory to take these subjects, I think the first three subjects can contribute to a strong application to study psychology at UCL. Although I had gotten an acceptance from UCL in class 12, I chose to defer my offer due to COVID.
My choice to study at UCL was influenced by the strong research curriculum available here. Given that I am one of the only Indian students in my class, I would strongly encourage more Indian students to pursue psychology from research-focused curriculums, wherever that may be!
What are you studying, why are you interested in this subject and what do you plan to do in the future?
I’m studying BSc Psychology, which is offered by the faculty of Brain Sciences. I’m drawn to psychology because it has applications in nearly every sphere of our life. Psychological insights can help explain everything from clinical disorders and mental health issues to why we do (or do not) believe in climate change. I’m equally interested in parts of our course explaining overt human behaviour (e.g. social psychology) along with the more neuroscience related modules concerning brain activity, cognition etc.
Since our course is heavily oriented towards conducting and reading research, I am inclined towards doing some clinical research in this field after we graduate. That said, there exist several other roles that benefit from psychological insights including behavioural scientists, human resource managers, mental health workers etc., so I’m open to exploring other routes as well.
What is the most interesting thing you’ve done, seen or gotten involved with while at UCL?
I had a really great time working at the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience (ICN) during the summer of my second year. Initially I had thought that I would spend my summer doing a corporate summer internship. But as most second year students would know, that doesn’t always go as planned! So, I ended up doing a research placement at the ICN instead. It was a very rewarding experience because I got a chance to conduct research on autism and study intergroup biases in the thought processes of autistic and neurotypical individuals.
UCL has an unparalleled research infrastructure so I’m glad I got to take advantage of it and would highly encourage others to do the same at some point during their course.
Have you discovered any hidden gems during your time at UCL?
A less popular spot near campus that I like is Queen Square – a 10 mins walk from the main campus (close to Russel Square). Several UCL departments and libraries focusing on neuroscience, neuroimaging etc. are situated there. The area is relatively quiet and very green with access to several restaurants, bakeries etc. making it a good lunch/coffee spot.
Give us your top three things to do/see/go to in London
My top recommendation in London is the West End shows. I’ve watched three until now – Matilda, Merchant of Venice, MJ and they were all incredible experiences. In terms of sightseeing, Camden Market is my favourite place to grab a bite and enjoy the liveliness of the city. Though I haven’t managed to do it often enough myself, I’d recommend visiting some of the London parks, especially Regent’s Park during spring (which is quite popular among UCL students due to its proximity to our main campus).
If you could study a different subject, what would it be and why?
If I could study another subject, it would probably be Philosophy because I believe it gives us a more systematic understanding of the world. I did an elective philosophy module on ethics and morality in my first year and would love to explore more such topics from a philosophical lens.
I think philosophical principles can help us rationalize and flesh out some of the most abstract and dangerous dilemmas in the world, such as those concerning war/peace, justice, morality, communal violence etc. Gaining a better understanding of such problems could go a long way in helping us arrive at rational solutions.
Who inspires you and why?
I don’t think there’s an individual person that I look up to. However, I am inspired by a combination of women in my life and those that I have read about. I am deeply inspired by Nadia Murad, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate who escaped the captivity of ISIS and continued to advocate for women’s rights and bring war criminals to justice (I highly recommend reading her book: The Last Girl). Her story motivates me to try and help others no matter what life stage I may be at. At par with her are some other remarkable women (some real, some fictitious) - Margaret Atwood, Olivia Pope, and Waad Al-Kateab, to name a few.
I’m also deeply inspired by my parents who taught me the importance of selflessness and my elder sister who paves the way for me to do better by helping me learn from her achievements and mistakes.
What would it surprise people to know about you?
I think a fact about me that is often met with surprise and wonder from people is that I studied at an all-girls boarding school since I was 7 years old. Depending on the person, they are most surprised by either the age at which I left home, or the same-sex nature of the institution.
While it can sound both mythological and horrifying, it was neither. It was the most challenging experience of my life but also the most memorable, cherished and rewarding. It gave me lifelong friendships, a sense of discipline, and quality education – all of which I hold in the highest regard.