By: Vanna Marie Liberan, Justin Reign Aguinaldo, Denyll Patrick Sajo, Mariah Michaela Ramos & Mia-Ariana Capiendo
UST Psychology students, it’s your time to shine!
When you wish for a star, the UST Psychology Society (PsychSoc) will grant it. The university once again opens its doors to “IMMERSE: Psychology Week 2023”, highlighting the talents and skills of Thomasian Psychology students through various online and onsite activities. Themed after the magical world of Disney, PsychSoc brings the magic to UST with hybrid events ranging from seminars to online tournaments and workshops, along with one of the signature activities – the Mental Health Awareness Walk. Get ready to feel the magic as this year’s theme is anchored on the happiest place on Earth!
Kickstarting the week with grateful hearts, the Department of Psychology faculty and students will come together for the opening mass at the Santissimo Rosario Parish from 9:00 to 10:30 in the morning, followed by the opening ceremony by the UST Psychology Department chair, Asst: Prof. Karen Katrina V. Trinidad, Ph.D. As Psychology Week officially opens, PsychSoc launches the first set of talks in the Medicine Auditorium titled, “PSYaan Ba ‘To Patungo: The Life After College,”. In which it will tackle various topics such as opportunities and expectations as students take on a larger role after the undergraduate life with talks from 2 UST Psychology Department faculty/alumni.
The rest of the week will be filled with various self-help talks such as “SINTA, AKO NAMAN MUNA: Pagpili, Pag-unawa, at Pagmamahal sa Sarili” to be held on February 28 in the UST Education Auditorium, and “The PSYcret Potion: Mirrors and Strangers,” to be held in the Frassati Auditorium on March 1. Simultaneously, the “MuPSYeum Workshop” will not only help showcase the creativity of Thomasian Psychologists but also bring out the inner artist within them through artwork postings to be uploaded via the official Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram of PsychSoc.
On March 2, the students are expected to engage in Sikolohiyang Pilipino: Ang SAYSAY at TUGON sa mga HAMON ng PANAHON at the Education Auditorium and Making Transitioning Back to F2F Classes Meaningful: An Empowerment Mindset at the Central Laboratory – Auditorium. But the week isn’t just about seminars and online exhibitions. PsychSoc also brings “E-Olympia” for the second time with e-sport events for Call of Duty: Mobile, Mobile Legends, and Valorant from March 1 to March 2.
To conclude IMMERSE: Psychology Week 2023, Psychology Society brings back the “Mental Health Awareness Walk.” However, this is no ordinary ‘walk for a cause’; instead, it is a ‘walk with a cause.’ UST Psychology Students will parade around campus on March 3 while showcasing their block’s chosen advocacies to give these endeavors a platform for everyone to see and hear. This will be followed with the booth-themed event “Coping Outlet,” which will fill the halls of Blas, Labrador, and Pedrosa with various booths designed to spread awareness of the different ways stressed students can cope.
More exciting events are in store for the UST Psychology community towards the end of the week. Take advantage of this, and stay tuned to the UST Psychology Society’s official social media accounts for spoilers and further announcements.
The magical world of Disney provided children and adults alike with comfort movies and characters throughout the years, and the UST Psychology Department aims to translate this magic to comfort its students, faculty, and staff members. Like Pumba without Timon or Mike without Sully, the world will surely be gloomy without suitable support systems. By venturing into the world of Disney through Psychology Week, may Thomasian Psychologists help empower others and immerse both the mind and soul with support systems fit for life inside and outside the Thomasian community.
