Meet Graduate Student Ambassador Victoria Martin

 Describe your interest in your academic program and what you hope to gain from it.

After completing my masters in Psychology I plan to go on to a PhD program to study clinical neuropsychology.

What is your favorite course you’ve taken so far? If you are in your first year, what course are you most looking forward to in your program? Why?

My favorite course is Proseminar. It is a professional development seminar class that teaches about how to make the most of your time at Villanova and so far we have learned a lot of about ourselves, each other, and the field of Psychology as a whole. It is a great starting class that helps prepare you for what graduate school is like. 

What are a few things you would like to share with prospective students regarding the Villanova student experience?

Villanova is a very welcoming community and is not just focused on undergraduate students. There are a lot of opportunities and ways for graduate students to get involved and use the amazing resources Villanova offers to help with various academic and social endeavors.

How do you maintain a good school/life balance?

The most important way to achieve a good school/life balance is to stay organized. Create a schedule that allows for homework and studying as well as having fun. Graduate school is very different in that you have more freedom and this can make it easy to procrastinate and not focus on your studies or focus too much on your studies and not enough on your self. Creating and sticking to a schedule that allows for both is crucial in making sure you get everything done you need to academically while also creating life long memories with friends. 

If you’re living around Villanova, what are one to two “must do” experiences you would suggest to students new to Villanova and the surrounding area including Philadelphia? 

The Philadelphia Art Museum is a must see. There are a lot of really interesting exhibits, just make sure to allow for more time than you would think as there is a lot to see!

Describe what it means to be a graduate student at Villanova. In other words, why Villanova?

Villanova offers a well rounded graduate experience. They have cultivated a very welcoming community around campus and offer many opportunities to serve this community and communities around the area. They also provide great academic resources and encourage research and presenting research to others. The social and academic opportunities offered allow for anyone to thrive and excel in their field.