This month’s student feature is sophomore and psychology major Ojaswi Pasachhe.
UWPsych: Why did you choose to study Psychology?
Pasachhe: I chose to study psychology because I love learning about the different factors that influence how we behave, and I find the connection between the mind and body to be fascinating. I am also passionate about mental health and understanding how we can better support individuals who are dealing with psychological/psychiatric disorders.
UWPsych: What is a favorite psychology class you have taken and why?
Pasachhe: I really enjoyed taking cognitive psychology (Psych 414), as I was able to learn more about how we are able to sense, perceive, and remember information from the world around us. Learning about how memory is stored and ways in which it can be altered or forgotten interests me a lot, so I appreciated being able to delve into the topic in class. Also, one of my friends took Psych 414 with me and she was always very encouraging when we’d study for tests together. This really motivated me to do my best in class, so I’m very grateful for her.
UWPsych: How do you spend your time outside of school? Are you involved in any extracurriculars or jobs?
Pasachhe: Outside of school, I work at a biomedical engineering research lab, and I sometimes get the opportunity to work with the lasers at our lab! I also do research on youth justice in Dane County and how teen centers can support justice-involved youth in culturally-responsive ways. Moreover, I’m involved in a few student organizations on campus, including AHANA-MAPS and the APIDA Heritage Month Planning Committee.
UWPsych: Best advice for students considering a psych major or who have recently declared?
Pasachhe: Psychology is a very diverse major in that there are so many different disciplines within the major, from biological to clinical to social psychology. Because of this, I think that it’s a good idea to take a variety of different psych classes to get a more well-rounded understanding of what areas of psychology you are most passionate about.
UWPsych: What are your plans post-graduation?
Pasachhe: I would like to pursue an MD/PhD after graduation, as I’m interested in doing clinical work and research. As of now, I would like to go into psychiatry, and I feel that completing a degree in Psychology would enable me to get a better understanding of psychopathology, as well as current therapies and treatments for different psychological disorders.