Deep recesses of the mind

Amarjot Kaur

With great ambition comes a greater need for dedication, hardwork and will. As Amreen Sekhon, a student at Panjab University, who stood second in the PhD entrance exam for psychology, shares her ideas of success with us, we get to know the factors that helped her succeed. After having studied from The Lawrence School, Sanawar, Amreen was all set to take up her favourite subject, mathematics, but as fate would have it, she ended up studying psychology. “I love maths, so I took up non-medical in eleventh grade, but later I took up psychology and did quite well in it, even in college,” she says. Amreen went up to study Psychology (hons) from MCM DAV College for women, Chandigarh, where she stood second. Now, after pursuing Masters in psychology from Panjab University, Amreen has taken up the PhD course and that too on a scholarship! “Soon, I will be leaving for Harvard University for a month-and-a-half long course on clinical psychology,” she shares.

Motivational factor
“I think hardwork and the will to accomplish something on my own was the biggest motivational factor,” says Amreen while adding that she also derives immense motivation from her father. “Also, Carl Jung and his theories on collective unconscious were a constant source of inspiration that cultivated my interest in psychology. Another scholar who intrigues me the most is Carl Rogers, who is a humanistic psychologist. His client-centered therapy is impressive,” she shares.

Feathers in the cap

Participated in Science And Maths Olympiad in Class 8th and 9th and bagged meritorious positions

Participated in inter-cchool Cluster XIII Athletic Meet for the CBSE Affiliated Schools.

Participated in panel discussion on technological addictions held at MCM DAV college

Presented a paper in the 4th Chandigarh Social Science Congress held at Panjab University on the topic 'Retrospect and prospect of moving towards Millennium Development Goals.’

Flipside of being an achiever
Amreen feels that the only thing that bothers her is that she is still studying, while other people her age are working but she does not let that thought weigh her down. “I think I am driven by the hunger to learn and though most of the people think that achievers are snobs, they forget that there is a lot of learning and hardwork that goes into studying. However, I don’t care about what they say.

Goal
I want to become a professional clinical psychologist and set up my own practice someday. I am working hard towards that goal.

Stress buster
When I am very stressed, I like playing with my dogs.

Words of wisdom
There is a hit formula called ‘hang in there’ and I think it’s the only way to success.

Success mantra
“I have always believed in one ideology, which has also been the motto of my school — ‘Never give in’.
[email protected]