Nicholas Charalambous had a lofty task in front him. He had to stop people traversing through the center of campus to see if they would participate in what would turn out to be a tediously long survey.
The goal of this psychology class project wasn鈥檛 meant to gauge people鈥檚 opinions through the survey. Nicholas and his classmates were measuring whether people, once they realized the time commitment of the long survey, would take it anyway.
Though the experience led to some uncomfortable moments, the project stands out as one of the most valuable Nicholas has had as a student in the B.A. in Psychology program at The 极乐禁地.
鈥淚t taught me that, when I鈥檓 going into my career, there are certain obstacles that I鈥檓 going to have to be prepared for that I hadn鈥檛 originally anticipated,鈥� he said.
Nicholas has also had a chance to conduct research to support one of his favorite professors, Dr. Sally Farley. In the spring semester of his sophomore year, he was part of her research team that analyzed how laughter frequency differs by gender.
These opportunities in research work are particularly valuable for Nicholas鈥� future.
After earning his bachelor鈥檚 degree, Nicholas wants to earn a master鈥檚 degree and a doctorate in his chosen field. He鈥檚 interested in committing his life to research and making an impact through what he can discover.
鈥淚 like the idea of contributing to a broader body of information regarding psychology,鈥� he said.
Nicholas chose UBalt for a myriad of reasons: his dad is an alum, it鈥檚 close to home and it鈥檚 affordable. Along the way, he鈥檚 found a lot to love about his University.
鈥淚 just think that it鈥檚 a great school. I鈥檝e gone here a while, and I鈥檝e been inspired by so many of the other students who go here. It鈥檚 just such a unique place compared to other campuses, because it has such a diverse student body with people who have different backgrounds and stories.鈥�
Nicholas has gotten to know many students as both a tutor in the Writing Center at Robert L. Bogomolny Library and as president of UBalt鈥檚 College Debate and Discourse Alliance.
Joining the Writing Center wasn鈥檛 something Nicholas planned. He went to the center during his first year seeking guidance on his own writing. In return, he not only found support, but also an invitation to join the staff and help other students find their voices.
鈥淲e enable students to be more confident in their writing, and give them the tools to improve,鈥� he said, adding that the lessons in confidence work both ways. 鈥淚t helps me, I feel, be more confident in my own ability as a writer, and I just really like to work with students and help them through their writing.鈥�
The debate and discourse alliance puts Nicholas in charge of another way he can help students at UBalt find their voices. Through debates, students are encouraged to engage in discourse and share their perspectives without interruptions or conflict.
Nicholas has gained a lot from his participation in the debates鈥攍essons that will serve him long beyond his time at UBalt.
鈥淲itnessing debate has helped me gain a fuller understanding about how people think, especially relating to emotionally charged issues,鈥� he said.
Meaningful scrutiny can give way to self-reflection in a way politicized debate may not, he said.
鈥淚 think coming to terms with the fact that we鈥檙e all capable of these kinds of shortcomings is one of the most effective ways to humanize,鈥� he said. 鈥淚rrational behavior is something that I鈥檇 like to focus on in my psych research because I think that we need to put in the effort to understand it to truly address it, but in a way, we鈥檙e already kind of accomplishing that with the debate club.鈥�