College life asks a lot of the brain. Learning, staying focused, managing stress, getting enough sleep, and maintaining mental health can all take a toll. Brain Awareness Week is observed March 16-22 and is a time to learn more about how the brain works and how it affects learning, mental health, and daily life. During this week, Methodist University is highlighting the Psychology Department and how it connects brain health and science to the everyday life of Monarchs.
College life asks a lot of the brain. Learning, staying focused, managing stress, getting enough sleep, and maintaining mental health can all take a toll. Brain Awareness Week is observed March 16-22 and is a time to learn more about how the brain works and how it affects learning, mental health, and daily life. During this week, Methodist University is highlighting the Psychology Department and how it connects brain health and science to the everyday life of Monarchs.
Through neuroscience, learning, counseling, and mental health psychology, MU helps students better understand how the brain influences behavior, decision making, and overall well-being.
Inside Psychology at MU
Psychology at Methodist University helps students understand not just what people do, but why they do it. Courses explore topics such as stress, sleep, learning, and decision-making through real situations students experience every day.
For freshman Psychology major Judith Hall, the interest started with curiosity.
“I’ve always been kind of weirdly fascinated by how people think, feel, and connect,” Hall said. “Choosing Psychology felt like a way to turn that curiosity into something actionable that I could build into a career.”
That curiosity is supported by the faculty at MU who bring different perspectives to the program. Laura Mars, Ph.D., assistant professor of Psychology, focuses on health psychology, and exploring how the brain and body work together overall wellness. Belinda McFerren, Ph.D., assistant professor of Psychology, teaches counseling and mental health, including coping strategies and treatment, while Don Lassiter, Ph.D., professor of Psychology, emphasizes data and research methods. For students interested in the brain itself, Katharine Snyder, Ph.D., professor of Psychology, teaches neuroscience courses that provide a closer look at how the brain shapes learning, memory, and decision-making.
How the Brain Works through Neuroscience
From a neuroscience standpoint, learning starts with understanding how the brain processes information. Snyder points out that the brain plays a role in everything students do, from movement and communication to memory and focus.
“The brain is central to everything we do,” Snyder said. “It’s amazing that we can speak, walk, and understand what’s happening around us.”
Many students believe cramming or multitasking is the fastest way to get through schoolwork, but brain science tells a different story.
“The brain doesn’t work like a Google search,” Snyder said. “You have to give it time to process information.”
Research shows that shorter, consistent study sessions, along with sleep and overall health, play a major role in focus and memory. For Hall, studying psychology has changed how she approaches learning.
“Psychology has given me a map for understanding how I learn, not just what I need to learn,” she said. “I notice patterns in my focus, mood, memory, and motivation, and I’ve started tailoring my habits to match my brain’s strengths.”
Students interested in exploring brain science further can also pursue a Neuroscience minor that provides an in-depth look into brain related conditions and behavior.
Mental Health and the College Experience
Brain Awareness Week also creates space for conversations about mental health on campus. Stress, anxiety, and burnout all affect how the brain functions, but the stigma can still make it hard for students to ask for help.
“About half of people will meet the diagnostic criteria for a mental health disorder at some point,” McFerren said. “Understanding that helps normalize these experiences.”
For students like Hall, learning about stress and mental health has made a difference in how she approaches college life.
“Understanding how stress affects us physically and mentally has helped me manage my workload and prioritize self-care without guilt,” she said. “It’s also helped me advocate for myself.”
Snyder said stigma remains one of the biggest barriers to care, even though many mental health conditions are connected to brain chemistry and neurological processes.
Brain Awareness Week is as a reminder that understanding the brain is not just for Psychology majors. At Methodist University, psychology and brain science help students make sense of learning, stress, mental health, and behaviors that translate to everyday life. Students can explore the field through counseling focused classes, neuroscience, or joining the Psychology Club.
For more information about Psychology programs and the Neuroscience minor at MU, visit methodist.edu/academics/program/psychology.