From dream to decision: Why I chose Forensic Psychology at YSJ
Hi, I’m Halyna, a 35-year-old mature student and I’m going to share why I chose to study Forensic Psychology at YSJ. When I first applied through UCAS, I picked four universities—two in Leeds and two in York. To be honest, I wasn’t sure what I wanted. I thought about Digital Marketing because it sounded modern, trendy, and, let’s be real, probably well-paid. But deep down, I also picked Psychology because that’s what I’ve always been truly passionate about. Since I was 13 and read one of Freud’s books, I’ve been fascinated by how the human mind works. There’s a huge difference between choosing something because it looks good and choosing something because it lights you up inside.
Settling my nerves by attending Campus Tours, Open Days and researching Clearing
I was so nervous about making the right choice. Don’t laugh, but I even booked a session with a physiognomist—someone who reads faces—just to get some extra reassurance that I was on the right track! I didn’t want to risk losing a whole year because of a wrong decision or bad exam results. When I sat my IELTS exam, I immediately booked another one because I was sure I’d fail. That’s how stressed I was!
One thing that helped calm me down was knowing about Clearing Week. Just having that backup plan in my head gave me a bit of breathing space. I kept reminding myself, “If something goes wrong, it’s not the end of the world. There are always options.”
I also went to a campus tour and an open day at York St John, and honestly, I was so impressed. There were so many friendly people around, ready to help and answer every question. The place just felt right—welcoming, organised, and genuinely nice. When I got offers from all four universities, I was thrilled but also overwhelmed. It was decision time.
Living in York and following my passion is why I chose Forensic Psychology at YSJ
In the end, I chose to study Forensic Psychology at YSJ for some very practical reasons—I already lived in York, so I wouldn’t have to waste time and money commuting. But the biggest reason? I followed my passion. I knew that if I picked something just for the money, I’d end up miserable. And oh wow, was I right. Studying full time isn’t always easy, and if you don’t love what you’re doing, it can feel like torture. I’m so glad I chose something I truly care about.
Some friends also told me that YSJ has a really friendly vibe, where people actually know your name and you can get personal support because the university is smaller. That turned out to be 100% true. I’m so grateful for that.
At first, I chose Psychology with Child Development, but in my first year, I switched to Forensic Psychology because my first degree back in Ukraine was in Law. It just made sense. The two fields complement each other perfectly, and it’s helped me see things from different angles.
I also planned everything in advance—picked my course carefully, knew which exams I needed to pass (Math and English), and worked really hard the year before to save money because I knew I wouldn’t be able to work much while studying full time. It was a lot, but I’m so proud of how far I’ve come.
So, if you’re in the middle of figuring all this out yourself, my advice is: follow your heart, make a solid plan, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. And remember—there’s always Clearing if you need it. You’ll be just fine. I promise!
If you’re researching how to decide which university to apply to and which course to study, read Amy’s guide on attending an Open Day
