Yousif Bahr Aliloom
3rd-year student, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Management and Leadership
For him, the brain is one of the last great mysteries on Earth, says Yousif Bahr Aliloom who is studying a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Management and Leadership.
“Psychology has been an interest of mine since I began high school. I’m extremely interested in the field of neuroscience. Learning about the brain and making friends at university has been amazing, and the capstone psychology research project has been a highlight of my third year at AUT; designing my own research project was fun and I’ve become quite good at writing reports due to it. I’ve loved all the neuroscience courses in my third year – AUT really does them well and I’m starving for more.”
Deciding to come to AUT for his studies was easy for him.
“After seeing how quickly AUT replied to me and assisted in my application to study here, I knew that it would be the university for me. Unlike other universities I had applied to, AUT showed genuine care and accepted me quickly once my information was fully submitted. Because of this I’ve remained loyal to AUT throughout my studies, and I plan to proceed into postgraduate research at AUT, with a particular focus on neuroscience.”
The freedom to explore his interests
Yousif says he enjoys being able to study courses from other AUT subjects as part of his degree.
“I enjoy learning and have a wide array of interests, from history to linguistics. For me, it’s important to be educated in the areas you enjoy to be able to understand and enjoy the topics to its fullest extent. I like that the Bachelor of Arts enables you to acquire knowledge that can enhance your intelligence and understanding of your interests.”
So far, he has included a number of courses from the Management and Leadership minor to complement his psychology degree.
“I’ve enjoyed taking courses on managing and organising, human resource management, and leadership for change. I chose these courses because of their relevance to corporate environments, as I felt this understanding would be beneficial for me if I’m ever working in a business environment.”
An enjoyable experience
Currently in the third year of his Bachelor of Arts, Yousif is thoroughly enjoying his time at AUT.
“The two things I’ve enjoyed the most about AUT are the people and the opportunities for study that AUT has provided. I’ve found that the people at AUT are down-to-earth and friendly, which has enabled me to make friendships that have helped me through my years of study. Additionally, the opportunities for study that AUT offers have helped me understand psychology and the brain in a way I wouldn’t have been able to without access to AUT’s resources.”
He has some great advice for other students.
“My advice for other students is that whatever problem you face, remember that life will go on. For me, this advice has enabled me to keep going when I felt hopeless or held the burden of multiple assessments. Put in your best, even if that is just a sentence or two on a bad day; it really adds up and helps work against stuff like procrastination and such. Make sure you also have fun with university and give yourself a chance to figure out what you want to do.
“One more thing – approach professors who research things you like! Researchers are always needed and I’d really recommend reaching out in Years 2 and 3 as connections are important. Most importantly, get referencing software. I’ve made upwards of 300 references this year and have saved hundreds of hours by using Endnote, which is offered by AUT.”
