Tim on his bachelor programme Psychology

He started secondary school at gymnasium lever as a teenager, but couldn't quite get the hang of it. However, he did eventually end up at Erasmus University Rotterdam after graduating from havo and the university of applied sciences (hbo). Currently, 25-year-old Tim is in the final year of his bachelor programme Psychology and is busy working on his thesis.

What was your secondary school experience like?

'As a teenager, I started secondary school at gymnasium level, but I dropped down to havo because gymnasium didn't really suit me. Looking back, it turns out that my ADHD played a role. In my senior year of secondary school, I started exploring my future options with the help of my parents. They had noted all the open days in their calendars: of universities of applied sciences, but also of mbo schools. Secondary school students often forget that that's also an option, even if you're doing havo or vwo.'

How did you know what direction you wanted to take after high school?

'During secondary school, I discovered that I preferred working with my mind to working practically. I'd always been interested in social sciences. That's why, after havo I went to Inholland Rotterdam (a university of applied sciences), where I enrolled in the Social Work programme. I went in with a very open mind. I thought: if I enjoy it and am sufficiently challenged, I'll just finish the programme. But I realised quite soon that I wanted to go to university after my first year.'

How did you come to that conclusion?

'I noticed that university of applied sciences (HBO) wasn't challenging enough for me. It was quite practical. We had to go out on the streets, observe people's behavior, and write reports about it. But I was actually looking for more depth. I didn't just want to observe, but also to investigate the why question: why do people behave this way, what causes it? What lies behind it? That was the confirmation for me that I wanted to continue on to university.'

Why did you choose EUR?

'The choice for Erasmus University Rotterdam was actually an easy one. I grew up in the Rotterdam area and still live here. In addition, in 2019, EUR was the only university where the psychology programme was taught as problem-based learning. It wasn't just traditional lectures. There's also much more group work, which was quite unique for a psychology programme at the time. I expected that would be a good fit for me, because I have ADHD. And it turned out to be.'

Tim is now in the final year of his bachelor's degree. His thesis is investigating whether creative thinking at work contributes to employee engagement and well-being.

What are your tips for students who aren't sure what they want to do yet?

'Consider your hobbies, what you like, and especially what you don't like. Ask your friends and family what they think would suit you. Which subjects at school do you enjoy most? And of course: attend open days. Attend as many different sessions as possible from different programmes so you can compare them.'