END OF THE SEMESTER

At this point, all classes have completed the following:

1) 4 quizzes
2) Paper
3) Midterm

The only remaining grade is for the final exam. Please remember that if you are missing a grade, it counted as a 0 in your semester average. If either Quiz 3 or 4 were missed, it needs to be made up by May 1st. While I have made every effort to let students know if they are missing a grade, ultimately, it is your responsibility to insure you completed all the work. Since all work will be graded and returned by this Thursday, please make sure you have grades for all of these.

Your final grade of the course will be the average of the following:

1) Average of your quiz grades (4 quizzes)
2) Paper
3) Midterm
4) Final

Thus, you should have four data points. If any of these have not been completed a 0 will be averaged in for the grade. Also, please remember, 2 points will be deducted from your final average for any absence over 3 for the semester (2 for the course that meets once a week).

As I said in the beginning of the semester, it is important to resolve any issues with grades before the final grade goes in so please see me with any concerns/questions.

OUR FINAL EXAM SCHEDULE IS AS FOLLOWS:

Psy 201-Thursday at 3:00pm- Thursday, May 7th, 2015

Psy 201H-Tuesday/Thursday, 12:30pm- Tuesday, May 12th, 2015

Psy 101- Tuesday/Thursday, 11:00am- Tuesday, May 12th, 2015

Psy 215- Tuesday/Thursday, 9:30am- Tuesday, May 12th, 2015

Psy 215H-Monday/Wednesday, 9:30am- Wednesday, May 13th, 2015

* Any changes to this will be discussed if needed...

REMEMBER, IF YOU CANNOT MAKE THE EXAM FOR ANY REASON YOU MUST CONTACT ME. INCOMPLETES MUST BE GRANTED AND DO NOT AUTOMATICALLY OCCUR!

GOOD LUCK WITH THE END OF THE SEMESTER!

GENDER DYSPHORIA

There is much being written and talked about regarding Transgender Individuals, especially the case of Bruce Jenner. In Psy 215 we are currently covering the Sexual Disorders/Dysfunctions and the following article is written by someone whom has gone through the process. It is gives an honest view of the many different issues involved....

http://thefederalist.com/2015/02/06/bruce-jenner-in-transition-or-psychological-crisis/

PREPARING FOR FINALS

As finals bear down upon us, it becomes important to put together a plan to prepare for them. The following article gives some helpful tips on how to get through final exams more successfully. Good Luck!

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/head-the-class/201204/end-games-preparing-well-final-exams

LOWER SES AS A RISK FACTOR

There has plenty of discussion in our society regarding income growing income disparities in our country. Psychologists have long identified lower socio-economic status as a risk factor for a number of different issues, including poorer academic performance and higher rates of mental illness. The following article offers excellent perspective on this very important topic...

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/04/17/overcoming-povertys-damage-to-learning/?_r=0

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS/FINAL EXAM SCHEDULE

INC: Just a reminder that if for any reason, you cannot finish the requirements of the semester, you can request an INC. In order to do so, you must contact me and the INC be granted. If it is granted you have 4 weeks into the next semester (Fall, 2015) to complete whatever it is that you missed. If the INC is not resolved by then, it is automatically converted into an F.

MAKEUP EXAMS/QUIZZES: Please be aware that it is your responsibility to make sure that any missed quizzes or exams are made up. If you fail to make up either one, a 0 will be calculated into the average affected by the missed grade. All makeups must be complete by May 1st, 2015.

FINAL EXAM SCHEDULE:

Psy 201-Thursday at 3:00pm- Thursday, May 7th, 2015

Psy 201H-Tuesday/Thursday, 12:30pm- Tuesday, May 12th, 2015

Psy 101- Tuesday/Thursday, 11:00am- Tuesday, May 12th, 2015

Psy 215- Tuesday/Thursday, 9:30am- Tuesday, May 12th, 2015

Psy 215H-Monday/Wednesday, 9:30am- Wednesday, May 13th, 2015


PLEASE SEE ME WITH ANY QUESTIONS/CONCERNS!

PREDICTING UNSTABLE BEHAVIOR

The news is often filled with tragic events which involve the unstable behavior of an individual who ultimately causes harm to others. The following article gives an excellent inside view into how this struggle plays out in the airline industry where insuring pilots' are psychologically fit to fly is a growing concern:

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/19/world/europe/germanwings-plane-crash-andreas-lubitz-lufthansa-pilot-suicide.html?_r=0

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

As you may know, priority registration is going on at Suffolk. There have been a number of changes to the degree requirements over the past few months that require students to update their accounts so they reflect accurate information. In order to do so:

Log in to MySCCC, access the change form located on the Home tab under Quick Links for Students, and submit it.  It literally takes less than a minute to complete.

 Once, submitted, the change request is sent to a campus Registrar’s Office for processing in Banner.    

 

Completing this process will allow you to develop your schedule and plan to finish your degree in the most effective way possible!!!

Good luck.

10 WAYS TO BEAT END OF SEMESTER STRESS

As we have discussed in class, stress can have negative effects on many aspects of our lives. As students, as the end of the semester approaches, actively trying to manage the stress can reduce it and even increase end of the semester performance. Take a look at the following link for some helpful suggestions on managing end of the semester stress.....

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/30/final-exam-stress-10-ways_n_2212729.html

LONG ISLAND AND ADDICTION

In Psy 215, we are currently covering the topic of substance related disorders and addictions. On Long Island, and in many parts of the country, these two issues are reaching epidemic proportions. In this Sunday's Newsday, the following two articles put offer excellent insight into how the Long Island region is being affected...

http://www.newsday.com/news/region-state/354-long-islanders-died-from-alcohol-poisoning-in-5-years-1.10244467

http://www.newsday.com/long-island/tow-truck-drivers-use-convoy-to-campaign-against-drugs-1.10245589

Learn To Be… Tobacco Free

The Suffolk County Department of Health Services will be conducting a six-week smoking cessation program starting on Thursday April 23, 2015 at 6pm at the John T. Mather Hospital 75 North Country Road, Port Jefferson.

 

Stress Management Techniques, Behavior Modification, and Relaxation Techniques are some of the skills needed to stay tobacco free. Development of these techniques will be covered and cessation medication will be provided for a nominal fee.

 

To register or for more information, please call 476-2723

 

 

EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL CLASSES

As with everything else, technology is driving many day to day changes in the field of Psychology.

Students will be able to earn extra credit for the final by focusing on this topic for an essay.

PSY 215, 101 STUDENTS

The following article was recently by a psychiatrist on how technology is changing the mental health field .

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/04/04/do-you-google-your-shrink/?_r=0

For extra credit on the final exam, students can complete a 2-3 page essay entitled “How Technology is changing the Mental Health Field”. It does not have to be on the above topic but must be on the general topic of technology and mental health.

PSY 201 STUDENTS

The requirements of the essay are the same but the title of the essay is “How Technology is changing the field of Neuroscience.” (not based on above article).

 The requirements also include a minimum of two sources (not including the above article). The paper must be written in APA format.

The assignment can earn you up to 10 points on the final exam.

Please see me if you have any questions.

Paper must be submitted in person- no emails are accepted!

Due date: April 16^th, 2015

 

SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY

Louise B. Perkal Memorial
Awarded to:	Full-time or Part-time students:  $500 - $700 (Varied awards)
Criteria:	1.	Social Sciences
	2.	3.0 GPA for 24 credits
	3.	Twelve credits at time of application, successfully completed in history, political science, geography, or economics
	4.	Ammerman Campus student
	5.	Faculty recommendation
	6.	Brief essay on why you believe you should be awarded this scholarship
	7.	Consideration may be given to financial need
	8.	Need not attend SCCC in subsequent semester
Deadline:	April 15
Contact Office:	Apply in Social Sciences Department Southampton Bldg., Rm. 224

ARE YOU A CONFIDENT PERSON?

TAKE A LOOK AT THE FOLLOWING LINK WHICH DESCRIBES THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A CONFIDENT PERSON TO FIND OUT.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/smart-living/12-things-truly-confident-people-do-differently/ar-AAasAox#page=4