I am incredibly honoured to receive the Alan Berkeley Milne Prize for the best undergraduate psychology thesis. First and foremost, I wish to acknowledge Dr Alan Milne and his achievements and offer my gratitude to his family. My thesis focused on an associative learning phenomenon using the Stroop and flanker tasks. Although completing my thesis has not been without its challenges, I am tremendously thankful to my supervisor, Dr Brett Cochrane, for his support and patience throughout the thesis process and for helping me develop my research skillset and confidence which will be invaluable for my future.
When I first moved to Aberdeen to pursue my passion for psychology in the midst of the pandemic, it was a daunting experience filled with a lot of uncertainty, as I was in a new country without my support network. However, I found that the student environment at Aberdeen being so diverse and inclusive made the journey comfortable and exciting. I have had the pleasure to meet many interesting people who have in their own way helped me grow so much as a person. I also could not thank my wonderful family and partner enough for their continued love and support.
Academically, I feel privileged to have had my interests and knowledge shaped by the genuine enthusiasm and expertise from the School of Psychology staff. Moreover, the continued support from the students who volunteered in the PAL scheme has been immensely helpful. I now feel well prepared to take the next step in pursuing my passion for psychological research and am excited to be taking a master’s degree in September. Overall, to say I feel grateful for my time in Aberdeen would be an understatement. It has helped grow my confidence and my drive for the future in ways I could never expect before entering university.
Lucas is set to graduate from their undergraduate degree in the summer of 2024.
