PSY 200 Offers Relief in Stressful World
Francesca Black, staff writer
Community Colleges offer a multitude of classes with different perspectives on what it is to be human. One immense and important discipline is psychology. Principles of Psychology, PSY 200, with Associate Professor of Psychology Dr. Michael Rahilly gives an informative overview of the vast social science.
The class utilizes interactive tools such as PowerPoint, online video, and lecture to talk about various topics. The focus of the class on April 15 was stress and coping. Dr. Rahilly discussed how the research has changed to now incorporate not only what stress is but also how happiness can be achieved through coping.
In the class, Dr. Rahilly said, “When studying coping, studying happiness, you know what to do to avoid stress.” He illuminated the definition of stress with real life examples such as, “that bing on your phone is a little stressor every time,” while distinguishing between good and bad stressors.
The lecture wove through these real-life examples with research to ignite discussion. Students seemed engaged as we made a list of uncontrollable stressors, including the recent tornado warning from Sunday evening. I asked Rahilly why studying psychology, particularly stress, was important. He answered, “It’s useful in understanding the bigger picture with how to cope with stress.”
One student provided a moment of levity when the professor asked the class if anyone felt extra stressed out today for any reason, and she answered, “Not yet.”
Overall, this class is informative and engaging. PSY-200 is offered in summer session as a 7-week class Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 1 – 3:10 p.m. in M247 or G211 as well as in the fall Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 11-11:50 a.m. in M158.
