How has FlexPath encouraged you to approach human behavior and mental health differently?

How has FlexPath encouraged you to approach human behavior and mental health differently?

When I first began my psychology courses in the FlexPath format, I was used to thinking about human behavior through the lens of my own lived experiences and the traditional frameworks I had been exposed to. But the self-paced nature of FlexPath pushed me to slow down when I needed to unpack complex theories, and to dig deeper into research instead of rushing to meet arbitrary weekly deadlines. This changed how I approach human behavior—now, instead of relying on assumptions or “common sense,” I take the time to explore peer-reviewed studies, case examples, and even cross-cultural perspectives before forming conclusions.

Mental health, in particular, became less of a “clinical category” for me and more of a human experience influenced by context, environment, and individual resilience. The flexibility of FlexPath allowed me to follow my curiosity—for example, after a module on trauma-informed care, I spent several extra days diving into neurobiological responses to chronic stress. That side exploration wouldn’t have been possible in a rigid class schedule, but here, I could adapt my pace to fully integrate this new knowledge.

Over time, my thinking shifted from seeing behavior as a set of symptoms or patterns to understanding it as a dynamic interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors. I’ve also developed a greater appreciation for preventative and community-based approaches to mental health, something I now carry into my work and conversations outside of class.

2. Describe a research-based assessment you completed and its impact on your understanding of psychology.

One of the most impactful research-based assessments I completed in FlexPath was a literature review on the relationship between sleep quality and adolescent mental health. At first, I approached it like any other paper—gathering studies, summarizing findings, and organizing them into neat sections. But as I read through meta-analyses, longitudinal studies, and cross-cultural surveys, I realized that the connection between sleep and mental health was far more complex than I’d assumed.

The research revealed bidirectional influences—poor sleep can exacerbate anxiety and depression, but anxiety and depression can also disrupt sleep patterns. The studies also highlighted socioeconomic and environmental factors, such as inconsistent school schedules, technology use before bedtime, and family stress.

Completing this project not only strengthened my ability to evaluate research quality but also shifted how I see “simple” recommendations in psychology. Now, when I think about advising someone to “get more sleep,” I understand the broader systems that may make that advice challenging to follow. That awareness makes me more compassionate and more committed to advocating for realistic, evidence-based interventions.

3. How do you ensure ethical standards in your academic work within a self-paced psychology program?

Ethics in psychology is non-negotiable, and in a self-paced program, I’ve had to be even more intentional about maintaining those standards because there isn’t a weekly instructor check-in reminding me. I’ve built my own systems—before submitting any paper or project, I run through an internal checklist: Have I cited all sources correctly? Have I represented research findings accurately without cherry-picking results? Have I protected the confidentiality of any case examples or personal experiences I’ve included?

One example was during a case study analysis, where I was tempted to use identifying details from a real client I’d encountered in a previous role. Instead, I reconstructed the scenario with fictionalized details to preserve anonymity, while still capturing the psychological principles at play. This reinforced my understanding that ethical behavior is about more than compliance—it’s about trust, integrity, and respect for the people our work ultimately impacts.

4. Reflect on a topic that challenged your personal beliefs—how did you process it?

A module on harm reduction in substance use treatment pushed me outside my comfort zone. I had always believed that abstinence was the only “real” goal for recovery, but the research presented in this course showed that harm reduction strategies, like needle exchange programs or safe consumption spaces, significantly reduce overdose deaths and increase the likelihood of individuals eventually seeking treatment.

At first, I resisted the idea—it felt like condoning harmful behavior. But I gave myself time to sit with the discomfort. I read first-hand accounts from people in recovery, studied public health data, and considered cultural contexts where harm reduction was standard practice. Over time, my perspective shifted. I began to see harm reduction not as enabling, but as meeting people where they are and preserving their dignity and safety.

This experience taught me an important lesson: in psychology, holding on to rigid beliefs can limit our ability to help others. Being willing to challenge my own assumptions ultimately deepened both my empathy and my professional effectiveness.

5. What role has self-paced flexibility played in deepening your ability to analyze case studies?

Before FlexPath, I often felt rushed when analyzing case studies. There was little time to step back and think critically about all the variables—social background, developmental history, environmental stressors, and cultural influences. With FlexPath, I can pause when I encounter a particularly layered case and spend extra time researching similar real-world examples or reviewing relevant theories.

This freedom has allowed me to approach each case with a more holistic lens. For example, in one assessment, I was analyzing a case of workplace burnout. Instead of jumping straight to individual coping strategies, I took additional time to research organizational psychology, systemic workplace stressors, and leadership styles that either contribute to or alleviate burnout.

Because I control the pace, I’m not just “answering questions” for a grade—I’m exploring them until I feel confident in my understanding. This depth of engagement has made me more precise, thoughtful, and creative in my analyses, and it’s a skill I know will carry over into professional practice.