With a GPA of 3.71, Ho Thu Ha (a student majoring in Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Psychology) has become the valedictorian of the QH-2008-X cohort this year.Having studied French from the first grade to the specialized French class at Amsterdam High School in Hanoi, Ho Thu Ha had a solid foundation of knowledge when she entered university. While many of her friends chose majors in economics and international trade, Ha alone nurtured a love for psychology. This choice initially did not receive the approval of her family and friends because, in their minds, psychology was a new field, not one that would easily lead to employment. But for Ha, this field of study held fascinating aspects she wanted to explore about human nature. Enjoying observing people's actions, she was always curious to wonder why, in similar situations, people behave differently, and what the psychological mechanisms behind each person's behavior were... Ultimately, the Faculty of Psychology at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, with its Clinical Psychology program taught in French, was a perfect combination for both of Ho Thu Ha's passions: French and psychology. When asked about the secret to her excellent academic results, she shared: “Perhaps it’s because my interest lies in the subjects themselves. I don’t study just to get a degree and find a job later, but I enjoy thoroughly exploring the specialized knowledge I’m learning.” The more she studied, the more her love and passion for her field grew. The knowledge in the curriculum or classroom lessons wasn’t enough to satisfy her ever-present questions, so Ha read a great deal of additional material both domestically and internationally. In addition, the systematic study habits she had cultivated since her lower years of schooling made her learning simple and effective. These included skills in systematizing knowledge, formulating problems, searching for information, analyzing, synthesizing… and proactively planning her studies.
Unlike many other students who took on part-time jobs, Ho Thu Ha always sought opportunities to gain practical knowledge and experience. During her third year of university, Ha had a memorable field trip to a children's rehabilitation center in Ninh Binh. Her thoughts and feelings about these "deviant" children – as most people perceive them – were completely different. Ha realized she had special feelings for these children. They weren't rebellious, spoiled, or reckless as she initially thought; instead, she saw them as pitiful children with psychological issues that needed help. For Ha, this was a precious experience because she had never experienced such a profound sense of understanding before. You shared: “The biggest lesson I learned after four years of studying is how to see people as individuals with unique values that deserve respect. We shouldn't use any standards to judge others; instead, we should learn to ‘accept’ each individual for their own values and personality. That's the best thing that Psychology has taught me.”
We shouldn't use any standards to judge others; instead, we should learn to "accept" each individual for their values and personality.— Ho Thu Ha, valedictorian of the 2008-X graduating class
Ha also openly shared her aspiration to become a psychology lecturer, hoping to further her in-depth research in the field and exchange knowledge with teachers and colleagues. She also hopes that this work will contribute to changing misconceptions about the profession in society. “Many people think that studying psychology only leads to jobs like caring for and helping autistic children or advising on love, marriage, and family matters. That's a misconception; psychological knowledge is much broader and can be applied to many different jobs in society. More importantly, psychology helps us to love people,” Ha stated. Besides her studies, Ho Thu Ha enjoys photographing nature in her free time. She explained: “The same scene can be captured differently by each person, reflecting different thoughts, spirits, and distinct personal touches.” Furthermore, through the lens of photography, we can make ordinary things appear much more beautiful and radiant. I think that perhaps Psychology not only teaches you how to love people for their unique values, but also instills in you a love for beauty and a more compassionate perspective on life.
