A Day in the Life of an Oxford Royale Experimental Psychology Student

Why do people think, feel, and behave the way they do? How can we measure the mind scientifically? If you’re fascinated by human behaviour, cognitive processes, and psychological research, our Experimental Psychology Summer School in Cambridge is your chance to dive into the world of psychology. 

Through hands-on experiments, interactive discussions, and thought-provoking case studies, you’ll explore the mysteries of the human mind. Here’s what a typical day looks like for a 16–18-year-old psychology student in Cambridge…

Rise and Shine – 8:00 AM

The morning begins with breakfast in the historic dining hall, where you chat with friends about last night’s optical illusion challenge—how did your brain get tricked so easily? Some students are still debating whether eyewitness testimony can ever be truly reliable, while others are planning their free time—will it be exploring the Market Square, punting on the River Cam, or visiting The Fitzwilliam Museum? After a quick coffee, you’re ready for an exciting day of psychological discovery!

Morning Lesson – 9:00 AM

Today’s session dives into Cognitive Psychology, exploring how we think, learn, and remember. You discuss fascinating psychological concepts, engage in interactive activities, and question how the mind processes information. Along the way, you discover just how easily perception can be tricked and memory can be influenced. Each new idea builds on the last, giving you a deeper appreciation for the incredible ways the brain works.

Break – 10:00 AM

Time for a well-earned pause! You grab a coffee and a snack, taking a moment to recharge. Some students chat with classmates about the morning’s discussion, while others step outside for some fresh air and a short walk before heading into the next session.

Cognitive Psychology – 11:00 AM

Now it’s time to explore how the brain processes information. In this session, you dive into top-down vs. bottom-up processing, learning how your brain interprets the world based on past experiences and sensory input. You test your memory by participating in a short-term vs. long-term memory recall experiment and discuss what factors improve or weaken retention. The session also introduces psycholinguistics, where you analyse how language affects cognition—turns out, the words we use might shape our thinking more than we realise!

Lunch Break – 1:00 PM

It’s time to step away from the classroom and explore Cambridge. You and your classmates head into town, grabbing lunch at a local market stall or a riverside café. Some students take a walk around the Backs, admiring the stunning views of King’s College Chapel, while others browse bookshops, hunting for the perfect psychology read. 

Afternoon Workshop – 2:00 PM

Back in class, it’s time for Memory Experiments. Working in teams, you design and conduct your psychological study on how memory functions in different conditions. Does background music help or hinder recall? Do people remember images better than words? You test your classmates, record data, and analyse your findings—some of the results challenge what you thought you knew! The workshop ends with a discussion on how memory research is applied in the real world, from courtroom testimonies to advertising strategies.

Time to Unwind – 4:00 PM

After an intense afternoon of data collection and analysis, it’s time to relax. Some students head to Jesus Green, where they challenge each other to a game of frisbee or lounge in the sun. Others grab ice cream from a famous local spot and take a slow walk along the River Cam, watching the punts glide by. Whether you’re discussing Freud or just soaking up the Cambridge atmosphere, it’s the perfect way to unwind.

Dinner on Campus – 6:00 PM

Back at the college, dinner is served in the dining hall. You and your friends swap stories about the day’s adventures, share the best places to go Cambridge, and discuss what evening activities lie ahead! You still can’t believe you get to spend so much time in this incredible college! 

Evening Activities – 8:00 PM

The fun isn’t over yet! Tonight, you and your friends join the Oxford Royale Big Quiz, where teams battle it out in rounds covering everything from pop culture to psychology trivia. Some students opt for a friendly football match, making the most of the open green spaces, while others relax with a movie night at the Campus Cinema, watching a psychological thriller that sparks another round of debates. As the night winds down, a few students gather in the common room for card games and late-night discussions—turns out, even after class, psychology is everywhere!

Lights Out – 10:30 PM

Curfew arrives, and it’s time to recharge for another exciting day. As you head to bed, you reflect on everything you’ve learned—new theories, new experiments, and new ways of understanding human behaviour. One thing’s for sure—this summer is shaping up to be an unforgettable journey into the science of the mind.

Want to see a glimpse of campus life?

Check out some of the highlights of an Oxford Royale Summer programme and hear from some of our students!

Where can you study Experimental Pscyhology?

Are you ready to unlock the mysteries of the human mind? Join our Oxford Royale Experimental Psychology Summer School in Cambridge and take your first steps into the fascinating world of psychological research, neuroscience, and behavioural science!

16 to 18

Oxford |  Cambridge | New York