Review: Psych Major Syndrome by Alicia Thompson

(summary from goodreads)


Patient Name: Leigh Nolan

Age: 18 years

Presenting Concerns:

Leigh Nolan has just started her first year at Stiles College.  She has decided to major in psychology (even though her parents would rather she study Tarot cards than Rorschach blots), despite reporting that she thinks, "Psychology is a load of crap." 

Patient has always been very good at helping her friends with their problems, but when it comes to solving her own...not so much.  

Patient has a tendency to overanalyze things, particularly when the opposite sex is involved.  Like why doesn't Andrew, her boyfriend of over a year, ever invite her to spend the night?  Or why can't she commit to taking the next step in their relationship?  And why does his roommate Nathan dislike her so much?  More importantly, why did Nathan have a starring role in a much-more-than-friendly dream?  

Aggravating factors include hyper-competitive fellow psych majors, a professor who's badly in need of her own psychoanalysis, and mentoring a middle-school-aged girl who thinks Patient is, in a word, nave.

Preliminary treatment will include Introduction to Psychology, but may require more if she's going to answer these questions and make it through her freshman year.

Diagnosis:

Psych Major Syndrome


Review: This is the first YA book I've ever read where the main character was in college. Leigh wasn't on a road trip to college or thinking about college, she was actually there, and that gave this book many extra points in my eyes.


I thought that even though she kind of went along with what Andrew wanted, Leigh was still a strong and independent person. She put her foot down and when she said no she meant no. I could tell from the beginning that Andrew was going to be a jerk, and I must say, Thompson did a wonderful job with him. I loved Leigh's roommate Ami. She was always there when comedic relief or support was needed. 


I loved the scene's with Rebekah. She was possibly the wisest 15 year old I've ever read about. And not just Rebekah but Leigh's interaction with the whole mentor group was interesting to read. 


By far my favorite part of the book is when Nathan goes to Leigh's for Thanksgiving. We get to learn a lot about Nathan and we get to meet Leigh's funny parents. 


All in all, I loved this book. It was funny, it was serious, it was at college. The characters were great and I wouldn't be surprised if we saw more amazing work from Miss Alicia Thompson.