Trusting your gut instinct- Pavla's journey to an Msc in Health Psychology.

Hi everyone and welcome to the Pathways to Psychology blog. Today we hear from Pavla Visnievska, Msc Health Psychology student at Liverpool John Moores University. Pavla shares pivotal moments which slowly revealed the way forward. Her commitment and openmindedness to learn shine through. Happy reading! 

              Pavla Visnievska

   Msc Health Psychology student

My interest in psychology didn’t begin in a classroom. It started much earlier, shaped quietly by personal experiences that pushed me to question and reflect on human behaviour. When situations or relationships didn’t make sense, I found myself observing more closely, trying to understand what sat beneath the surface. Over time, the instinct to ‘figure people out’ grew into a deeper curiosity about how we think, cope, and relate to one another.

For a long time, it felt like there was only one ‘right’ path after school – go to university, get a degree, and everything else would follow. Growing up in a small village in Czechia, this was the direction most people around me were taking, and the one expected of me. But at 19, I reached a point where I realised that path didn’t feel right, even when I couldn’t fully explain why at the time.

So instead of following, I chose something less certain. I moved to the UK, prioritising independence and real-world experience over immediate academic progression. At that stage, psychology was still more of an underlying interest than a defined goal, partly because I had been led to believe it might not be a realistic option for me.

Starting over in a new country brought its own challenges. There was uncertainty, adjustment, and a constant sense of figuring things out as I went. Rather than rushing back into education, I focused on working. Eventually finding myself in healthcare settings, supporting individuals with complex psychological and physical needs.

That experience marked a turning point.

It was there, in everyday interactions rather than textbooks, that psychology became tangible. I began to see how deeply mental health influences all aspects of life, and how meaningful psychological support can be. The work demanded patience, empathy, and adaptability – skills that can’t be fully taught in a lecture hall. More importantly, it gave me clarity. What had once been a vague interest became something I genuinely wanted to pursue.

With that shift came a return to education. I completed two years at college while continuing to work, gradually rebuilding my confidence in an academic environment. It wasn’t always straightforward, and there were times when progress felt slow, but those experiences became part of the process rather than obstacles to it.

Eventually, I applied to university and began studying BSc Criminology and Psychology. Initially, both subjects held equal appeal, but over time my focus naturally gravitated towards psychology. I became increasingly drawn to understanding behaviour, mental health, and the complex experiences that shape individuals’ lives. Along the way, there were challenges, including rejections, uncertainty, and the familiar presence of self-doubt, but they didn’t define the journey. If anything, they refined it.

Now, I am completing an MSc in Health Psychology at Liverpool John Moores University, working towards my long-term goal of becoming a Clinical Psychologist. During this time, my life has also changed in a profound way – I became a mother. Balancing postgraduate study with this new role has required a different level of resilience, organisation, and perspective. It has been challenging, but it has also deepened my motivation and strengthened my sense of purpose.

Looking back, my path into psychology hasn’t been linear, and I no longer see that as a disadvantage. If anything, the detours have been formative. Gaining practical experience before entering higher education gave me a more grounded understanding of the field and a clearer sense of why the work matters.

If there’s one thing my journey has shown me, it’s that there is no single route into psychology. Not everyone begins with certainty, and not every path follows a predictable timeline. Sometimes direction develops gradually, through experience, reflection, and persistence. What matters most is continuing to move forward, and allowing yourself the space to grow into the path, rather than forcing yourself to fit one.

Thank you so much Pavla for sharing your experiences. Your description of learning from meeting people and seeing psychology in real life speaks of your person-centred approach, one which will stand you in good stead across your studies. We wish you every success in moving forward.

Perhaps reading about Pavla has reminded you of your own psychology journey- get in touch to add your blog entry.

Kind regards,

The Pathways Team.