Yasmine Gomel (COS ’26) is a second year Psychology student who completed an independent study with Professor Kristopher Bradley. Her work focuses on positive predictors of long-distance relationships.
This semester, I had the opportunity to work on an independent study for my major in Psychology. I worked closely with Professor Kristopher Bradley, with whom I had previously taken Social Psychology, to create a research project that would both be of interest to me and would fit the time frame of one semester for completion. I decided to work on a literary review paper that focused on positive predictors of long distance relationships using recent research in the field. My paper, “Navigating the Distance: Positive Predictors of Virtual Communication in Long-Distance Relationships,” allowed me to dive deeper into a topic of personal interest while simultaneously providing me with a unique opportunity to engage in meaningful research. I was able to cultivate a deeper understanding of the processes behind writing a literary review, and I gained an appreciation for the intricacies of psychological research. One of my favorite parts of this project was being able to incorporate and relate course concepts from other classes into my work. I could see a direct application of so many of the topics I had recently learned in my Northeastern classes, and it felt like a culmination of my learning experience so far. Following the completion of this paper, I am currently working with Professor Bradley to find an opportunity to publish my work. I am grateful that I was able to take part in such a individualized and enlightening experience, and I would highly recommend taking advantage of the research opportunities that you can engage in here at Northeastern.
What other activities are you involved in on campus?
- NU Peer Tutor
- Teaching Assistant for Honors Developmental Psychology
- Turkish Students Association
- Active Minds Club
What is your favorite Honors memory?
I really enjoyed getting a few extra days at the beginning of my first year to get settled and make friends. I met so many amazing Honors students during that time, and I felt very connected to the EV community!
What events or activities would you recommend to new Honors students?
I think it is super important to stay active and engaged in campus life to really maximize your experience. I would suggest attending floor/hall events in your dorm and joining any clubs/teams that are of interest to you. Even if you are not interested in playing a sport, I have found that there is even a strong sense of community at Marino! Getting involved, even in small ways, is a great way to meet new people and to feel at home here at Northeastern.