Julia Kirpalani

Undergraduate Fellow, Team Humans

“I am a Philosophy-Neuroscience-Psychology major. I have journaled every day for the past four years. Writing has always been a medium for me to better understand myself and others in the world. I love it and have constantly gone back to writing throughout my life. Writing is not directly my major, but it textures my understanding of psychology in a more personal way.” 

What has you interested in the PNP major?  

“I’m interested in the way that humans interact. I am really interested in the alchemy of our minds; how so much is physical within the brain and how we can take conscious control of our wellbeing if we have an understanding of the science behind it. For example, how limiting phone use and fostering social relationships are such important aspects of our mental health, as are exercise and nutrition. When I came into college I wanted to help people not feel as bad about themselves as so many do. Better understanding and having compassion for ourselves helps us foster better relationships with others. But it all starts at the self. That is why I did philosophy-neuroscience-psychology.”  

Do you think you would want to pursue writing as a profession?  

“Yes. If I could do anything, I would pursue an MFA in creative nonfiction. I want to be able to communicate the parallels between science and spirituality and make it known that well-being involves both a sense of faith and also a deep scientific understanding of how we work. There have always been forms of belief outside of human understanding. There just has to be a validity to it that is important.”