6 Must-Have Skills for UCLA Cognitive Science Majors: Sonya's Story

If you’ve chosen to pursue a UCLA cognitive science degree, you’re in for so much more than just rote textbook knowledge. You’re entering into an exciting new arena in which you’ll master diverse, applicable skills to prepare you for everything from cutting-edge research to innovative careers in tech. 

Whether you’re a high school student dreaming of joining UCLA’s bustling campus or a current Bruin navigating major decisions, developing the right blend of cognitive science skills is essential to succeed in this highly interdisciplinary field.

But what are these skills, exactly, and why do they matter so much if you’re a UCLA cognitive science major?

Drawing inspiration from Sonya Surapaneni, a second-year UCLA cognitive science major specializing in computing, we’ll explore the key skills you need to thrive in and out of the classroom.

Interdisciplinary Scope of Cognitive Science

UCLA’s cognitive science program is uniquely interdisciplinary, drawing from psychology, linguistics, biology, neuroscience, computer science, and artificial intelligence. This integration allows students to examine human cognition from multiple perspectives, understanding both the mental processes and the neural systems that underpin behavior. Courses across these disciplines, whether in the core curriculum or upper-division electives, give students a broad foundation of units that prepare them for both specialized research and real-world applications. The program’s structure encourages students to connect theories from different fields, providing a well-rounded education that is hard to replicate elsewhere.

Why Essential Skills Matter for Cognitive Science Majors at UCLA

Cognitive science at UCLA operates squarely at the intersection of dozens of disciplines. 

According to Sonya, “My favorite part is how interdisciplinary many of the majors are. As a Cognitive Science major, I get to take classes in philosophy, linguistics, biology, and coding. Last quarter, I took a logic class where I had to write proofs and learn a different kind of language.” Ultimately, it’s a major that requires you to connect the dots across seemingly unrelated fields. 

This interdisciplinary approach makes cognitive science exceptionally versatile, but also exceptionally challenging. Your success, then, will ultimately demand a great deal of adaptability and open-mindedness.

Here’s what sets the UCLA program apart and why developing certain skills is non-negotiable for aspiring scholars like you:

• Versatility across subjects: Cognitive science majors study diverse topics, from biological principles to AI algorithms. Mastery of each area requires mental agility and the ability to learn quickly.

• Real-world applications: The skills you develop aren’t limited to academic theory. From research labs to internships, graduates often find themselves applying their knowledge in ways they never expected.

• Graduate Education opportunities: Many UCLA cognitive science students choose to continue their studies in graduate programs, leveraging their strong foundation in research, data analysis, and interdisciplinary thinking. Whether pursuing a PhD in neuroscience or a master’s in a professional degree in healthcare, the skills developed during the undergraduate experience, guided by faculty and advisors, position students for success.

• Career flexibility: Whether you want to crack the code of human behavior or design intelligent systems, UCLA’s program opens doors…but you’ll only stay in the room if you’re proactive about honing the right skills.

Just ask Sonya, who started as pre-med but pivoted to product design. This was a career twist made possible by the versatility she gained studying cognitive science at UCLA.

Common Challenges for Cognitive Science Majors 

Being a cognitive science major is rewarding, but it’s no cakewalk. Here’s a glimpse of the hurdles you might face during your academic journey, and why the skills we’ll cover later are so important:

Balancing Diverse Coursework

Classes aren’t just about one subject, and switching gears constantly can feel like mental gymnastics.

You might take a biology course about evolutionary psychology this quarter, a philosophy class on logic next quarter, and a stats-heavy research methods course in between. 

Juggling Priorities

Between coursework, extracurriculars, internships, and maybe even research assistantships, there’s always something competing for your attention.

Global and Societal Perspectives

UCLA’s cognitive science program encourages students to consider the broader implications of their work. Courses and research projects often explore how cognitive processes vary across cultures or how technology and policy intersect with human behavior and health. By incorporating these global perspectives, the program provides students with a deeper understanding of how cognitive science applies to real-world challenges and prepares them to contribute meaningfully in diverse professional environments.

Staying Motivated

UCLA's sprawling campus and rigorous environment make self-motivation critical. Learning how to advocate for yourself and stay disciplined will save you from potential burnout.

Sonya’s 6 Must-Have Cognitive Science Skills 

Now, how can you build the skills to meet these challenges head-on? Take a page from Sonya’s playbook.

From her early days as a pre-med student to becoming a product design intern at the LEGO Group, Sonya relied on these six essential skills, which are ones every cognitive science major should aim to develop. Here’s why they matter and how you can cultivate them.

1. Self-Advocacy and Asking Questions

Navigating massive lecture halls with hundreds of students can feel intimidating. But UCLA professors and TAs are there to help. You just have to ask.

When you become skilled at advocating for yourself, you can make sure you get the support you need, especially in subjects where you might naturally struggle. Building relationships with faculty can lead to mentorship opportunities for research, so reach out early and often.

Go even further than that: make attending office hours a habit, not an exception. A simple “I could use help understanding this concept” can unlock guidance you never knew you needed and get your name lodged permanently in your professors’ brains, a boon when it comes to networking and asking for references later on.

2. Time Management and Avoiding Procrastination

Procrastination might have been tolerable in high school, but in college, it can snowball quickly. 

Mastering time management keeps you ahead, not scrambling, and balancing multiple commitments is an art that all cognitive science majors at UCLA must master immediately upon arriving on campus. Indeed, Sonya told us, “People with good work habits in high school tend to do better in college. Understanding how you learn is helpful - whether you should take notes during lectures or just listen.”

Sonya credits smart scheduling and intentional breaks for her ability to balance academics and work as an intern. Another tip? Try using a planner or digital apps like Notion to track deadlines, coursework, and breaks. Remember, rest isn’t slacking; it’s part of the process.

3. Writing Skills Across Disciplines

Think writing isn’t a big deal for STEM majors? Think again. Cognitive science often involves communicating complex ideas in essays, research papers, and other formats.

Strong communication makes it easier to share your ideas, whether you’re writing a lab report or presenting findings in a professional setting.

Because of this, you should practice tailoring your writing to fit different purposes. For example, compare how you’d approach an analytical paper on linguistics versus a research proposal in neuroscience.

4. Statistical Knowledge and Data Literacy

Data takes center stage in cognitive science, whether you’re analyzing neural activity or studying behavioral patterns. Sonya’s background in statistics made her research smoother, a detail that underscores the importance of building quantitative skills early on in your academic career.

When you’re proficient in stats, it makes it easier for you to design experiments, analyze results, and make data-driven decisions, something you’ll need to know how to do for future internships and jobs (particularly those in tech).

If you’re intimidated by stats (who isn’t?), start slow, and start with the basics. If you’re still in high school, consider taking AP Statistics to gain foundational knowledge. Once you’re enrolled at UCLA, you can build on this in upper-division classes.

5. Adaptability and Career Flexibility

From Sonya’s pre-med roots to her current tech-focused internships, adaptability has been a key driver of her success. Cognitive science offers so many career pathways, so you need to be ready to pivot at any time. 

Few other majors spoil you for choices like this when it comes to the job search. You could work in fields as distinct as UX or even neuroscience research, so it pays to stay open-minded. That way, you won’t miss any potential opportunities. 

Totally in the dark? It’s okay if you haven’t decided yet, but be open to exploring. You may want to join clubs like LA Blueprint or explore internships through UCLA’s Career Center. Seeing what others are working on can inspire your own next steps.

6. Self-Motivation and Accountability

College isn’t like high school, where parents and teachers keep you on track. “There was always a clear goal, like preparing for college, and my parents were always pushing me to do things,” Sonya said. “In college, there isn’t always a clear end goal, and you have to keep yourself accountable for day-to-day things…balancing everything and making time for yourself so you don’t burn out has been the most difficult part.”

At UCLA, the responsibility for showing up, completing assignments, and making time for personal growth rests squarely on your shoulders and your shoulders alone, Sonya emphasizes, so you’ll need to get creative. 

Break your goals up into smaller, more actionable tasks. When you achieve them, celebrate those milestones, whether it’s acing a midterm or landing your first internship.

How Sonya’s UCLA Experience Shapes Skill Development

One of the greatest perks of studying cognitive science at UCLA is the incredible variety of opportunities waiting at your fingertips. From tech clubs like LA Blueprint (Sonya’s go-to, in which the team works on creating apps for “social good”), to interdisciplinary research collaborations, you can piecemeal together your experience to fit your interests and help you develop your cognitive science skills even more.

Sonya shares that finding supportive communities on campus, like tech-focused student groups, helped her grow exponentially. 

Through these networks, she gained real-world experience building apps that serve social causes. At the same time, UCLA’s strong academic focus prepared her for the rigorous demands of research and design. 

The saying is always, “work hard, play hard,” but as Sonya shows us, the two can easily come together, allowing you to do things you enjoy while developing your skills and professional network. 

Advice for Incoming Cognitive Science Majors

If you’re a high school senior or an incoming first-year student hoping to make the most of UCLA’s cognitive science program, here are three quick tips:

• Start early: Begin developing time management and advocacy skills now. These habits will serve you well, even before you step foot on campus.

• Keep exploring: Experiment with different classes and extracurriculars. Discovering your niche can lead to exciting internships, research labs, or new passions.

• Stay balanced: College life can get overwhelming. Don’t hesitate to prioritize sleep, mental health, and downtime. Remember, you need to take care of yourself to thrive.

For pre-college preparation, you can explore Polygence’s programs for high school students, including our Research Mentorship Program or Pods, to start building these skills now.

Building a Strong Foundation for a Cognitive Science Career

Your time at UCLA will fly by. Make the most of it by focusing on continuous skill-building, just like Sonya has. Whether it’s honing your coding abilities, analyzing datasets, or becoming a better writer, the skills you develop here now will set you up for long-term success later.

No matter where you are in your academic journey, remember this: UCLA’s cognitive science program isn’t just about earning a degree. It’s about designing your own story. And it starts with building the right skills with Polygence.