Lizzy Nguyen: 'Cause I'm Freaking Fabulous'

“Zesty, bubbly, outspoken and nerdy” are all words that describe parts of Lizzy Nguyen’s personality. Once when asked why she should win a body building contest at the hypnotist show on campus, she replied with, “’Cause I’m freaking fabulous!” Nguyen describes herself as an extrovert who loves to laugh and be a comedian, but school work brings out her serious side.

This is apparent in her typical routine of conducting research in Dr. Kashdan’s psychology lab, doing Asian impressions or watching the latest episode of Chuck. Nguyen is a senior psychology major in the Honors Program. For the past two years, she has been assisting in ongoing research on social anxiety, relationships and well-being. She’s currently working on her honor’s thesis, which is on daily anger.

Of psychology Nguyen said, “What’s cooler than studying people around us . . . happiness, knowing ourselves, why we are the way we are . . . tools we can use to better ourselves.” She said psychology first caught her interest while taking an AP psychology course in high school. She felt inspired by her teacher’s passion for the subject. Later she felt intrigued by the Stanford prison study conducted by Philip Zimbardo.

She was inspired to commit to the major due to her desire to understand people’s intentions and actions. She also has a general interest in social psychology and thinks psychology is in everything we do, and it is about understanding humanity as a whole. After graduation, she plans to take a year off to continue working in Dr. Kashdan’s research lab and eventually head to graduate school.

Nguyen feels George Mason University has given her the resources to succeed and become more involved in psychology. Nguyen chose to attend the school when her family moved from Pennsylvania to Virginia to be closer to family. She said growing up in Pennsylvania was not always easy because she was the only Asian student. When she moved to Northern Virginia in ninth grade she recalls feeling more a part of the community. In terms of Mason’s community, Nguyen feels that she is always meeting new people and stays involved in various activities even though she commutes.

In addition, Nguyen spends her time as the editor-in-chief of Volition literary and art magazine. She said Volition satisfies her interest in poetry and art because it lets her be creative. She said, “After I graduate, I’m passing the torch . . . I have to give it up.”

During her spare time, she enjoys watching comedies, doing bikram yoga, belly dancing, running, reading and playing rock band with her little brother. You can find her listening to a variety of music from The Beatles and Elvis to Cher.

Nguyen also enjoys doing random stand-up routines while speaking in a Vietnamese accent. Upon my request, she stood up from her chair and spoke in a motherly voice with a Vietnamese accent. I must say her impressions are accurate and very funny. It helps that she speaks fluent Vietnamese at home.

Nguyen’s ultimate goal is to hopefully contribute something to the field of psychology someday. Her advice for incoming freshmen is to manage your time wisely and get to really know your professors. She said, “Do not be afraid to look stupid when it comes to asking for help.” Lastly, she advises commuters to get involved so you feel a part of the community. This is very good advice from a Vietnamese comedian and psychology major who’s voicemail on her cell phone encourages you to “do your thang!” after the beep.