America Salas (she/her)
Rising Junior, Wiess College
Caring, Enthusiastic, Hardworking
Majors: Psychology
What is something you’re proud of this year?
Something that I am proud of this year has been my continued dedication. I have ventured into new experiences that have made me uncomfortable. However, my approach and dedication to feeling comfortable in discomfort have allowed me to grow and serve as motivation.
What advice would you give to your freshman self?
I would tell my freshman self that I don’t have to do everything alone. A person’s worth is not based off of what all they can handle and do on their own. I want myself to know that scared in not a foreign feeling. There are other people going through similar experiences and there are support systems in place. Growth will not happen if you stay in your own bubble.
How have you utilized the SSI office this year? How has SSI been beneficial for you this year?
This year I was able to use the SSI office for appointments that served a variety of purposes. My meetings with SSI have been extremely helpful as a way to hold myself accountable regarding what I should be doing not only academically but also to allow me to have a space to check in on myself. SSI has been beneficial because the relationships built by the advisors are not forced. The difference from my first meeting to my last was tremendous and I appreciate how the office works with students’ personal needs and is flexible.
Any advice for other students?
Something I have learned this year through my work life is that it is harder to recognize the absence of something if it was never there. Many of us have grown accustomed to keeping our head low and grinding it out of necessity. However, you have made it to an institution that believes in you and has the resources to help you flourish. Make sure to reach out even if you don’t think you need it because more often than not, you’ll be glad and have learned something.