Over the past year, we have had the good fortune of having Sarah on our FuturesNW team as an intern and volunteer and it’s with great joy that we say CONGRATULATIONS YOU DID IT! Sarah graduates this quarter with her Bachelors in Human Services and we are so proud of the work she has done and will be doing in the world after graduation. We would love to give Sarah an opportunity to share a little about herself here and hear her thoughts on what made a difference for her in completing her program.
My advice to first-generation students is don't be afraid to ask other people questions or help. Everybody is trying to learn new things and you might find the answer you are looking for instead of using Google or some type of search engine. ~ Sarah
Q: How does it feel to be a WWU graduate with your Bachelor of Arts degree?!
I love being a Western graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree! I always knew I didn't enjoy the subject of math or science. I would usually take art or history classes in middle school and high school. I am a quiet person, so I think taking time to paint and draw really helped me express myself in different ways instead of saying my thoughts verbally. In my first year of Western, I had the opportunity to explore different courses like theater, psychology, and art history, but I also struggled academically because I wasn't prepared for science or math classes, which is my weakest subject. I knew I wanted to apply to a major in the Bachelor of Arts, but I wasn't sure which one to choose.
Q: What did it take for you to reach this milestone?
It took a great amount of time and self-reflection to realize what I want to do in the future. I changed my major and minor multiple times. In my Junior year of college, I became a Design student, but I felt overwhelmed and stressed out from the long hours and structure of the program. I realized graphic design isn't a future career I want to pursue. Eventually, I realized it was deeply affecting my mental health and anxiety. During that time, I was involved in volunteering for a couple of art nonprofit projects and met a former professor who worked for the Woodring College of Education! This spontaneous interaction piqued my interest to look into the programs at Woodring and eventually apply to the Human Services program and change my major. It was the happiest decision of my life!
Q: What advice would you give first-gen students who are considering pursuing college?
I really struggled with connecting with my colleagues and professors because I was afraid of asking questions or asking for help. I was the type of person that would try to do things on my own. At Western, I didn't know what courses to take, which professor is good or bad and navigating complex systems like Financial Aid. My advice to first-generation students is don't be afraid to ask other people questions or help. Everybody is trying to learn new things and you might find the answer you are looking for instead of using Google or some type of search engine.
Q: What is one or two resources you would recommend students access to get support in the process of completing their degree?
Some resources I would recommend students for completing their degree is finding a support system at your school or program and use resources that are available on campus. In Human Services, I connected with my colleagues and I found that having a support system and people to talk to really helped me mentally and academically. If I was unsure about an assignment, I reached out to colleagues to work on it together or discuss something I was confused about. Also, during my freshman year of college, I barely utilized any school resources and it affected my academics and financial aid because I didn't know what I was doing. I found it useful to look up the resources on the school website and visit it later to discuss any questions I have with staff or experts. School is hard, but it takes patience and perseverance. I felt like giving up so many times, but I knew I had to push through to get my degree. I am so proud to be a first-generation college student and I hope to continue working in the Human Services field to support others.
Thank you Sarah for sharing your wisdom, time, and experience and for the numerous ways you have contributed to our community and FuturesNW team. We are so proud of you!