Student Spotlight: Sarah Herbruger
Sarah Herbruger studies psychology at the University of Washington Tacoma. Originally from Burien, Washington, Sarah was drawn to UW Tacoma because it’s a smaller school with a rich history. Read on to learn about Sarah’s intended career path and the resources she’s used to succeed in college!
What is your hometown?
I’m from Burien, Washington.
How did you choose the University of Washington Tacoma?
I chose UW Tacoma because of its small size and history. It has also been a long-time dream for me to be a Husky ever since I can remember.
What is your major (or intended major)?
My intended major is Psychology.
Any clubs, activities or involvements you are a part of outside of class?
As the social media and community relations officer of Wordlings, a creative writing club, I put my effort into getting students involved and communicating with other club officers about future fundraisers to help our campus. I have a job as a student pantry assistant, helping address food insecurity on campus and connecting students with resources on and off campus. I also oversee marketing for The Pantry at local restaurants and businesses so people know how they can support or donate, which helps more students avoid skipping meals.
What are your long-term goals, beyond your dream job? How do you hope to make a positive impact on your community or the world?
I aspire to be a one-stop-shop clinic for youth at risk, helping them find creative ways to navigate through life while providing resources to help address their needs so they can be successful.
My goals are to help UW Tacoma’s pantry grow and to network with local businesses to receive donations. Another goal is to create an annual campus block party event where local businesses and restaurants can connect with students. Lastly, I want to give back to my high school, which gave me support when I needed it the most; life was hard for me at the time, and I did not see a clear path for myself.
What has been the most surprising thing for you so far about college?
Most professors understand what you’re going through, and you are not alone in getting through tough situations while managing school at the same time. But mainly, it’s the fact that everyone at the University of Washington is here to support you so you can be better prepared for the future.
What is a challenge you have encountered in college and how did you navigate it? (Or how are you navigating it?)
Personally, I keep up with course work and advocate for myself when I need some extra support to stay on top of homework. Occasionally life issues or family problems make it more difficult to continue school. Without my CSF coach Phanat Ny, and Meraf G, advisor of the Champions program, I wouldn’t have made it this far.
What student supports / resources have you utilized that have been most helpful to you?
- The Pantry
- UWT food cupboard
- CSF College Coach Phanat Ny
- Champions program
- First-gen cohort
- Teaching and Learning Center
- Writing Center
- Emergency aid
- Food Nourish truck
- Office of Student Support and Advocacy
What is one piece of advice you’d like to share with fellow students?
Anyone can attend college — just remember, you come first in college. Living on campus has helped me learn this, but the downside is I have lost some strong family and friend relationships. But, this is where you’ll be able to grow stronger and become the type of person you want to be. It helped me grow better into adulthood by learning the risk of responsibility and importance of priorities.
Are there any mentors, role models, or influential figures in your life who have inspired you to pursue higher education?
My psychologist and therapist have helped me understand the importance of higher education for the psychology career path. More importantly, they helped me understand how the unhealthy circumstances of my family structure growing up have helped hone my skills, and how this will help me relate to future clients and patients. My lived experiences help me relate and empathize with others’ struggles, and I find joy in the thought of helping others heal.
How do you balance your academic responsibilities with your personal life and any additional commitments, such as family obligations or work?
Honestly, everyone’s situation is different, but I’ve learned that I can’t always prioritize family obligations while in school. There isn’t always enough time to do both. Because of this, I’ve learned to step away from some family obligations, such as birthdays or holiday gatherings. Learning how to set healthy boundaries and prioritize my future has been a major skill that I have learned. What’s happening right now is what’s going to prepare me for a better future and increase my chance of having a happy life. To keep it short, it’s okay to miss some things to complete tasks that benefit the future.