We Belong: Sabrina Zuniga
6:45 A.M. As the soft morning sun rises on the horizon, Sabrina Zuniga begins her day. Most of her mornings start with Spanish on Duolingo to keep her practicing. After some breakfast and prayer at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church, she heads to her social problems class. A senior psychology major with a minor in sociology, Sabrina is soaking in her last semester at Texas A&M and the memories and growth she was experienced here.
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Why Texas A&M University?
My Dad is a die-hard Aggie and he really wanted me to go here. He even made me tour Texas A&M before we toured any other schools, but I wasn’t all that interested because I felt overwhelmed by the size of the university. After visiting, I saw how welcoming everyone was and I was able to learn more about some of the students and how they had grown and changed after attending. I just became super interested in the opportunities and resources Texas A&M has for personal growth for me.
What's your favorite study spot on campus?
“If the weather is nice, I enjoy studying at the Gardens! It’s isolated, peaceful, and serene, so it brings me peace and reminds me of purpose when I am doing my school work. If the weather is not nice, I enjoy studying at the new Student Services Building since it’s quiet, close to resources, and right in the heart of campus.
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NOON After some quality study time, Sabrina heads to get lunch as she reflects on how she got involved with HelpLine, a student-run, after-hours, phone line for Aggies who need an ear. “It takes time and initiative to become part of HelpLine ,” she said. “It involves an application, interview, 55 hours of training, and then a two-hour final interview.” During her freshman year, Sabrina applied and made it to the training phase, in which volunteers practice calls and role play. “At the time I was struggling with anxiety and an eating disorder,” she said. “I felt that I was the person who needed to be calling, not the person answering, so I dropped out of the application process.” Sabrina took that opportunity to focus on herself. She joined Fade to Black, a hip hop group at Texas A&M. “I love to dance, and sharing this passion with other Aggies was a beautiful, uplifting experience.”
1:45 P.M. After lunch, Sabrina heads over to a HelpLine meeting, which gives volunteers the opportunity to process and discuss some of the calls they have received. “Volunteering with HelpLine is a gift,” she said. “I love the diversity and how people are so open with their experiences. It’s beautiful to interact with so many different students. It has helped me to appreciate our differences. Some calls can be challenging, but knowing I have helped someone along with the community of support at HelpLine makes it rewarding.”
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What do you do in your free time?
“When I’m not doing schoolwork or volunteering for HelpLine, I’m reading, hanging out at St. Mary’s, spending time with friends, working out, and dancing. I love dancing; you can catch me whipping out some moves any time of the day no matter where I am. I also am involved with FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students), which involves Bible study and discipleship. In 2018 I had the amazing opportunity to go to Chicago for the Student Leadership Summit with Saint Mary’s. I went with these beautiful people who loved me and helped me to grow. It’s one of my favorite memories from my time at Texas A&M.”
When did you first feel that you belong at Texas A&M?
“Definitely after the FOCUS conference in Chicago. I felt so seen and loved by the people around me that I began to grow from that. My first year-and-a-half I wrestled with loneliness and not fitting in. I learned that being my authentic self-made people still want to be around me and love me. And that’s a two-way street. I want people to feel they belong and can be themselves around me. All of us should acknowledge that it’s OK not to be OK.
At HelpLine, we really want to spread the message that we are here for you and we are ready to receive you as you are. That’s how I want to live my life at Texas A&M and after I graduate. I want people to know that they can express how they are feeling, good or bad, and be loved for that.
I belong to Texas A&M University because I am authentic and vulnerable. I learned to look within myself at what I desire and be open about it with other people. Doing this is what allowed me to find HelpLine and FOCUS at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church. I am vulnerable. I am willing to look within and share myself with others. Belonging is when you know that you are accepted for all that you are. Fitting in is shaping yourself into a mold to be liked. I don’t just fit in; I belong.
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3:00 P.M. On her way to get more studying done, Sabrina discussed graduation in May. She is applying for master’s degree programs in clinical health counseling with low socioeconomic Latino populations. She’s not counting out the possibility of a doctorate and loves the idea of authoring a book in the future and leading workshops. Sabrina is excited to incorporate her spirituality into counseling and to be a gentle guide for those seeking help.
8:00 P.M. With a long day behind her and the sun already disappearing for the night, Sabrina takes her evening to finish up homework and spend time with friends. Some evenings she spends at Spanish mass at Santa Teresa Catholic Church in Bryan, and others at The Rock, a praise and worship night at Saint Mary’s. This day is ending as peacefully as her day started.
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Favorite Quote?
“I searched for you outside of myself, while all along you were within me. You were in me, but I was not in You.” — Saint Augustine. I love this quote because it emphasizes the importance of getting to know yourself and your story. In discovering the uniqueness of yourself—your wounds, your fears, your deepest desires to love and be loved—you come to know the creativity of God. In discovering the world that is within you, both the good and bad, you are more able to live from the depths of your heart and who you are, thus filling the world with deeper authentic love. Additionally, you are also more likely to discover the unique beauty within the people around you and accept them for who they really are, in the fullness of their humanity. Then the world becomes a more authentic and love-filled place.
6:45 A.M.
As the soft morning sun rises on the horizon, Sabrina Zuniga begins her day. Most of her mornings start with Spanish on Duolingo to keep her practicing. After some breakfast and prayer at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church, she heads to her social problems class. A senior psychology major with a minor in sociology, Sabrina is soaking in her last semester at Texas A&M and the memories and growth she was experienced here.
Why Texas A&M University?
My Dad is a die-hard Aggie and he really wanted me to go here. He even made me tour Texas A&M before we toured any other schools, but I wasn’t all that interested because I felt overwhelmed by the size of the university. After visiting, I saw how welcoming everyone was and I was able to learn more about some of the students and how they had grown and changed after attending. I just became super interested in the opportunities and resources Texas A&M has for personal growth for me.
NOON
After some quality study time, Sabrina heads to get lunch as she reflects on how she got involved with HelpLine, a student-run, after-hours, phone line for Aggies who need an ear. “It takes time and initiative to become part of HelpLine ,” she said. “It involves an application, interview, 55 hours of training, and then a two-hour final interview.” During her freshman year, Sabrina applied and made it to the training phase, in which volunteers practice calls and role play. “At the time I was struggling with anxiety and an eating disorder,” she said. “I felt that I was the person who needed to be calling, not the person answering, so I dropped out of the application process.” Sabrina took that opportunity to focus on herself. She joined Fade to Black, a hip hop group at Texas A&M. “I love to dance, and sharing this passion with other Aggies was a beautiful, uplifting experience.”
What's your favorite study spot on campus?
“If the weather is nice, I enjoy studying at the Gardens! It’s isolated, peaceful, and serene, so it brings me peace and reminds me of purpose when I am doing my school work. If the weather is not nice, I enjoy studying at the new Student Services Building since it’s quiet, close to resources, and right in the heart of campus.
1:45 P.M.
After lunch, Sabrina heads over to a HelpLine meeting, which gives volunteers the opportunity to process and discuss some of the calls they have received. “Volunteering with HelpLine is a gift,” she said. “I love the diversity and how people are so open with their experiences. It’s beautiful to interact with so many different students. It has helped me to appreciate our differences. Some calls can be challenging, but knowing I have helped someone along with the community of support at HelpLine makes it rewarding.”
What do you do in your free time?
“When I’m not doing schoolwork or volunteering for HelpLine, I’m reading, hanging out at St. Mary’s, spending time with friends, working out, and dancing. I love dancing; you can catch me whipping out some moves any time of the day no matter where I am. I also am involved with FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students), which involves Bible study and discipleship. In 2018 I had the amazing opportunity to go to Chicago for the Student Leadership Summit with Saint Mary’s. I went with these beautiful people who loved me and helped me to grow. It’s one of my favorite memories from my time at Texas A&M.”
3:00 P.M.
On her way to get more studying done, Sabrina discussed graduation in May. She is applying for master’s degree programs in clinical health counseling with low socioeconomic Latino populations. She’s not counting out the possibility of a doctorate and loves the idea of authoring a book in the future and leading workshops. Sabrina is excited to incorporate her spirituality into counseling and to be a gentle guide for those seeking help.
When did you first feel that you belong at Texas A&M?
“Definitely after the FOCUS conference in Chicago. I felt so seen and loved by the people around me that I began to grow from that. My first year-and-a-half I wrestled with loneliness and not fitting in. I learned that being my authentic self-made people still want to be around me and love me. And that’s a two-way street. I want people to feel they belong and can be themselves around me. All of us should acknowledge that it’s OK not to be OK.
At HelpLine, we really want to spread the message that we are here for you and we are ready to receive you as you are. That’s how I want to live my life at Texas A&M and after I graduate. I want people to know that they can express how they are feeling, good or bad, and be loved for that.
I belong to Texas A&M University because I am authentic and vulnerable. I learned to look within myself at what I desire and be open about it with other people. Doing this is what allowed me to find HelpLine and FOCUS at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church. I am vulnerable. I am willing to look within and share myself with others. Belonging is when you know that you are accepted for all that you are. Fitting in is shaping yourself into a mold to be liked. I don’t just fit in; I belong.
8:00 P.M.
With a long day behind her and the sun already disappearing for the night, Sabrina takes her evening to finish up homework and spend time with friends. Some evenings she spends at Spanish mass at Santa Teresa Catholic Church in Bryan, and others at The Rock, a praise and worship night at Saint Mary’s. This day is ending as peacefully as her day started.
Favorite Quote?
“I searched for you outside of myself, while all along you were within me. You were in me, but I was not in You.” — Saint Augustine. I love this quote because it emphasizes the importance of getting to know yourself and your story. In discovering the uniqueness of yourself—your wounds, your fears, your deepest desires to love and be loved—you come to know the creativity of God. In discovering the world that is within you, both the good and bad, you are more able to live from the depths of your heart and who you are, thus filling the world with deeper authentic love. Additionally, you are also more likely to discover the unique beauty within the people around you and accept them for who they really are, in the fullness of their humanity. Then the world becomes a more authentic and love-filled place.