Gabriela Gonsales '25

Major: Nursing

What was it like being among the first in your family to go to college? 

It is an exciting experience and it makes me proud of the accomplishments I have made so far. This is the first step in a milestone that I will look back at the path my parents have sacrificed to make. 

What does it mean for you personally to be a part of the FGEN community and, specifically, to be a FGEN student ambassador? 

When I first came to UP, I was unaware of the opportunity to have a mentor. I would say my first year could have gone more smoothly and I wouldn’t be hesitant to ask for help, especially asking a peer mentor. I often found it intimidating to reach out to professors. Now that I am an FGEN ambassador, I have the opportunity to guide first-year students to the resources the school offers and practice asking for help. Many times, students need a little push to build their confidence in using their voices. 

What is your advice to FGEN students at UP who are facing challenges? 

Do not be afraid to reach out for help. You may have heard this many times before, but it is an obstacle FGEN students face on a daily basis. Why? Because we have no idea what we are doing! All this is a new experience and you will need help to adjust, modify and to move forward. 

Did a mentor play a role in your experience? 

My mentors are my older siblings as I am the fourth person going to college in my family. During the process of applying to colleges, my siblings would give me advice and would comfort me when I felt as if I was doing everything wrong. They may have not been able to answer all my questions, and yet the key factor my siblings played was my support system. 

What resources have been significant, meaningful or helpful for you so far during your UP experience? 

I benefited the most from going to office hours. It was not until my third semester that I took the opportunity to schedule an hour to meet with my professor every week. Sometimes I would ask the same questions and the professor would happily answer it. Do not hesitate to ask “dumb” questions, there really isn't such a thing, it is only a mindset.