Posted on December 5, 2024 by
Aniah Dave is graduating with a bachelor's degree in public health. The First-Gen student has plans to attend graduate school to pursue a master of public health.
What made you decide to attend UTSA?
I attended UTSA to stay close to home! It was a good choice, at the time when I wanted to go into nursing, they had a program I was interested in.
What made you choose your major?
I initially chose my major to go into nursing. However, as I took more public health classes, I fell in love with it and had to change my career plans.
What has been your favorite moment/experience at UTSA?
My favorite experience at UTSA was becoming involved with the Public Health Society. It opened a new horizon for me, and I eventually joined the leadership board.
How did your degree shape your future goals?
It shaped my future goals by giving me more than one option in healthcare. I realized how much I loved learning and fighting for health equity/disparities, especially in sexual health.
What accomplishment are you most proud of from your time in college?
I am most proud of being the first in my family to graduate from college – it's something I worked hard for, and it feels like a huge accomplishment. Now, I'm excited to take the next step and pursue a graduate degree, not just for me, but for my family too.
What was the biggest challenge you faced during your college years, and how did you overcome it?
During college, I faced a constant battle with depression, which left me feeling overwhelmed and disconnected from everything around me. The fear of an uncertain future only deepened my struggles, making it difficult to see beyond my immediate challenges. This combination of emotional and mental turmoil often made it hard to stay motivated, and I found myself questioning whether I would ever overcome it. I overcame these challenges by reaching out for help through therapy and the wellness center on campus. Talking to a therapist helped me manage my depression and fear of the future, while the wellness center gave me the support I needed. With their help, I slowly started to feel more stable and focused and was able to move forward.
If you could give advice to incoming students, what would it be?
If I could give advice to incoming students, It would be to get involved! You really discover yourself when you put yourself out there. Once I joined an organization, it shaped my college years and led me to better experiences and opportunities!
What are your post-graduation plans, if any?
I plan on attending graduate school to earn a Masters in Public Health. I just submitted applications so wish me luck!
If your years at UTSA had a theme song, what would it be?
My theme song would be LOST! by RM. It summed up my early thoughts about University for sure.
What’s your go-to comfort food for stressful study sessions?
My go-to comfort food for stressful study sessions is definitely sour patch straws. The RowdyMart saw me daily.
What surprised you the most about college life?
I was surprised how fast it went by! I swear I was just moving into the dorms yesterday.
How do you want to use your degree to make a difference in your community or field?
I want to make healthcare, sexual health, and reproductive health more attainable for queer communities of color and low-income communities! As the current political state of our country becomes more unpredictable, my unwavering worry is for the queer population who already struggle with obtaining help in healthcare.
If you had to sum up your college experience in three words, what would they be?
In three words it would be
- Fast
- Unexpected
- Appreciative
What’s one piece of advice that you received during college that you’ll carry with you?
A piece of advice I received while at UTSA was to "slow down". It is a simple phrase, but it is true. My mind was running at a million miles throughout university, making my experience here tainted. It wasn't until I slowed down and learned how to appreciate the little things and make the most of it that I started to love college.
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