Ruby Tijerina
Name: Ruby Tijerina
Age: 21
Major: Master’s in Clinical Psychology
Hometown: Edinburg, TX
High School: Robert Vela Highschool, Edinburg, TX
Why UTRGV?
I chose to attend UTRGV to follow in my mother’s footsteps and attend the same university she did while I was growing up. UTRGV allows me to continue my education while staying close to home and has a wonderful group of professors that has helped me grow my research and professional career.
What made you decide on your current major?
Back when I was a sophomore in college, I went to a hang out with friends and song titled “Wrong Side of Heaven” by Five Finger Death Punch started to play with the music video sharing a story of military men and women going to war and having many of them come back suffering from a mental disorder and living on the streets. Since my dad was in the army, I decided to show him the video and that was when he opened up about his own person struggles regarding mental health. It hit close to home knowing that someone I love was secretly struggling and it made me realize the effects a mental illness can have on a person. I chose this major to be that helping hand for those who are in need and be a support for those men and women fighting to keep our country safe.
How are you maneuvering being a student during the COVID-19 pandemic?
The Covid-19 pandemic felt like it turned our whole world upside down. What made school life easier was having a detailed schedule of assignments I needed to get done and when to do them. I also had set times for when I did my schoolwork and when to relax.
What are your greatest strengths and what are some challenges?
Adjusting to the pandemic was no easy thing to do, one minute you are hanging out with your friends and classmates on campus and the next you are spending countless hours alone in your room. The greatest challenge I had to face was my own mental health, during the semester there were moments were I felt like giving up and would convince myself that none of this mattered. Despite the hard challenges this pandemic year gave to us I manage to find my great strength, perseverance.
What do you hope to achieve beyond completion of your major?
Since I have completed my bachelor’s in psychology, I am excited to continue my education by attending the master’s program for Clinical Psychology where I plan to grow my relationships with fellow students and professors and continue on in research. In the future I wish to create a program that gives free mental health counseling to military veterans.
What do you like most about UTRGV?
One of the best things about UTRGV has to be the professors. Without them I wouldn’t be where I am today. Every professor that I talked to or asked for help were willing to take time out of their day in order to help me and fellow students excel in our education.
What does being a Vaquero mean to you?
Being a Vaquero means that you are a role model. You are willing to be a helping hand to those who are starting their college life and help fellow students excel in their careers. It’s also being proud of our community and representing the best the RGV and UTRGV as to offer.
What opportunities has UTRGV helped you find throughout your community?
While attending UTRGV I was grateful enough to be a part of Dr. Alfonso Mercado’s Multicultural research lab where I was introduced to an amazing group of graduate students. In the lab I was able to present a poster at the Texas Psychological Association, be an awardee of the Engage Scholarship program, and be a head author for an article that got published in RGVision magazine. In addition I was also lucky enough to work at the Student Union here on campus where I met a wonderful group of students and staff that made my college experience outstanding.
What advice do you have for fellow students pursuing degrees during the COVID-19 pandemic?
The Covid-19 Pandemic has made this semester very stressful and one of the most important advice I would give my fellow students is to always check in on your mental health and never give up on yourself. No matter the hardships you may face, you have the ability to excel at anything you put your mind to.