Howdy everyone! Happy Fall!! It’s so good to be back in Aggieland!

I’m Gabriela and I cannot believe I am here. When I graduated from Texas A&M in 2015 with a Bachelor of Science, I wasn’t sure what the future would hold, much less that I would have the opportunity to be back in one of my favorite places! I must say that so much has changed (I only got lost a couple times on the first day of school, oops!), but all for the better.

I am very excited to share my graduate school journey with you. However, this isn’t my first graduate degree; this last summer I graduated with a Master of Science in environmental science from the University of Texas at San Antonio. I learned so much about what it means to be a graduate student during my program, but I also experienced so much personal growth and I am excited to apply all my experiences and background to my new program. All of this makes me even more grateful to have the opportunity to be back to pursue a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences in the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, which has always been a dream of mine.

As a first-generation student, going to college is extremely scary and intimating at times, but I have had so much support from my family, my sisters, friends, and professors. I would like to let other first-generation students know that you are not alone, and you can do it! Another big difference this time around is that one my sisters (we are triplets!) is joining me in Aggieland this year! She is a third-year student in the Lerma Irma Rangel School of Pharmacy, and it feels incredible to be able to call Aggieland home with her while we pursue our graduate and professional degrees.

I would like to end this first blog by wishing everyone an amazing, educational, and fun semester. I look forward to meeting new people on campus and participating in campus events, but most of all, soaking in every moment of Aggieland because there are absolutely no words to describe it.

– Gabs           

Gabriela Vara is a doctoral student in the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.