Sophomore Sela Perez advises students to keep moving forward, as “life always gets better” and “is always changing.”

“Constantly push through on whatever you’re stuck on,” Perez said.

Perez is a psychology major who plans to become a therapist. Her biggest academic goal is to get her masters in psychology. 

Perez said, “I want to understand how the brain works and I just want to be able to help people.” 

Following her educational dream comes the dream of livelihood, as Perez said she wants to achieve “prosperity” in life. 

“I want to be able to grow old, have a family and be around people that love me and vice versa,” she said.

Perez said there is one person who inspires her more than anyone else. 

“My girlfriend is my biggest inspiration and biggest supporter,” she said. “The way she communicates with others is something that I admire and it pushes me to want to learn from her. Her patience and kindness is something that I wish to endure.”

Perez said she was born and raised in Conway with the wish to go to Colorado. 

Perez said when she goes to Colorado, she feels a sense of “belonging.” 

She said everyone should go to Colorado.

“Go into the mountains, see the city lights and enjoy the world we live in,” Perez said.

Outside of school, Perez said she attempts to make time to crochet, sculpt and paint.

“The world is just too expensive, and if I can make it myself, I will,” she said.

Perez said she “loves women.” She said she loves listening to Fiona Apple, SZA or Erykah Badu. 

“These artists are just women talking about their experiences of being women — they need to be heard,” she said.

Perez said she recommends others to educate themselves on humanistic backgrounds.

“People are very close minded and they don’t think about other perspectives when forming opinions and making decisions for other people around them,” she said. “People will never learn if they don’t sit down and try.” 

Perez said she loves meeting and helping other people. 

“If you see me around campus, say, ‘Hi,’” she said. “There has to be something we have in common.” 

Perez said she wanted to end on a fact. 

“Dogs kill more people than sharks per year. Save the sharks,” she said.