Resilience Through is a movement where the campus community share their personal stories of struggle and resilience to inspire others and remind their fellow Aggies that, no matter what they’re going through, they’re not alone. Together, we can erase the stigma of getting vulnerable, sharing and seeking help around mental well-being.
Resilience Through Video Stories
Resilience Through Written Stories
Marga Selzer - Third-year Psychology student
Organization(s): Students for Reproductive Freedom, STUCC
I am from the Central Coast of California. I grew up riding horses and playing a variety of sports, like volleyball and track and field. I love being creative, and some of my favorite things to do are paint and craft! When I'm on campus at Davis, I love spending time in the Arboretum and going out for Thai or Indian food with my friends.
What does resilience mean to you?
To me, resilience means not being afraid to put yourself out there. It's knowing that you'll encounter obstacles and failures, and persevering despite them. Resilience means that you can bounce back from whatever life throws at you and become a better person because of it. Knowing that you can grow from hardship, and that you'll always make it through.
What does mental health mean to you?
To me, mental health means taking care of yourself and your feelings. It's honoring your body when you're tired and stressed. It's listening to your feelings and letting yourself feel them. It's being vulnerable and reaching out for help when you need to.
Describe a time in your life where you’ve demonstrated resilience in a time of hardship.
During my freshman year at Davis, I was extremely anxious and homesick. I had never spent that much time away from home before, and I missed my family greatly. Adjusting to college life was difficult for me. I expected it to be fun and exciting right away. It seemed like everyone but me was having an amazing time. After my freshman year, I decided to take a break from UC Davis. I withdrew from the university and moved back home. I worked full time and attended school at a local community college. After two years, I decided I wanted to return to UCD. I felt a bit nervous and apprehensive. I hadn't been there in a few years and felt like an outsider. I didn't know what it would be like after my break. I reapplied anyways, and trusted that after some time away, I would be better prepared to take on college life. I ended up really enjoying being back. Davis felt like home to me! I remembered how to get around and loved being back amongst other students. I was gentle with myself during times of academic stress and didn't force myself to take on more than I could handle. I got a job on campus at the Alumni Center, as well as an internship at HEP. Trusting myself to take some time off and having the courage to come back ended up being a great choice for me. From this experience, I learned that not everyone is on the same path, and that's okay. Doing what is uniquely right for you can be hard, but you know yourself better than anyone else.