Name: Gabriela Muñoz
Year: Sophomore
Hometown: Coral Springs, Florida
Age: 20
Major: Psychology
Minor: Media Communications
Relationship Status: Single
Her Campus (HC): You’ve been granted three wishes by the Her Campus genie. What do you wish for?
Gabriela Munoz (GM): First, I would wish for a tuition-free world because education shouldn’t depend on income. Second, I’d wish for my own library stocked with a never-ending supply of books. Lastly, I’d wish for my tweets not to have any typos because this seems to be the constant struggle of my life.
HC: So you’ve been an RA in Wildwood for two semesters now. What has that experience been like for you?
GM: It’s been wonderful and very rewarding! I’ve met amazing individuals and made lasting friendships. From the diversity that comprises my staff, as well as my residents, I’ve been introduced to so many passions and involvements that I did not know existed.
HC: Is there anything in the upcoming year that you’re particularly excited for?
GM: Yes! I am fortunate and grateful to have been elected as President of Psi Chi (Psychology Honor Society) for the upcoming academic year. The new e-board has already shown their passion and dedication for Psi Chi, and together we are working hard to make the upcoming year incredibly exciting for all of the members. Check out our website!
HC: Congratulations, that sounds so exciting! Tell us a little bit about your upcoming DIS (Directed Individual Study).
GM: I am currently in Dr. Baumeister’s lab and I work under Post Doctoral Fellow, Andrew Monroe. It is a social psychology lab that I’ve wanted to work in ever since I got to FSU. I’ve learned so much about the research side of psychology and all that it entails. Next semester I will continue in the Baumeister Lab, but I will also be involved in a DIS in the Anxiety and Behavioral Health Clinic, which will introduce me to the research side of clinical psychology.
HC: Let’s say you had no interest in psychology—what would your major be?
GM: Interior Design. Anything and everything on HGTV is interesting to me; I’ve probably watched every episode of Property Brothers and I have no shame about that.
HC: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
GM: Hopefully, with a Ph.D. in Psychology. I’d be happy with either social or clinical. Whether I end up as a clinical psychologist or a social psychology researcher or professor, I know psychology is the field I am meant to be in. Primarily, I hope to make a difference through my work, so I find these two areas fitting. Psychology is such an exciting field, so whatever the discipline, there is always more to learn and room to expand even if something has already been studied.
HC: I know you have a lot on your plate. How do you balance everything?
GM: My agenda aka my life in a spiral bound. I find peace in having a schedule while understanding that things can and do change. I realize I have to be flexible, but more or less I tend to have an idea of what my day, week, and month looks like, so I can plan for things accordingly.
HC: What’s been the hardest part about being away from home?
GM: Being away from my family, especially my mom. I also miss the meals from home; food tastes so much better when you don’t have to prepare it yourself.
HC: Is there anything non-academic you’d like to accomplish before you graduate?
GM: I really want to play on an intramural team. I am not too competitive, so I like the idea of getting together to play sports for fun. I would also love to get a dog to keep me company. Right now that can’t happen because there are no dogs allowed in a residence hall, but eventually I plan on getting a dog.
HC: Do you believe in mantras? If so, what’s yours?
GM: I don’t know if this counts as a mantra, but part of my sanity comes from believing that it is all in your mind. So as long as you control your thoughts, you are capable of controlling your actions.