Anushka Sarkar is a sophomore at the University of Michigan studying Political Science and Statistics in the College of Literature, Science and the Arts. Not only is she very involved around campus, but her wisdom and dedication is quite inspirational. Whether you are a freshman or a senior, you can definitely learn a lot from Anushka. Her Campus is lucky to have spoken with such a great Wolverine.
Her Campus: What activities are you involved in around campus?
Anushka Sarkar: I’m the Chair of Students for Hillary, I serve on the Executive Committee of Central Student Government as the Chief Programming Officer, I founded the Wolverine Consulting Group, and I was recently the campaign manager for a group called newMICH.
HC: Which is your favorite and why?
AS: My favorite group on campus was being part of newMICH. While the campaign season for student government has ended, it was really beautiful to see hundreds of students from different backgrounds come together to advance a common vision of inclusivity and representation within student government. I’m so lucky to have met the incredible people who were a part of newMICH, and I can’t wait to see what all of them do.
HC: What do you believe has been your biggest accomplishment at Michigan so far?
AS: My biggest accomplishment has been coming to the realization that it’s okay not to be okay all of the time. While this isn’t an accomplishment in the form of an award or an honor, it’s indicative of personal growth that has really shaped my time at Michigan. I used to be the kind of person that never talked about my problems or reached out for help, even when I desperately needed it, because I was afraid of being perceived as vulnerable or incapable of handling things. College has shown me that it’s more than okay to ask for help – it’s necessary. We all bear heavy burdens, and even the strongest among us need a little help sometimes. I’ve learned that true strength lies in relying on those who lift you up.
HC: What is your ultimate goal for after you graduate?
AS: I’d like to work in public service for a couple of years, go to law school, and then take things from there. I hope to love what I do after I graduate. I hope that the work I do is fulfilling and meaningful, and I hope that I am able to leave a lasting, positive impact on the lives of others because of it.
HC: What do you do to relax/have fun?
AS: I always hang out with friends when I need a night off. We’re pretty content to do anything from going out for the night to watching Vines for 4 hours and baking cookies. When I need to calm down or relax a bit, I call my mom. She’s the only person I can call at any time, day or night and instantly feel better. I also really like making guacamole – it’s very therapeutic, I highly recommend it.
HC: What is your favorite thing about Michigan?
AS: My favorite thing about Michigan is the incredible range of resources that exist here. While I do believe that there are some pretty significant barriers in terms of accessing some of the existing resources, I am incredibly grateful to attend a university that has well-supported offices and programs for mental health, sexual assault prevention, support for career services, research opportunities and student engagement.
HC: What is your advice to students who want to get involved on campus, but who don’t know how?
AS: The one thing I wish that someone had told me when I was an incoming freshman looking to get involved on campus is that you should look to be involved in activities that reflect the experiences that are important to you. For example, if you really like the feeling of being part of a close-knit community, then joining a 500-person club that meets once a month for a guest speaker may not be the group for you. You may, instead, find that a project team that works closely together within an organization for an entire semester fits the experience that you’re looking for. Or, if you really like the feeling of being a part of a team in a competitive setting, you may want to join a sport or a competitive team. Sometimes, liking the activity isn’t enough. Sometimes, it’s the environment and the experience that make the activity enjoyable for you. Also, seek out mentors! There are so many incredible people on this campus. They would love to give you some advice or guidance.