A first-generation college student has the pressure of being the family’s first graduate. It’s not just about carrying the title. Fulfilling expectations is the biggest weight.
Congratulations on having the courage to take on no easy journey. To have no college guidance or example can be hard. You feel lost. You ask yourself – where do I even start? Or how do I apply to college?
As a first-generation student, I wish I would’ve had someone give me tips about my college journey. If that’s you right now, breathe, and don’t worry. You already deserve credit for taking on this challenge.
Money opportunities
We’re most likely first-generation students because our families lacked finances. They didn’t have that opportunity. Even we might’ve been discouraged because we didn’t know where to find resources. The only help we receive in high school is applying for the FAFSA. Besides this, we’re lost in where else to find financial help.
How about if we get denied by FAFSA? Which happens many times. What else is there to do?
After applying for financial aid get in contact with the university’s financial dept. Ask for scholarships to apply. Take advantage of all the programs and events that have financial rewards.
Not gonna lie, some scholarships require essays. If you want help you have to make a big effort. Another option is applying for a school job that has tuition help.
Go to financial aid open houses. Connect with experienced students who know about financial opportunities. Worse comes to worst, you can make a payment plan each semester to pay the semester’s tuition. A payment plan should be your last option because universities have many scholarship opportunities.
Remember, when there’s a will, there’s a way!
Feeling at sea?
It’s normal to feel clueless when transitioning high school to college. All you know about college are experiences from others. I didn’t have someone tell me what a “syllabus” was. I was scared of how the college environment would be and the workload amount.
Great Schools.org article states,
Not all first-generation college students are the same, but many experience difficulty within four distinct domains: 1) professional, 2) financial, 3) psychological and 4) academic. Most of all, they need professional mentoring.
Linda Banks-Santilli
I experienced all four domains. It was a tough transition from community college to a big university with different dynamics. Besides the pressure to do my best in school, the social impact was big.
You feel alone sometimes. You eat alone. Study alone. Making friends or networking can be hard. Everybody is in a rush with busy schedules and lives. The best you can do is try to join a club and attend events to connect.
But, feeling lost is normal. As you adapt to the transition, you understand that college is not just an academic challenge. As first-gen students, it molds us to be independent without the help of anyone but ourselves.
First Generation = Evolving
Going to college is the best decision you will make. You’re opening a door of opportunities and evolving as a person. One Goal’s article “First-Generation College Student – Unique Barriers” states:
It is crucial to recognize the barriers that exist for first-generation students. By dismantling these barriers, we can ensure that these students have equal opportunities to excel academically and embark on successful careers.
Monica Selagea
First-gen students have obstacles in college. Facing those challenges is the way to success. By going to college we will have the opportunities our parents didn’t have. Many of us will be the first-ever white-collar worker out of the family.
Northeastern University article states:
The amount of people with a bachelor’s degree or higher has significantly increased, making a bachelor’s more of a necessity than an option. This is why, for many people, earning a college degree is important to their success in today’s job market.
Shayna Joubert
In today’s society, a degree is a need. Degrees make first-gen students qualified for great job opportunities. Our stories and struggles make us as credible as any non-first-gen successful college student. So YES! It is one of the best decisions we have taken!
First Gen Achievement or pressure?
Being first-gen is not just a title. For many, going to college means having a great job opportunity. Opportunity to maintain our family. Achieving our family’s dreams of buying a house or opening a business. We have all dreams and want to make our families proud.
First gens don’t just carry a title. We carry our family’s expectations. We carry the weight of achieving our dreams and our parents. College Voice article shows the story of a first-gen student.
Being a first-generation student has been a struggle for me, I have struggled not to burn out trying to reach someone else’s expectations.
Diane Rodriguez
All of us can relate to Diane Rodriguez’s experience. It’s all rainbows when we think of finally walking on stage for our diploma. But no one talks about the sleepless nights and social sacrifices we experience. The juggling between work and school. Being on the verge of giving up because we’re so mentally tired.
Not to say that if we fail, we’re not only failing ourselves. You feel you’re failing your whole family. We burn out to also reach someone else’s expectations.
When First Generations’ Battery Is Low
It’s okay to feel that your battery is low. It’s normal to feel that you carry a burden to keep up with your family’s expectations. Being a first-gen is not easy. The mental stress, workload, and doubt can taunt us. But remember why we started. And remember to put yourself first.
Do college at your rhythm. Yes, you’re doing this for your family. But most of all, for yourself.
When the battery is low, breathe, stop, and proceed. Don’t ever forget that your capacity and resilience got you where you are. Learn to balance school and your space. There’s always space to reset and practice self-care.
First-Generation Are Groundbreakers
We are not just the first college students in our family. First-gen students are groundbreakers. We are the pillars for our future generation to follow our higher education example.
Many probably think it’s just a diploma. Those who have a college degree know it’s not a paper to flaunt. It’s providing your family with a better life. It’s evolving into an educated and professional young person.
Our perseverance is capable of breaking any stereotypes. Of course, I am so proud of you for embarking on this journey without having no one to tell you what obstacles you will face.
Sincerely, from a first-gen student to another first-gen student.