Blog
Find advice and follow the college experiences of our current first-gen student bloggers.
Newbie
Hi guys! How are you all? I hope very well and excited to know about what college is like or just a little bit of someone else’s experience. As a first time student attending college in my family, I feel highly privileged to share my personal journey at Trinity...
The 8 Most Important Things You Can Do in College as a First-Generation Student
This article was originally written for FirstGenerationStudent.com, now a part of ImFirst.org. I'm proud to say that I was the first in my family to graduate from college. Being a first-generation college student from the West Side of Chicago, Ill. was tough; however,...
5 Things Every College Freshman Needs to Have on Hand
This article was originally written for FirstGenerationStudent.com, now a part of ImFirst.org. The fall semester is here and new students are coming to campus, all blurry-eyed and bushy-tailed for their first semester of college. What an exciting time in one's life!...
Finding the Fit: College Selection Tips for First-Generation Students, Part 1
This article was originally written for FirstGenerationStudent.com, now a part of ImFirst.org. Deciding where to go to college can be stressful for most high school students. First-generation students may feel extra pressure because they're the first ones in their...
Embracing the Challenges That Come With Being a First-Gen Student
This article was originally written for FirstGenerationStudent.com, now a part of ImFirst.org. We all grow up with ambitions and desires that fill us with joy. We want to become somebody, do something and go somewhere. Do you remember when you dreamed you would become...
How to Approach a Professor for Help: Tips from a Professor
This article was originally written for FirstGenerationStudent.com, now a part of ImFirst.org. In October 1990, I finished my first in-class essay exam for a medieval European history course at Oberlin College. I had studied for a week beforehand and created elaborate...
The Kryptonite of Procrastination: How to Manage Deadlines in College by Kristy Windedahl
This article was originally written for FirstGenerationStudent.com, now a part of ImFirst.org. Ever notice how the word procrastination looks like a good thing? It starts with "pro," and if you are a pro, then you are good at whatever it is that you're a pro at; or,...
Getting the Most Out of Your College Investment by Getting Involved
This article was originally written for FirstGenerationStudent.com, now a part of ImFirst.org. As the first person in my family to attend college, I was fully aware that I was blazing a new trail. My mom was a constant source of support through my time in college, but...
Why Early College Programs are Great for First-Generation Students by Dustin Ham
This article was originally written for FirstGenerationStudent.com, now a part of ImFirst.org. Being a first-generation college student can be very challenging as we have to overcome many financial restrictions. Let’s face it: if you are a first-generation...
Marshal was right…Lose Yourself
Hello guys, Joey Lynn here with some friendly advice about how to survive college (at least the first two years.) I am currently a junior at the famed University of Georgia. When I first came to the great college town of Athens, I arrived with some preconceived...