Blog
Find advice and follow the college experiences of our current first-gen student bloggers.
It's a Learning Experience
Hello friends! Sorry it’s been such a long time since I’ve blogged... I’ve had so much going on and I’m not entirely sure where to start… So, in early March, I got a concussion from rugby and have had such a hard time getting back to my normal self. I had to go on...
Top 10
Freshman Year is finally over, it’s time to celebrate all summer long! Before I get to relax all summer, I’d like to take a moment to reflect on all the great things that have happened in my first year. Although there were some really hard times socially financially...
Freshman Year Through The Rearview
Freshman year has come and gone. Fall semester seemed like it would drag on and on when Spring semester flew by in a flash! In the fall, I was uncomfortable (to say the least) and thought that my four years of college would be an experience filled with challenging...
How Your Body Language Plays a Role in Your Confidence as a Student by Kristy Windedahl
This article was originally written for FirstGenerationStudent.com, now a part of ImFirst.org. Confidence is defined as having faith or trust in someone or something. A lot of people don't really understand the depth of what confidence is, or how to instill it in...
10 Steps Freshmen Need to Know to be Successful In College
This article was originally written for FirstGenerationStudent.com, now a part of ImFirst.org. It was always a dream of mine to go to college and, deep down, I always knew that I would ultimately go someday. And guess what? I finally made that dream of mine a reality,...
From First-Generation Undergrad to First-Generation Graduate Student
This article was originally written for FirstGenerationStudent.com, now a part of ImFirst.org. I always knew I was going to go to college. I didn't know where or why—I just knew I would go. I have always loved knowledge, reading, classes and learning. I'm the kind of...
“Aye, there’s the rub”
“Jeez Jason,” I exclaim rather enviously, “you must be 10 pounds heavier with all those medals hanging around your neck!” But what else can I say? My childhood friend, who just spent an entire year in Germany, graduates Summa Cum Laude—an unblemished 4.0. He...
Don't Be Afraid to Ask for Help in College: Lessons from a Graduated First-Gen by Janeth Macias
This article was originally written for FirstGenerationStudent.com, now a part of ImFirst.org. Being a first-generation college student can be exciting because you are able to pave the way for others in your family. At the same time, it can be intimidating because...
6 Ways to Study Smarter
This article was originally written for FirstGenerationStudent.com, now a part of ImFirst.org. Pulling all-nighters studying with lots of junk food and caffeine is part of the myth of what it means to be a college student. While it seems like a rite of passage, a...
The Importance of Mentors During the Application Process by Leobardo Espinoza
This article was originally written for FirstGenerationStudent.com, now a part of ImFirst.org. I've said it once and I'll say it again: the college admissions process is one of those things that isn't really understood until it's experienced. With that being said,...