Blog
Find advice and follow the college experiences of our current first-gen student bloggers.
Destination: Home
Spring break, you managed to swoop in and save me at the best possible time. When I was at the peak of my stressing out, you allowed me to have the break I needed. Well, right now, I’m not really on my break yet. I’m sitting in a train for seventeen hours until I...
CSO Testimonial
Jesse Sanchez shares his thoughts on CSO in this testimonial video.
Empty Pockets?
The rapper Kanye West once proclaimed that “having money isn’t everything, NOT having it is” and when the prospect of paying for college creeps up, this quote may ring truth for many first-generation college students. I am forever grateful for programs like Federal...
I Wouldn't Have It Any Other Way
College is, in a few words, is a mixture of emotions, conflicts, successes, self-realizations, ever-increasing responsibility and many falls; these very same reasons are why I love college. As I have mentioned before, college is a continuous humbling experience,...
L.O.V.E. = Love. Obey. Value. Encourage
Greetings CSO Nation! As I look back on my first year in college, I realize I’m at the half way point. I’m grateful for the opportunity, but more importantly, I’m grateful for L.O.V.E. The month of February gives me a chance to express my love for those who have...
Sometimes, I hate that I love college
College is hard at times. Being away from your family. Not having mom's pho or fried rice. Getting a fever even though you have a paper due soon. And then feeling like you had the ground pulled out from under you only to realize you just stepped on some black ice. But...
A Dream Does Not Have Price
I remember when I first saw the price tag of what used to be the school of my dreams. Beside the name "Duke University", appeared a five digit number that seemed to whisper "there is no way you can afford this". With the hope of finding other schools that would not...
Gunned down by Cupid
This is a love story. The happy ending hasn’t occurred yet, but we’re in the middle of the honeymoon stage. A few fights have occurred, but we’ve managed to overcome the issues & have positive expectations for the future. In honor of Valentine’s Day, I’d like...
Getting Money and that College Experience!
My sophomore spring is off to a great start! The semester has already picked up and is moving faster and faster every day. I can’t believe that I’ve already been in school for almost a month. If you want to see how the first few weeks went, check out the video below!...
I Hate Being Broke
You can't do a lot of things without money. You can't go out to eat with your friends. You can't enjoy that green tea latte while relaxing at a local Starbucks. You can't buy your Chemistry textbooks (They cost A LOT). And you can't pay for the laundry because each...