Blog
Find advice and follow the college experiences of our current first-gen student bloggers.
Deep Thoughts over Turkey
For the first time since I’ve left for college, I’ll be going home for Thanksgiving this year. The past two years I was working sporting events on campus before and after Thanksgiving to get money so I wouldn’t need to ask my dad for any money. This year there isn’t...
Join our weekly YouTube Live Chats with College Partners!
Want to chat with colleges but aren't sure how? Join our weekly YouTube Live chats with College Partners! Every Wednesday from Nov. 2nd through Dec. 21st, we'll be providing live chats with 30+ colleges and universities from across the country. You'll be able to learn...
Week 1: YouTube Live Chat with College Partners
This week, I'm First! and Strive for College hosted the first of a month long series of YouTube Live Chats with Colleges! Week 1 featured the following schools: 1. Carnegie Mellon University (PA) 2. Grinnell College (IA) 3. Monmouth College (IL) 4. Warner Pacific...
Better Call … Saul?
Building relationships in your new college should be a super high priority. I attended fly-in programs the college offered and it helped me build connections with upperclassmen that did prove helpful later in Freshman year. I'd had some reluctance to really analyze...
Things All College Students Do
I’ve seen a lot of articles about “Things X Kind of People Do” or an iteration that defines people based on certain characteristics. Like this video my friends shared on Facebook that shows the differences between successful and unsuccessful people. Or this article...
Meet, connect, reach out and build a support network!
Meet, connect, reach out and build a support network! One of the things I will take away from my undergrad experience is the importance of building a support system. I remember feeling very lost and disconnected my first year of college. It felt like no one understood...
College Is A 4-Year-Long Balancing Act For First-Generation Students
We're excited to have an I'm First! Blogger and first-generation college graduate featured on NPR! This article was originally published on November 2, 2016 on WMAC The Roundtable. College Is A 4-Year Long Balancing Act for First-Generation Students By Editor...
“So, what has been your favorite college experience thus far?”
I was crushing the interview, articulating my answers better than I had expected. I talked all about my hometown, my majors, my summer jobs and internships, my involvements in classes, and my future career aspirations. But then one seemingly simple question completely...
Love Letters to Colleges
It's constantly said that colleges look more than just your grades, which is often true. There's many factors that come into play as you're applying to your future institution and one of my favorites is: letters of recommendation. Yeah, I know asking for a letter of...
Advice on Letters of Recommendation
Letters of recommendation are a vital component of an application given that they reflect on the kind of person you are from the perspective of another. Therefore, it is very important to establish relationships with the people in your life who can accurately shine a...