Blog
Find advice and follow the college experiences of our current first-gen student bloggers.
Writing Research Papers
Many of my classes are humanities-based, and most of the time, the way we’re assessed by the end of the semester is through research papers. At WashU, we get introduced to research-style writing during our first year, through our required College Writing course....
You Did It! Now, Summertime!
Congratulations! You made it through this semester of college! I want to remind you that you are doing a great job in your academic journey. Whether your grades did or did not turn out the way you wished you persevered. We all can agree sometimes we can fall short in...
In Search for Summer Opportunities
Looking for what to do during the summer is a challenge. In my first year of college, I was lucky enough to have secured a fellowship through WashU’s civic engagement institute, Gephardt. I was able to receive a stipend and work for a non-profit that provided...
Halfway There
I finally finished my Sophomore year of college on May 12 at 7:04 pm, when I submitted my research project of 17 pages! This semester was tough, a lot of it depended on me holding myself accountable for time management. For example, three of my classes required me to...
On To The Next Chapter…
Graduation is soon approaching. The intensity of graduation is starting to build. I am a bit nervous about the future and what to expect while being in graduate school, but I know that there are good things in store for my future. While graduation is only a couple of...
Finally Finals
The most dreaded but most anticipated time of the year is upon us – finals week and the end of the school year! During this time it is important to remember that this week is only as hard as you make it. Studying for finals and working on final projects or papers...
Burnout and Senioritis Season!
As first-generation students, we are always under pressure to do well in school and eventually graduate. Senioritis and burnout are not uncommon in students (particularly at the end of a semester). Senioritis manifests itself as a lack of ambition, low academic...
When the Academically Challenging School is Academically Challenging
“What APs did you take in high school?” is a question I am often asked as part of my admissions ambassador job by incoming students. The reactions always get me as I list out all the APs my school had cut by the time it was my turn to take them. By the end of my...
The End of The Semester!
At the end of the semester, we get stressed. Between finals and final projects, it can become a lot all of a sudden. One week it feels like you've got so long left, and the next you realize everything is coming to an end really soon. During this time, lots of...
Finding a Job as a Student
Finding a job as a college student can be difficult, but there are options available on-campus or off-campus so the first step is figuring out where you'd feel comfortable working while also prioritizing your education and keeping up with your grades. I currently work...