My Panama Trip
Here I am, almost finished with my first year of college as a first generation student and I am shocked with what I have accomplished.…
Planning for Post-College Life and Fighting Senioritis
As graduation gets closer and closer, most seniors just really want to get done with everything and take a breather. I, for example, just want…
Learning Outside the Classroom, Adventures Abroad
Four months ago, I was learning how to cook in Cape Town, South Africa. From June to December last year, I interned and studied abroad…
Enjoy the Struggle
College certainly does provide it’s own pace of things. I thought I knew what stress felt like through out high school. Oh how wrong I…
How Studying Can be… Fun: A Plea to Those Onboard the Struggle Bus
“Who discovered the electron?” my brother asks as we study for our chemistry test. “All I remember is that it starts with a J, but…
Your College Questions Answered by a Graduating First-Generation Student
This article was originally written for FirstGenerationStudent.com, now a part of ImFirst.org. Instead of telling my stories in this blog post, I've taken the initiative…
My Social Wheel
At a recent residential life meeting, we were asked to fill out two sheets of paper. On the first was a circle that asked about…
How to Make Each Day Count: Managing Time and Balancing Your Schedule as a First-Gen Student
This article was originally written for FirstGenerationStudent.com, now a part of ImFirst.org. Are You a Mr. or Mrs. Do-Everything? Chances are, you're a thriving first-generation…
This Semester
When I registered for spring semester in November of last year I was extremely excited. But this semester taken quite a few unexpected turns! The…
Financial Aid Troubles
Once again it is that joyous time of year to reapply for financial aid! I say that hesitantly because this year I have actually had…
On rule-breakers
Some thoughts I had earlier tonight on leadership and game-changers: Lately I've thought a lot about how individuals we now recognize as major cultural icons…
Reporting from the Clinton Global Initiative University
On March 22, I had the privilege of attending the Clinton Global Initiative University conference at Arizona State University on behalf of Center for Student…
4 Ways to Jump-Start Your College Search Process
This article was originally written for FirstGenerationStudent.com, now a part of ImFirst.org. Spring has sprung … sort of. While many of us are still digging…
My List of Indespensible Advice for Every First-Generation College Student
This article was originally written for FirstGenerationStudent.com, now a part of ImFirst.org. I think many high school students (including myself a few years ago) assume…
Opportunity Knocks: Pre-College Prep & Outreach
Click here to view the March Opportunity Knocks newsletter featuring Pre-College Prep & Outreach opportunities at: Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, Let's Get Ready! Franklin &…
Spring Break, Finding Myself.
... It was only two weeks ago that I was out on Spring Break. Did I do anything interesting? No. Did I do homework? Some. Did…
The Power of Mentors, Yet Again!
In Ashley Hurtado's piece in State Hornet, Sacramento State University's newspaper, she describes an exciting initiative at her school. Sacramento State, one of our college…
Enjoy These Moments
Just two short years ago, I stood in the very shoes most of you now stand. I had written, proofread, and rewritten countless essays and…
Thesis, Submitted!
After more than a year of work, I have finally submitted my Harvard Senior Thesis! It's challenging to find words to describe how it feels…
Catching Up with Khadijah Williams (Harvard '13)
This week, I met up with Khadijah Williams, fellow I'm First Blogger and recent Harvard graduate. We both happened to be in San Diego at…