That One Magic Letter!
Hi Everyone! Lately there's been a commercial running on t.v. about high school seniors opening college acceptance letters and it has sparked me to recollect…
Beat the Heat: Summer Plans 2013
So what are your plans this summer? Enjoying the weather? Getting a job? Traveling? Landing that internship? Well, whatever your plans are, make sure to…
Thriving Amidst Difficulty: How to Become Academically Resilient
This article was originally written for FirstGenerationStudent.com, now a part of ImFirst.org. Thinking back, I can pinpoint the moment I realized math and I didn't…
I Held My Breath for 4 Months and Survived
It's pretty probable that nearly everyone remembers where they were at and what they were doing when they were accepted into college. Some were hanging…
Gasp! I'm a senior!
My school likes to kick us out as soon as finals are over. Finals consisted of looking at slides while throwing clothes into a box…
The Peter Pan Syndrome
Another year is done! This fall, I’ll be coming back to Rochester as a junior…wow. The past two years have been some of the most…
Mark Kantrowitz's Financial Aid Tips for First-Generation Students
This article was originally written for FirstGenerationStudent.com, now a part of ImFirst.org. Students who are first in their families to enroll in college often lack…
Decisions, Decisions, Decisions
Stephanie worked at Arby’s for ten and a half months before she was fired for using her cell phone on the clock. I refused to…
A Giraffe, Paper Clip, and Banana: Creative Thinking and College Success
This article was originally written for FirstGenerationStudent.com, now a part of ImFirst.org. What do a giraffe, a paper clip and a banana have to do with…
Finding Your Own "Honors" Courses When Your High School Doesn't Offer Them
This article was originally written for FirstGenerationStudent.com, now a part of ImFirst.org. Throughout this website, we've mentioned the importance of taking AP, IB, Honors or…
Opportunity Knocks: First Year Experience
Click here to view the May Opportunity Knocks newsletter featuring First Year Experience opportunities at: Bentley University, Waltham, MA, Summer Transition Education Program (STEP) Boston…
College Can Be Stressful: Learn to Actively Cope!
This article was originally written for FirstGenerationStudent.com, now a part of ImFirst.org. Everybody feels stress from time to time—that's just part of life. As a college…
Advice From A First-Generation Student: Find Your Support System
This article was originally written for FirstGenerationStudent.com, now a part of ImFirst.org. Growing up, my parents dreamed that my siblings and I would become college…
Mid Semester Slump
It never fails. In the beginning of the semester, I am focused, determined, and productive. I study every night and make sure I attend every…
Scholarships
A general statistics for scholarships is that you normally only receive one out every thirteen scholarships you apply for. This could sound a bit depressing,…
Study Skills Series: How to Become an Ace Test-Taker
This article was originally written for FirstGenerationStudent.com, now a part of ImFirst.org. Part 4 of our Study Skills Series. Whether it's a quiz or an…
Advice for Smart Students on Succeeding in College
Last week, Lionel Anderson's post "Advice for Smart Students on Succeeding in College" on the New York Times The Choice blog offered some important insight for…
First-Generation Students are Like Triathletes in Training
This article was originally written for FirstGenerationStudent.com, now a part of ImFirst.org. College often begins with "orientation week" because the rest of your first semester…
Get to Know the I’m First Dashboard
On April 22, we held a Google+ Hangout discussing our new web app for first-gen students and their supporters, the I'm First Dashboard! Chelsea Jones, Student Support…
Study Skills Series: Speak Up! Contributing to Discussions
This article was originally written for FirstGenerationStudent.com, now a part of ImFirst.org. Part 3 of our Study Skills Series. It's a well-known fact that most people fear…