This article was originally written for FirstGenerationStudent.com, now a part of ImFirst.org.
Research among first-generation students has shown that they are more likely to be older, more likely to be caring for a family and/or dependents, more likely to be working more hours and more likely to be a commuter student than a “traditional” student. The good news is that, perhaps out of necessity, first-generation students do a better job of managing their time in meeting the commitments of more complicated lives. On the downside, however, is the phenomenon that first-generation students tend to be less involved in college life and campus activities. So, isn’t that a fair trade-off? In exchange for being able to “squeeze in” college around the rest of your commitments, it makes sense to give up going to the homecoming bonfire. If only it was that straightforward …
First, let’s examine the various ways of becoming “involved” in your college life. Involvement includes not only being involved socially; it also means becoming involved professionally.
Social involvement includes the following types of activities:
- Spending time with fellow students outside of class discussing homework assignments, preparing for exams or working on group projects
- Taking some time to drop by and visit with a professor, a schedule advisor or a member of the administration
- Going to the library and establishing a relationship with a research librarian in your area of study
- Taking in the big football game against the school’s key rival
Does all of this “socializing” seem like a waste of time? Well, maybe on the surface. Notice what is NOT on the list: going out drinking with friends, playing video games with friends, etc. These are fun activities, but likely, they really ARE wastes of time for first-generation students with busy lives. However, the social activities listed above are the types of activities that will actually help you get better grades! Social interaction with fellow students, faculty, staff and administrators will help you understand your classes better and help to establish useful “social capital” should you need a favor when you need to miss a class. And, as for the football game? Hey, it’s the big game! Attending the game will be a good break from the normal routine. Bring your family and friends so they can see your school on a truly festive day! This will help you establish some pride in your school.
Professional involvement includes the following types of activities:
- Joining a club or organization related to your field of study (and attending meetings, or even becoming an officer)
- Accepting an internship with a firm in your area of study
- Going to tutoring sessions related to your field of study
You can appreciate that these activities are directly related to developing your understanding and experience in your field of study, and therefore make you more marketable to potential employers. Often, students lament that they do not have time to partake in professional involvement activities because they are too busy with their non-career-directed jobs. This is short-sighted thinking and will only serve to keep you in that relatively low-paying job that doesn’t help you advance in your career.
Employers consistently remark that they are looking for students who are not only successful in the classroom, but who participate in professional activities and, thereby, develop important skills that are not emphasized in the classroom: an ability to work with other people, a willingness to “go the extra mile” in developing themselves and a desire to initiate activities and lead others in their pursuit. By taking time to participate in professional activities, you are complementing your good grades with experiences that employers really value.
It is totally understandable that you might not feel that you can participate in school activities the way other students do; however, it is important to your classroom success and to your future job search that you partake of these activities in a selective, limited way. Here are just a few ideas for how to get involved in important school activities on a limited basis:
- When putting together your weekly schedule, set aside one additional hour per week to remain on campus and make a key contact. One week, study with a fellow classmate. Another week, visit the library. The next week, go to the career center and inquire about internships. You get the idea. By adding that one hour on campus per week, you can make important contacts for you time in school and your career.
- Each semester, pick one or two sporting or cultural events on campus to attend. Bring your friends and family. It will likely help you appreciate your school more.
- Talk to your employer about supporting you in pursuing an internship. Primarily, tell them how important the internship is to your future and ask them to hold the job for you so you can return to it when your internship is over. Often, with planning, this can be accomplished.
- Join a club or organization related to your field of study. Explain to the leadership that you have significant demands on your time. Ask them if it is acceptable for you to attend meetings on a selective basis and if there are any ways in which you can contribute to the organization through activities that can be completed from home or over the Internet.
In closing, do not let your various commitments keep you from becoming involved both socially and professionally in your college career. Meaningful involvement in campus life is a very important criteria for future employment—and rightfully so! Through involvement, you develop important skills that cannot be obtained in the classroom. With the understanding of how important being involved is, you must find ways to become involved, if only in limited or selective ways.