This article was originally written for FirstGenerationStudent.com, now a part of ImFirst.org.
My three-year-old son recently fell in love with the world of superheroes, particularly Spiderman. Many of us know the story; for those of you who don’t: boy gets bitten by radioactive spider, develops superhuman abilities and ultimately learns the importance of responsibility. It got me thinking: What is it about superheroes that we find so enduring? Do first-generation college students and superheroes have similarities?
I started to think back to my journey as a first-generation college student and themes started to emerge. I was not prepared for college. In fact, I was an emotional wreck in kindergarten, barely managed my way through grade school and gave up in high school because I thought I wasn’t college material. Once I made the decision to go to college, I could not get accepted and I knew the reason: it was my academic performance. Thankfully, a TRIO program (a federally-funded program for first-generation, low-income students) called the Educational Opportunity Program took a chance on me that, quite frankly, changed the course of my life. Consider that chance the bite from a radioactive spider.
So, how can you channel your inner superhero?
1. Develop your superpowers.
You may not possess actual superhuman powers but you have the potential for academic ones. Take Spiderman for example; Peter Parker acquires superhuman strength, the ability to web sling and a keen “Spidey sense.” He’s gone through a transformation but isn’t very good at using his skills. In comparison, you may struggle with your academic skills upon beginning college. Take me for example: in my first semester of college, my note-taking was abysmal, my preparation was atrocious and I had very little concept of time management. As I progressed to my sophomore year, with the help of others, my academic skills began to improve. By my senior year, I had developed academic skills. For example, I became so good at note-taking that when it was exam time, I could close my eyes and actually see my notes, a kind of x-ray vision if you will. I also became an excellent listener, and had a keen sense of knowing when a professor was lecturing on something that was going to be on an exam. YOU ALL EITHER ALREADY POSSESS OR CAN LEARN THESE SKILLS.
2. Rely on supportive secondary characters.
Let’s talk for a moment about secondary characters in comic books such as Aunt May in Spiderman or Alfred in Batman. To you, these characters are academic advisers, tutors, professors and peer mentors. Their purpose is to support, guide, teach and encourage you. There is one universal truth in comic books: superheroes struggle without supportive secondary characters. They are essential to any good comic book plot. SEEK THEM OUT. Secondary characters avail themselves to you and care about your success. They will help you through the toughest challenges and most difficult storylines. Secondary characters are heroes themselves.
3. Know that no two superheros are the same.
Wonder Woman, Superman, Batman, Green Lantern all have different abilities. In the same way, all of you come to college with different sets of academic superpowers based upon your backstory. Just because you are a first-generation college student doesn’t automatically mean that you will need to learn new skills to be successful. You may already possess the necessary skills and simply need to adapt to the college environment. After all, Superman and Wonder Women were born with their abilities. If you know your strengths, play to them and build off of what works. If you need to learn from the ground up, perfect your skills. They will stay with you long after you walk across the stage at commencement.
4. Persist through the most difficult storylines and harshest challenges.
What is one of the most consistent characteristics shared by almost all superheroes? THEY NEVER GIVE UP. No matter how powerful the villain or difficult the challenge, they persist. You will need to do this as well. You will encounter many challenges on the path to your degree. Tackling tough classes, managing work and school, homesickness, taking courses that may not interest you and developing friendships are only a sampling of the challenges that you may face. Superheroes always find the answer, become resourceful and persist. You must do the same.
5. Give back.
When you develop academic superpowers, continue to use them after graduation. Just like any superhero, always try to make the world a better place. Give your degree a purpose. Make things better for your friends, family and community. Your journey is unique and your talents are special. Get involved on campus and stay involved as a graduate to pave the way for others.
As an adviser, I help students find and develop those academic superpowers. I want students to be good decision-makers, learn responsibility, become lifelong learners and earn a degree in a timely and cost-effective manner. You might be thinking, “Isn’t this whole superhero first-generation college thing a bit far-fetched?” Possibly. However, as far-fetched as they seem, similarities do exist for us in one superhero story or another. There is one undeniable truth: if you want to be successful in college, you must rely on your academic skills, become resourceful, get involved and channel your inner superhero.