This article was originally written for FirstGenerationStudent.com, now a part of ImFirst.org.
One of my favorite movies is “I Heart Huckabees.” In this movie, one characters tells another character:
“Everything you could ever want or be, you already have and are.”
I wish I could communicate this message to all of the first-generation students I meet. I work as an admissions counselor for the University of Vermont (UVM), and in my position, I counsel students who are interested in applying to our university. I answer questions related to our academic programs, student clubs, application process and many other facets of the UVM experience. I thoroughly enjoy the work I do and the conversations I have with college students, and I am always excited when I work with someone who is a first-generation student.
Why?
First-generation students bring a lot of great energy to both the college application process and their college experience. Unfortunately, many of them aren’t fully aware of how their identity as first-generation students will allow them to reach many of the goals they’ve set for themselves. As a graduate student, I researched the college experiences of first-generation students to better understand how to support them.
I know that it may be weird to think, “Someone researched me???” As creepy as that sounds, many professionals in higher education spend a great deal of their time “researching” students so they can better support them. That’s why it’s so important to heed the advice given in many of these blog posts and to reach out to the professionals around you. Whether it’s a professor, a residence hall staff member, an adviser for your club or a dean, it is both our pleasure and our job to support you.
But I digress.
A lot of research and articles describe the challenges that those who are the first in their families face when they enter college. These include (but are not limited to) lack of information about many parts of the college process, lack of familial support, dissonance that develops between students and their families as students progress in their education and social isolation around peers who appear to have more resources. These cannot be invalidated. However, these challenges can overshadow the empowering identity of being a first-generation student.
I think it’s important to know that the college acceptance process isn’t random. I don’t just post applications to a wall, throw darts and give decisions to whoever gets pinned. I look at what each student has to offer our college campus and how much they can benefit from what we have to offer them. Many first-generations students are diamonds in the rough because they tend to bring such rich experiences to our campus. Look at yourself; look at your peers; look at the contributors to this blog! First-generation students are doing GREAT THINGS and any college would be fortunate to have you on their campus. So, what are some of the qualities I notice in our first-generation student applicants? I want to touch on just two that stand out to me.
Grit
Grit has been described as a “non-cognitive trait based on an individual’s passion for a particular long-term goal or endstate coupled with a powerful motivation to achieve their respective objective.” (Thanks, Wikipedia!) You can also view a great Ted Talk on grit to learn more about this powerful quality.
The most successful individuals have grit. First-generation students typically aren’t taking their college education for granted and have worked very hard to get where they are. Unlike many other students, college was not a given for them and they lacked many of the resources and connections that allow other students to see college as a reality. But, you know what? First-generation students are at college too, and have used and developed their grit. This trait will continue to take them far as they make strides in their academics, take on leadership roles on their campuses and prepare for their careers after college.
Innovative Thinking
Take a moment to think about all of the steps you may have taken or may be taking to make college a reality: finding resources about colleges, finding scholarships, reaching out to counselors and teachers for support. It may be difficult to think that you are utilizing “innovative thinking,” but you are. Getting into and through college does not always come easily to first-generation students, and they must often use problem-solving skills and ingenuity to continue to progress toward their goals.
When you look at what employers and professors are looking for in both graduates and current students, you will notice that critical thinking skills are usually on the list. Through facing and surpassing obstacles to their success, first-generation students have developed keen innovative, problem-solving and critical thinking skills that help them get through some pretty sticky situations. The challenges that first-generation students face have allowed them to develop these important traits.
Being Empowered By Qualities You Already Possess
What are some other traits and skills that you have because of your identity as a first-generation student? Maybe you’ve had to hold various jobs and manage roles as a student, employee and family member. Maybe you’ve had to fight someone’s perception of what you’re capable of, and in doing so developed confidence and courage.
While many real challenges and obstacles will come between you and your goals of completing college, it’s important to understand that you possess many of the traits that have already prepared you to be successful. Remember that quote from “I Heart Huckabees”: “Everything you could ever want or be, you already have and are.”
It took me a while to fully grasp the meaning of that statement, but I attempt to use it when empowering first-generation students to pursue a college degree. If you look around your high school or college campus, you may start to notice that many people are not only on your side, but are rooting for your success–not because they are the ones who can help you get there, but because you already have what it takes.
Best of luck in your college search process. Although I specifically work with students who are interested in the University of Vermont, I would be happy to answer any of your questions about applying to and succeeding in college. Just shoot me an email at Ashley.Gunn@uvm.edu. Best of luck on your journey!