As I get closer to my graduation date, I want to reflect a little on my entire college experience. I begin by looking at who I was when I first started. Then, I reflect on my rollercoaster journey. Lastly, I think about how my personal and professional growth will translate into my next adventures.
When I reflect on who I was when I began attending college, I think of how lost I was. I mean that both metaphorically and literally. As a first-generation college student, I was alone in figuring out this whole college thing–at least, I thought I was alone. I remember applying by myself and figuring out the whole FAFSA application by myself. I even attended my college orientation on my own. I remember feeling like figuring out this whole college thing was really going to be up to me and only me.
Before I started in the fall of 2017, I decided to try the Summer Scholars program at Virginia Commonwealth University. It is a program designed to help first-generation students navigate through the difficulties of college and to help them build a supportive system of networks and resources along the way. So, I started Summer Scholars and it has to have been the best part of my college experience because it really helped set me up for success.
On the first day of attending classes, I got beyond lost on campus trying to walk back to my dorm. I eventually called the only person in my new VCU network (an administrator) to help me navigate through that situation, but I did realize how symbolic that moment was for just how lost and unprepared I was mentally for college. As I completed the summer scholars program, I was able to build a network of helpful resources for all of the hiccups that I stumbled upon. I had issues with my financial aid and I was sent to the right people for navigating through that. I had trouble with time management and we had workshops with presentations helping build those skills. That program was so beneficial to my success in terms of resources and networking. I do not think that my first year would have been as smooth as it was if it was not for that program.
As I begin to reflect on my college journey, I begin to recognize that what helped me get through it was the fact that I was motivated, persistent, and resilient. There were many times where I wanted to throw in the towel, but I didn’t. And now I am about to graduate! I also recognize that I was not as alone as I thought I was.
When I began my second year of college, I had a mess of family issues. I was disowned and kicked out right before the first day of classes, and because of this, I had to apply for emergency campus housing. It was a very hectic first few days of school, but thanks to my VCU networks who helped navigate through the housing process, I was able to get through it. I had to pick up a second job, and thanks to my support network I was able to get assistance in applying for work-study and a work-study job.
After getting settled in after all of the chaos, I began to feel all of the pressure, all of the pain, all of the stress. I was a full-time student working two jobs, volunteering, and dealing with family issues. I was beyond stressed, and I was struggling with keeping up. That was when someone in my Summer Scholars network encouraged me to get an academic coach. So, I went ahead and requested a meeting with an academic coach, and I can say that is one of the best decisions I have ever made. Not only has my academic coach helped me navigate through time management, goal setting, and self-care, she has also helped me get through some of the most difficult times by encouraging me to keep pushing and to stay motivated. Soon after I got an academic coach, I was introduced to the AL1GN conference by my mentor, and it was by far one of the most inspirational and motivational conferences I attended. It was like the icing I needed on the top of my motivation cake. After some time, persistence, words of encouragement, and a motivational conference, I was able to get my motivation back! It was time to keep pushing and to keep my eyes on the prize!
Now that I am about to graduate, I look back at all of these circumstances and how I was able to get through them. I didn’t do it all alone. I had people in my corner cheering me on and pushing me to keep fighting despite the difficulties. I look back at how lost I was and how found and ready I feel now. I look back at how resilient I have been and how that has helped me get through it all and make it to graduation. Without the support I was able to build from the first days of my college experience in the Summer Scholars program, I would not have been able to get this far as easily as I did. My support network is what has helped me make it through some challenging times, and I will forever be grateful.
As I go off to graduate school and the workforce, I will use the skills, knowledge, and experience of being a first-gen to my benefit. I will remember that building a support network early on will pay off in the end. I will remember that I am not alone. I will remember that it is okay to ask for help when you need it. I will remember that time management is such a beautiful thing. I will remember that self-care is something that cannot be ignored. I will remember that being persistent is what will get me through. I will remember that levels of motivation have ups and downs, but that just talking to the right people and having that support can go a long way. I will remember that being resilient is not easy, but that it is possible and beneficial. Most importantly, I will remember to always embrace this part of my narrative because it is part of a larger story that has yet to be written.