When I sat down to write this, I had to reflect on the term that has shaped a significant portion of my education, especially my college journey. First-generation. I believe being a first-generation (first-gen for short) student means I am the first in my family to attend college. Although my older brother went to college before me, I still didn’t have access to the resources and knowledge some of my peers had access to. My mom was still new to the college application and FAFSA process, and I mainly navigated that process alone. Being a first-gen student is a label that I carry with pride, and it can bring opportunities and challenges.
College was always a dream of mine, even before I knew I was a first-gen student. I longed to learn about something I was passionate about and get a degree that would lead to a career that can make a difference not only in my life but others’ lives too. Growing up, I witnessed my mom’s sacrifices to give me and my brothers a better life. She instilled the value of education and hard work into me from a young age, especially since higher education can unlock many opportunities she could not access. However, when I got to college, I learned I did not know as much as I thought.
Some challenges I faced during my first year of college were not just academic but also emotional, financial, and social challenges. I felt like I was navigating uncharted territory while seeking a college education because I didn’t have the same guidance as my peers with parents who attended college and went through the application process. Another struggle was feeling impostor syndrome and wondering if I deserved to be at college. I felt like I didn’t know as much as my peers and was letting my family down. However, a form of guidance came through my professors, advisors, and TRiO Mentors at Susquehanna.
For those who may not know, TRiO is a government-funded program that provides academic, social, and even financial guidance to students who are either first-generation, low-income, or have disabilities. The program at my school focuses on Student Support Services, and we have programs and workshops about things like time management, tax forms, paystubs, savings, budgeting, and FAFSA application help, which most first-gen students do not know about or struggle with. I am proud to say that I have been a TRiO Mentor since my sophomore year and help students like me succeed in college! Honestly, without TRiO, I don’t think I would have been able to accomplish as much as I have. I am grateful for the opportunities and knowledge that TRiO has given me.
With my mentor’s guidance, I soon realized I deserved to be at college. I wasn’t letting my family down by not knowing everything. My determination, hard work, and resilience displayed my dedication to succeed. The challenges I faced instilled values in me that helped me get to where I am today. Even with struggle, I became stronger and took on obstacles more easily.
To me, knowledge is more useful when you pass it on, so I would like to give some advice to my first-gen peers reading this article to help them with their paths to success:
- Scholarships are your best friend, especially when you are from a low-income background like me. Research scholarships and fellowships, and look for jobs that can either gain you experience in your field or money to pay for college expenses. Make sure to use your school’s resources!
- Make sure to seek support when you need it. During my first year, besides TRiO, I did not try to look for resources that could support me mentally/emotionally and struggled a bit with that aspect in the Fall semester. The best plan is to seek out help early.
- Connect with your peers! Join clubs, talk to people in your classes, and maybe make friends with your coworkers (if you work)! The social aspect of college is just as much a part of the experience as the academic aspects.
- Time management is key to success. You cannot balance the many things college offers—coursework, part-time jobs, social life, etc.—without having the skills to manage your time. Creating a schedule and having a to-do list with high-priority, medium-priority, and low-priority tasks can help you stay on track.
- Embrace challenges and changes. You will not be the same person you were in high school or during your first year in college. (The same goes for subsequent years.) Also, challenges will arise, but they are opportunities to grow and learn. Make sure to ask for help when you need it! We cannot do everything alone.
- Have a solid support system. When hard things happen, it’s great to have someone to rely on or turn to in times of need. Family, friends, advisors, professors, and other on-campus resources are your best bet.
If someone asked me, “what does being a first-generation student mean to you?” I would answer like this.
It’s long nights at the dinner table, applying to colleges with little help because my mom had never done an American college application before. It is confusion with the FAFSA, endless nights studying for exams, not knowing information my peers had access to when they came to college—having to figure it out on my own or use resources TRiO recommended. It’s working hard to maintain my grades while working three on-campus jobs because of my low-income status, knowing I cannot afford to drop out.
Being first-gen may include all these struggles, but it’s also this.
Being first-gen is passing multiple classes due to my hard work and dedication. It’s gaining experience and relationships that give me references for unique opportunities that can benefit my future. It is making the Dean’s List, being in the Honors Program, and submitting an 84-page final assignment for an Honors Colloquium class as a sophomore (yeah, it’s still crazy to me, too). It’s writing a 25-page Thought Anthology, which I got an A+ on, with glowing comments from my professor and Honors Director. Being first-gen is speaking to several audiences (students, parents, alumni, and the Board of Trustees) about the Honors program and how it has benefited me. It is receiving a prestigious academic excellence award with a scholarship and being the first person of color to receive said award. Being a first-generation student is not only making my family (especially my mom) proud but also making myself proud.
I believe this unique label is not something to be ashamed of but rather a motivation to thrive and show the world what I have to offer. I may not have access to some collegiate knowledge that others have right away, but I know that I am doing well.
Finally, I want to commend all my first-gen peers who are also walking this path. Happy National First-Gen Day to all of you! I know you will all do amazing things. 🙂
-Toni <3