That's right. I am a first-generation college student.
Most of you probably would not have known that unless you asked me. I am the first person in my family to be sent off to college. Neither of my parents were fortunate enough to have the ability to afford college, and I am the oldest sibling in my family, so it seemed to be destined that I was going to be the first kid sent off.
Being a first-generation college student is both intimidating and exciting. The excitement comes from the idea that I am starting off a clean slate for my family. My family loved me enough to pay for my college, and this means that they genuinely want the best for me and my future. By knowing that I had such a huge support system back home, I knew that if I were to ever crack and fall, I would have numerous people who would immediately try to put me back together. Knowing that I wasn't going into this alone, I was excited to start this new and fresh endeavor.
But as much as this was an exciting experience, it was also mildly terrifying. Being that no one else in my family ever had to apply for colleges, compete for scholarships, or attend college classes, I was an experiment in a way. No one was really experienced in this field, so because of that, we just had to take a chance and hope that all went well.
The college process was definitely a long and arduous one. Being that I had no idea where I wanted to go, I applied to a plethora of schools all across the northeast. Also, being that I wasn't too sure of what major I was interested in, I had to look for a school with generally strong programs rather than one specific outstanding program. When financial aid and merit scholarship time came around, my family and I also had to stress over finding out how affordable each college would be for us, and which decision would be the best for me in the end.
This process acted as a learning experience for all of us. Being that I have officially completed my first year of higher education, I am actually thankful for the fact that I am a first-generation college student. The sense of the unknown that I had to encounter both before and during my college experience allowed me and continues to allow me to take risks carefully and learn from my mistakes. I didn't have to go into my experience holding on to anyone's hands. I acted as my own person and did not have to abide by or meet expectations from anyone else's college experience. I have the opportunity to set my own standards, and reach for possibilities that would have seemed impossible if I set limits on myself.
Through this experience, I gained the opportunity to stand on my own two feet and walk into the vast and high-tide ocean that is college. Sure, while you're walking in, you might fall a few times, get knocked over, or feel lost. But even in these moments, you will find a way to conquer the waves, keep moving forward and eventually find your way back to shore. And let me tell you, I am excited, because it is going to be one hell of a ride.
