Dear First-Generation College Students,
Congratulations! Being the first person in your family to attend college is quite an amazing and empowering accomplishment.
Education is truly one of the most valuable assets anyone can have in life, and the opportunity to attend higher education to study something you are truly passionate about is an academic experience unlike any other. As I approach the end of my first year of college, I can certainly say attending college was the best choice I could have possibly made for myself after high school.
One year ago, I was in your shoes as a senior in high school, full of anxiety and apprehension. The excitement of opening my mailbox to my first college acceptance letter combined with the nerves of an impending new and independent adventure was overwhelming.
The obsessive thoughts and considerations are all too familiar: Will I even be accepted to college? Can I even afford to go to college? How will I know which college is right for me? Is it even possible to succeed as a first-generation college student?
Mostly, big, bold letters continuously flashed across my mind: “Please! Help! Me!”
The truth is, being a first-generation college student is hard. People often mistake receiving and accepting a college offer as the greatest barrier a first-generation college student can overcome and then, the rest is history!
In reality, however, the struggles faced by first-generation college students surpass the worries of their peers to get praiseworthy grades and not gain the “Freshman 15”; the hardships for first-generation college students exist far beyond just receiving an acceptance letter and arriving to campus.
During my first year of college as a first-generation student, I learned to balance taking 17 credit hours, working 18 hours a week, interning 6 hours a week, serving as Vice President of Arabic Club and as a Floor Representative in my dorm, and managing my personal well-being (including an attempt at a social life, an adequate sleep schedule, and an effort to stay generally healthy.)
I don’t think I will ever forget one of my first weekends home from college when I sat on my bedroom floor and cried because I thought I couldn’t do it. I told myself that it was impossible to come home and work every weekend just to barely afford my tuition bill. I told myself that it was impossible to achieve good grades under so much stress and pressure.
I told myself that even if I could manage my time this way, I would be in a constant state of misery. For the first few weeks of college, I genuinely believed the negative thoughts I had imposed on myself, but nonetheless, I continued to persevere.
Halfway through the first semester of my first year, I had received nearly straight-A midterm grades and managed to make all of my tuition payments on time. I realized that I was genuinely enjoying my classes, my campus, the people I was surrounded by, and the activities I was involving myself with. I realized that, despite being stressed out, I was feeling happier and healthier than I had ever felt in high school and I even had more time to relax and do things that I enjoyed.
By the end of the first semester, I had achieved straight-A’s, made my semester tuition payments on time, earned a leadership role as Vice President of Arabic Club, and had taken on an internship at the courthouse. Not only had I completely exceeded my expectations for myself, I proved to myself that hard-work, perseverance, and passion make all the difference in achieving success.
The truth is, there are so many things that no one will tell you about what it is actually like to be a first-generation college student. You will be congratulated and hugged constantly on your high school graduation day and hear, “I’m so proud of you!” more times than you can count.
Bask in this beautiful moment, but when the time comes to begin your college journey and you are suddenly feeling alone and helpless, don’t forget why you started and what you are working towards.
As an incoming first-generation college student, I wish I knew how much I was going to struggle. I wish I knew that the hardest part wasn’t, in fact, over and the work I would learn to put in would amount to much more than I had ever put in before.
Despite this, however, I wish I knew that it was possible. I wish I knew that the time I had spent crying on my bedroom floor was for naught; that it is possible to succeed beyond your wildest dreams as a first-generation college student, no matter the additional barriers that you may be faced with.
Although it will seem unfair and uncertain at times, I promise you that the work you put in as a first-generation college student will be some of the most valuable and meaningful work of your life. When it seems like you just can't possibly believe in yourself any longer, just know that I know your struggle, and I wholeheartedly believe in you.
Sincerely,
A First-Generation College Student