The power of first-generation

According to Forbes Advisor, about 56% of college students identify as first-generation, and these students are also more likely to come from low-income or minority backgrounds. Dr. Ciera Graham, who has over 11 years of experience in student affairs (such as college planning and career development), notes how first-generation college student graduates are more likely to earn less than their second-generation counterparts.

As a first-generation student, I have described how I encountered obstacles due to a lack of resources and learned to deal with feelings of imposter syndrome. However, the path of first-generation students is not all bleak. The label “first-generation” also signals ambition and resilience.

As a young girl, I knew college was an inevitable part of my future. At home, my parents reminded me how important good grades were for college and how college was essential for a financially secure future. In elementary school, the principal reminded us every day about the importance of college when she called us to chant the school pledge: “We learn lots so we can go to college!” I did not understand then what college was, but I knew I had to go to one.

However, the process of applying to college came with its own set of challenges. From the SAT to FAFSA, I was unfamiliar with these acronyms. I still remember, sprawled out on my living room floor, trying to figure out my parent’s tax information for the FAFSA. After hours of complaining, my mother took me to our neighbor’s house because their daughter was currently in college. Their daughter was more than willing to help. She explained how to make an account and find the number from my parent’s taxes.

First-generation students should not feel alone on their college journey, especially when they are in good company with notable figures like former First Lady Michelle Obama and Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor.

In Michelle Obama’s Becoming, she recalls how her high school counselor tried to dissuade her from applying to Princeton because she did not look like “Princeton material.” Despite the counselor’s bruising words, Obama demonstrated ambition and strength as she became even more determined to get into Princeton.

In Sonia Sotomayor’s My Beloved World, the Supreme Court Justice describes how she scraped together just enough loose change for the bus fare to visit the Princeton campus because Amtrak was out of her budget. Although Sotomayor did not come from a wealthy background, it did not stop her from pursuing a future at the campus.

The struggles of a first-generation student do not end after enrolling in a 4-year institution. They persist throughout college.

The day I received my acceptance letter to UC Davis, I screamed with joy as I ran to tell my parents. Until that point, I was the first person in my family to receive an acceptance to a 4-year university. Yet, the challenges did not end with that acceptance letter.

During my freshman orientation, I was completely lost on how to register for classes. After numerous failed attempts to register for a math class, I finally told my orientation leader I was having trouble. I felt ashamed asking for her help because it seemed like a simple task that I should be able to figure out.

However, this feeling soon dissipated when the orientation leader explained the problem. She said I was trying to register for a class that was already fully enrolled. Then, she taught me how to narrow my search for classes on specific days, determine which classes were fully enrolled, and create alternative course schedules.

In recent years, colleges have acknowledged the growing first-generation student population, and many are taking steps to address their needs. 

One notable example is UC Merced. A 2018 New York Times article explains how 75% of students at UC Merced identify as first-generation college students. Due to these unique demographics, the school has been trying to implement strategies to help first-generation students enroll at the university and earn their degrees. Recently, UC Merced has partnered with College Track to provide high school freshmen from underserved communities with the tools and mentorship to be the first in their families to graduate from college. It is described as a 10-year commitment to students by "accompanying them on their journey to, through, and beyond college."

Because first-gen students are pioneers who are braving new challenges, they should feel a sense of power and pride.