Being the first person in your family to attend college is a huge accomplishment.
At the same time, first generation college students face unique challenges as they enter higher education. According to experts, first generation college students often face unique challenges in completing their degrees, with some leaving school before graduation.
These challenges may be unique to first generation students, but they’re not unique to you. Every incoming freshman class has diverse groups of students with a variety of backgrounds, but you are certain to be among other first generation college students. Because first generation college students’ challenges are a reality, it is also imperative that colleges are prepared to meet those challenges and support their first generation students and legacy students, alike.
If you’re a first generation college student, don’t worry—you can excel in college applications and thrive on campus. Learn how to overcome academic challenges with our tips.
What is a First Generation College Student?
First generation college students are students whose parents do not have a four-year college degree. This means that even if your parents hold multiple associates’ degrees, several certificates, and a wallet full of professional licenses, you are still considered a first generation college student.
What Does it Mean to be a First Generation College Student?
I once encountered a student—let’s call him Greg—whose father had completed an associates’ degree, taken a job, moved up the ranks, gotten a masters AND A PhD, but Greg was still considered a first generation college student. His father’s graduate degrees were done as a non-traditional mature student, partially online, funded by his company. Greg’s father didn’t have any of the college experience that his son was having and hadn’t faced any of the barriers that Greg faced. He didn’t really know what it was like.
You see, a big part of applying to and attending college is about being “in the know.” Who do I talk to about scholarships? What should I major in? What do I do when I’m sick and going to miss class for a few days? Is there a clinic on campus? How do I apply for financial aid? These are just a few of the questions you will encounter as a college student, especially in your first year.
If your parents haven’t had the college experience, they may be just as uncertain about the answers to these questions as you are.
Programs for First Generation College Students
Many two and four-year schools have programs for first generation college students, often supported through grant programs, like the federally funded TRIO programs. These types of programs are designed to connect new first generation college students with students just like them (or students who were just like them a year or two ago). This helps students begin to develop a peer support network at school. It also provides students with a number of other benefits, like academic planning and advising support, financial aid counseling, student life information, entertainment, activities, and—if you’re lucky—opportunities to acquire two of the most important resources available to students: free food and free money.
Additionally, being an active part of a program like this will provide you with someone on campus who knows you and can write letters of recommendation for you when applying for scholarships, jobs, and graduate school. I cannot overstate the value of this.
When I was applying to graduate school, I had to go back to professors whom I had taken a couple of their classes a few years earlier and hope they remembered a funny quip I made or how I asked a good question one time. When my students came to talk to me about letters of recommendation, I could speak to real experiences I had with them because I had been meeting with them every week since they had arrived on campus.
Scholarships for First Generation College Students
TRIO Student Support Services (and similar programs) offer participating students the chance to earn scholarships each year they remain enrolled and active, which are applied to the following year’s expenses.
In addition to scholarship money coming directly from the program, being connected to a program geared towards first generation college students will help you to find out about many other opportunities available only to first year students: internships, networking opportunities, and additional external scholarships. Most programs will have a board—online and/or in their office on campus—where you can learn about these kinds of opportunities.
College Admissions Tips for First Generation College Students
1. Pick a School That Wants You
What are the most important things to consider when you’re interviewing a college? Yes, you read that right, you are interviewing the colleges. You are as much of a desirable resource for the colleges as the degree and experience the colleges offer are for you. Do not forget this. You have the opportunity to be selective. Make sure that the schools you’re considering are prepared to meet your needs and excited to have you as a first generation college student.
Do the schools that you’re applying to have a support program for first generation college students? Do they have a track record of graduating these students? Do they have first generation college students on staff? In the faculty? In the administration?
Colleges that count first generation students among their ranks are often more prepared to support these students and recognize the unique perspective that these students have. It doesn’t matter if you’re applying to Yale or Directional State, a school that wants you and has what it takes to support you is the best school choice for you.
2. Research Your Major
This isn’t a tip for first generation college students so much as it is a tip for all students. Don’t go and fall in love with a beautiful campus only to discover that all they teach is underwater basket weaving. If you’re not planning to be an underwater basket weaver, or an aquanaut of any kind, this school is probably not the right fit for you.
3. Check the Website
Schools with strong supportive opportunities for first generation college students are proud of their first generation students/faculty/alumni and want to show them off.
When you search the school’s website, how easy is it to find information on programs and resources for first generation college students? Do you find it on a cursory glance, or do you have to scour the depths of the sitemap? If/when you do find something, is it positive? Highlighted? Up-to-date? Accurate?
4. Connect with First Generation Programs
Can they get you in? Probably not. Will they run over to the admissions office and stage a hunger strike on your behalf until you’re admitted? Nope. So what’s the point?
Well, many programs are limited in the number of students they can accept each year. If you’re already a known entity to them, you’re more likely to be selected into the first generation program and given access to all of the resources mentioned above. Also, I have definitely called the admissions office to inquire about a student who had expressed interest in the first generation program, only to discover that she hadn’t clicked “Submit” on her application and it was sitting in her outbox. Without that call, I wouldn’t have known why I hadn’t heard from her, and she might not have found out until it was too late.
5. Visit the First Generation Office
Is the first generation student office in a vibrant location in the student center or some recessed corner of the library only accessible by eleven flights of stairs or a decrepit elevator? Are you greeted when you arrive? Are their other students there?
You can tell a lot about a campus’ first generation scene from a quick visit to the program office. The people who work in that office may be your lifeline to campus resources over the next four years. Do you see yourself being a part of whatever they have happening? Just like the fit of the school, the first generation services must also meet your needs.
6. Don’t Hide It—Highlight It
Many first generation college students are afraid to tell people because of the perceived stigma of being a part of the out-crowd. Students don’t want to put it on applications for fear of turning off admissions counselors who won’t pick them because first generation college students are “risky.”
If you highlight your first generation status in your application, schools can connect you with their support programs from the beginning. If you hide it, and it takes a professor (or more likely someone in student development like your RA) until Thanksgiving to discover that you’re a first generation college student, you may find that you’re way behind, the programs have filled up, and there is nobody available to help you. This shouldn’t discourage you from applying, but it should discourage you from hiding your first generation status.
Double Dash Student Considerations
What are “double dash” students? Double dash students are students who arrive at college both as first generation students and student-athletes (or sometimes student-artists). Double dash students are not rare. Many first generation college students get to college because someone along the way noticed they have significant talent in a particular area and encouraged them to pursue that talent in college.
The double dash student is a student who has unique needs because their first generation status comes with the same needs as other first generation college students, but their extra-curricular schedule often makes it challenging for them to find the time to take advantage of the support available to other first generation students.
Unless you’re on a clear path to Canton, Springfield or Oklahoma City, chances are you’re not going to college as a high-earning NIL student-athlete. A not insignificant number of first generation college students arrive at college as student athletes who are hoping to parlay their athletic talents into a reduced-cost education and finish their athletic careers off while earning a degree.
It is imperative that student-athletes never forget that order matters: student first, athlete second. Your name, image, and likeness are not going to pay the bills, but your future career will. That will require the knowledge, skills, experience, and even connections you develop in college.
You may have gotten to college because you can run 100 m in under 11 s, hit .438, shot 45% from three, or can play the Moonlight Sonata on the tuba with your toes. But unless you’re in a college environment that is prepared to support you as a student your chances of staying in college and getting to show off that speed/swing/jumper/concerto diminish substantially.
As a first generation student-athlete, you should also seek support from others first generation athletes. Find a first generation coach or trainer. A really great coach doesn’t just want you for your talent. They want to bring you in, train you up, and be able to keep you. If they’re not prepared to support you as a first generation student-athlete, they’re not really prepared to coach or graduate you.
Campus Tips for First Generation College Students
1. Use Campus Resources Early
First generation students should take the time to research campus resources early on in the academic year—especially if you think you might have trouble with classes or other areas of your school life. There are likely great support systems available through your school if you take the time to look into them.
Many colleges know that first generation students need help navigating this new chapter in their life. That’s why they set up student organizations, student centers, and other programs tailored for first generation students. Look online or talk to your academic advisor to see what resources are available.
If you’re struggling to adjust to college life, don’t wait to find these resources. Take action right away so you can get the help you need!
2. Stay Proud of Your First Generation Identity
Some students might be embarrassed or ashamed of their background. It’s true that having parents who didn’t attend college could put you at a slight disadvantage. For instance, your family might not be able to give you academic advice or practical tips about college life. Still, this is not something that you should hide or shy away from.
Instead, embrace being a first generation student. After all, you got here without many of the advantages that children of college graduates enjoy. If you’re open about your identity, you’ll have an easier time finding campus resources to help you.
If you tell your advisor and other academic professionals on campus that you’re a first generation college student, they can direct you toward the right resources and give you the advice you need to succeed. Other students might be able to help too, but they can only do this if you are honest.
3. Be Patient with Yourself and Don’t Give Up
As you try to navigate your first semester, it may be easy to get frustrated with yourself. At first, you might not understand what you need to do to succeed, but be patient. You’re making a huge adjustment.
Many college students are going through the same struggles as you, even if their parents attended college, so don’t be too hard on yourself. Corny as it sounds you, have to believe in yourself and your ability to succeed.
If you’re overly negative or down on yourself, it’ll make it a lot harder to accomplish your goals. Have confidence in yourself and take the time to recognize how amazing it is that you’ve made it this far.
4. Go to Office Hours
Every college student should take advantage of office hours. While it might be intimidating to meet with your professors or TAs, attending office hours is a great opportunity to ask questions and get one-on-one time with your college professors.
Office hours will be listed at the beginning of the semester and usually appear on course syllabi. Make sure you write down the times your professor is available, and when you go to office hours, come prepared. Bring up any topics or specific areas you are having issues with.
We also recommend asking for study tips or any hints for future tests. Your professor will be more likely to help you since you’re willing to meet outside of classroom hours and are making more of an effort to succeed in class.
In recent years, some professors have started referring to their office hours as “drop-in hours,” and it can be helpful to think of office hours in these terms: this is a time to drop in and talk about whatever issues you want to.
5. Join Student Organizations and Participate in Campus Events
Finding on-campus support from advisors, professors, tutors, and other professionals is important. You want to have a strong network of people helping you succeed at school. Still, academics aren’t the only important part of your college life. You also want to stay balanced and try to socialize with your peers.
This can seem almost impossible, but remember that college isn’t all about work. You also want to forge connections and make memories. One day, you’ll leave college, and you’ll need more than good grades to fall back on.
Having connections from school and being a part of student organizations will make it easier to land jobs and show your personal qualities and strengths. Clubs, networking and other campus events, and other extracurricular opportunities can go a long way. Best of all, you’ll get to meet new people and discover more about yourself.
6. Take the Initiative in Seeking Out Financial Aid Resources
First generation college students might not know much about financial aid, and financial aid can be daunting to figure out on your own, especially since your parents don’t have any experience with FAFSA and other student aid resources. Luckily, there are plenty of opportunities to learn more available to you. We especially suggest looking up scholarships and grants aimed specifically at first generation students.
You can also look at FASFA’s website if you need help filling out your forms, or you can contact your school’s financial aid office for assistance. Don’t miss out on any aid packages, and make sure you’re taking advantage of the aid offered to you.
7. Ask for Help if You Need It
A lot of students are afraid to ask for help, even when they need it. This is a mistake you don’t want to make as a first generation student. If you’re struggling with school, mental health issues, or other problems, don’t deal with them alone.
Not only are there great resources on campus that can help you, but your friends and family can also help support you if you’re struggling. Dealing with any challenges early on will make your time on campus better, and asking for help doesn’t have to be embarrassing. It’s an opportunity for you to touch base with your support system and see how you can make improvements to your life.
8. Find Balance Inside and Outside the Classroom
Some first generation students want to do it all. Of course, college is a time to be adventurous and ambitious. You want to take this opportunity to really explore who you are and what your strengths may be. Still, don’t overload yourself with too many commitments.
It’s great to have a job, attend lots of events, join student organizations, and take tons of classes you’re interested in. Students can get a tremendous amount out of their college experience, but you don’t want to spread yourself thin.
Make sure you have enough time to get all your schoolwork done and have a balanced life outside the classroom. Finding this balance isn’t always easy, but it’s possible with planning and patience.
Conclusion
As a first generation college student, the journey may come with challenges, but with the right mindset and support, you can overcome them and succeed. By staying proactive, seeking resources, and building a strong support network, you’ll be well on your way to achieving your academic and personal goals.
We at HelloCollege aim to help you get the most out of your university preparations. For more information about paying for college and choosing a major that will aid in helping pay back student loans contact us.
