The Pressure of Being a First-Generation Student

A look at some of the stresses you may face as a first-generation student and ways to alleviate the pressure. Plus, some of the positives of being the first in your family to go to college!

First in your family to go to college? You face many unique challenges, but there are a lot of positives and ways to alleviate the pressure you may feel!

Being one of the first people in your family to go to college is an entirely different process. You’re walking in blind, with no one else’s experience to reference or get advice from. Sure, there are plenty of interpretations of college in the media and the movies, but how accurate are they really?

Being a first-generation college student can make your first year even more nerve-wracking. The transition from high school to college is already stressful, but when you factor in not knowing what to expect, it can be terrifying. Applying for colleges and handling student loans are also foreign subjects, which can be especially challenging to deal with when you have no one who can help you file your applications and answer questions.

When you’re a first-generation student, you may feel some added pressure other students don’t experience. Your parents may press you to get a “real” degree, like Engineering, rather than something that interests you but is perceived to lead you away from the path to success. Your parents may also put on added pressure for you to do well in school. Your college experience may be highly publicized to your relatives, and coming home may mean being bombarded with questions about college. It may seem if you do poorly, you’ll let down your whole family.

If you go to college and realize it isn’t for you, this pressure may make it harder to discuss the situation and other struggles openly with your family. They may make you feel like dropping out or changing majors will disappoint them. You may feel forced to pursue a future that makes you unhappy, and that isn’t the answer. It’s important to remember that college is about your future, so you have to be mindful of the decisions you make and how they affect you. And if this pressure causes you stress, you should talk to your family and keep your parents updated with your progression and decisions.

Being a first-generation college student isn’t always scary though. Colleges offer many resources for students who are the first in their family to go to college. Diversity offices offer one-on-one meetings when you need support. Plus, counselors are always there to help (any students).

Often diversity offices on campus have specific programs for first-generation students to help with the already tricky transition. It may even be a good idea to connect with first-generation upperclassmen and receive their advice to help you through your first year. There are also clubs dedicated to first-generation students (whether they already exist or are waiting to be formed by you), where you can connect with other students who understand what you’re going through. This is a great way to make new friends and find support when the stress feels like it’s too much. Being around friends can even make the transition smoother.

Related: Empowered by Perspective: Top Tips for Minority and First-Generation Students

It’s not unusual to struggle with the transition to college because it might seem like you’re in this alone. (You’re not!) If you’re still struggling or feel out of place during your college experience, colleges also offer counseling, which can ease the burden even more.

Specific scholarships for first-generation students can help lighten the load of freshman year too. There are multiple scholarship options open to first-generation students that will help reduce the costs of college and the need for student loans, which can be frightening to take on.

The transition from high school to college can be scary, especially as a first-generation student. But remember: as a first-gen, you aren’t struggling alone, and it isn’t shameful to ask for help. Don’t let the stress of freshman year get to you, and focus on yourself.

Find your perfect college match with our College Search tool.

Like what you’re reading?

Join the CollegeXpress community! Create a free account and we’ll notify you about new articles, scholarship deadlines, and more.

Join Now

Tags:

About Callista Tyson

Callista Tyson loves creative writing and hopes to turn it into something more than a passion.

 

Join our community of
over 5 million students!

CollegeXpress has everything you need to simplify your college search, get connected to schools, and find your perfect fit.

Join CollegeXpress
Lydia Huth

Lydia Huth

Student, Campbell University; CollegeXpress Student Writer

I discovered CollegeXpress while embarking on my college search journey as an excited—but scared and way confused—high schooler without a counselor or college-bound sibling to give me advice. Let me tell you, I’m so glad that I stumbled on this community! CollegeXpress helped me find potential colleges and keep application deadlines straight. It gave me a great list of scholarships, and the blogs and emails made me feel like I wasn’t going it alone. Almost three years later and with freshman year of college down, I still love the CollegeXpress vibe so much that I’m writing for them. I’d recommend this site to anyone!

Anthony Vidal

Anthony Vidal

High School Class of 2023

CollegeXpress has helped me in a series of different ways when it comes to finding scholarships and learning information about different universities. I actually found my dream university through CollegeXpress and am working on getting there.

Tinuola Dada

Tinuola Dada

$2,000 Community Service Scholarship Winner, 2015

I am very excited to be this year's recipient of the Multicultural Student Community Service Scholarship. This scholarship will bring me ever closer to my academic and professional goals. CollegeXpress has been an exceptional resource to me, and I recommend it to all rising seniors as they begin to navigate the college application process.

Asia Stockdale

Asia Stockdale

High School Class of 2021

CollegeXpress helped me overcome a huge hurdle. Because of the small town I live in, I felt like I would never achieve more. I felt like I could never go beyond because of costs. I feared I wouldn’t be able to find scholarships. I had no idea of where to start. With CollegeXpress, I easily found scholarships—they came to me. It was a helper, and I was instantly matched with opportunities to go above and beyond educationally.

Abhishek Kumar

Abhishek Kumar

High School Class of 2022

As a high schooler, I know how hard it is to plan for college. You have to consider a lot of factors: SAT/ACT scores, college searches, scholarships, and more. CollegeXpress has been a helpful resource that solves all these problems. One can easily create a free account and search away. They help you search for scholarships and colleges, they have graduate program search, they have lists and rankings, and so much more. CX also has a lot of articles and advice to read—whether it’s financial aid, test prep, campus visits, internships/careers, or anything. Not only that, CX gives out free scholarship money to students who sign up and create a free CX account. I love CX and will continue to use it! Thank you CollegeXpress for making my college journey easier!

College Matches
X

Colleges You May Be Interested In

Emerson College

Boston, MA