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 feel! Being the first in your family to go to college is an entirely different process. You’re walking in blind, with no one else to get advice from or to share experiences for reference, making the application process and your first year even more nerve-wracking. The transition from high school to college is already stressful, but it can be terrifying when you factor in not knowing what to expect. Aside from applying to colleges and handling student loans being foreign subjects, here are a couple of other challenges first-gen students are likely to deal with.
Living up to academic expectations
When you’re a first-generation student, you may feel some added pressure other students don’t experience when it comes to choosing an academic path. Your parents may press you to get a “real” degree, like Engineering or Medical Science, rather than something that interests you. Parents who didn’t attend college often perceive certain fields to just be a distraction leading you away from the path to success. Regardless of major, parents of first-generation students may also put on added pressure to do well in school. Your college experience may even be highly publicized to your relatives, and coming home may mean being bombarded with questions about college. It may feel like if you do poorly, you’ll let down your whole family. It’s important to discuss expectations with your family and find common ground in your academic future.
Related: How to Handle Family Conflict When You Disagree About College
Deciding if college is right for you
Speaking of letting your family down, college isn’t for everyone. 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 or simply isn’t an option. 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 must be mindful of your decisions and how they affect you. And if the pressure of college is too much, you should talk to your family and keep your parents updated with your decisions.
Looking for resources to lighten the load
But you don’t have to make all these major decisions alone, and being a first-generation college student isn’t always scary though. Colleges offer many resources for students who are the first in their families to go to college to help them make the admission process and transition to college a lot easier.
- Scholarships for first-gen students: 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.
- Diversity officers and counselors: Diversity officers offer one-on-one meetings when you need support, even before you’re accepted. Plus, counselors are always there to help any students. It’s not unusual to struggle with the transition to college because you feel alone. If you’re still struggling or feel out of place during your college experience, counseling can ease the burden immensely.
- First-gen programming: Often diversity offices on campus have specific programs for first-generation students to help with the already tricky transition. It may even be helpful to connect with other first-generation upperclassmen and receive their advice to help you through your first year. There are also clubs dedicated to first-generation students, 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 is too much. Being around friends can even make the transition smoother.
Related: Making the Most of Your Campus Resources as a First–Generation Student
The transition from high school to college can be scary, especially for a first-generation student. But remember, you aren’t struggling alone, and it isn’t shameful to ask for help. Don’t let the stress of applying to college and your first year on campus get to you. There are a lot of people vying for your success if you look for them.
Ready to take the next steps in the admission process? Check out our article on First-Gen Students: How to Navigate the College Search.
