In any college, near and far, a common cohort of students exists on many campuses and they are referred to as First-Gens, or First Generation students. First-Gens are students are pioneers, the first ones to attend college in their immediate families. Although that is its objective definition, it can subjective when student's parents attended colleges outside of the US, or the experiences -- due to time gaps -- of being a college student differing from parent to student. For example, the change of courses and curriculums, new introduction of nationally recognized tests (SAT, IB, AP), exams, and so on.

Nevertheless, First-Gens are more likely to face obstacles in relative to other students, who are aware of 'how the educational system works.' Compiled below are eight motivational quotes that I believe will inspire first-gen students to continue to strive for excellence and to aim to be the best versions of themselves.

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1.“We shouldn’t expect [first-gens] to choose between their past and the promise of the future, or make them ashamed of where they come from." – Richard Greenwald,

2.“Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” – Thomas A. Edison

3.“All your life you are told the things you cannot do. All your life they will say you’re not good enough or strong enough or talented enough… THEY WILL TELL YOU NO, a thousand times no… quite firmly and very quickly. AND YOU WILL TELL THEM YES.” –Anonymous

4. "Life has no remote, get up and change it yourself." - Mark A. Cooper

5. "Today you are you! That is truer than true! There is no one alive who is you-er than you!” – Dr. Seuss

6.“I'm a pioneer, motherf*cker.” – Dena Rash Guzman

7. "Don't be afraid to be awesome. Sometimes being weird and different is good. When you think you're working hard, there is always someone else working harder, so always be yourself and know your stuff.” – Jacqueline MacInnes Wood

8. “Challenges are what make life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.” – Joshua J. Marine