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Student Life

First-Generation Students Are Far From Alone

Being a first-generation student means taking the first step into a new experience that makes you a stronger person.

Brooke Lynne

Mar 27, 2017

Bloomsburg University Susquehanna University

First-Generation Students Are Far From Alone

Allegheny College

Choosing to venture beyond a high school education is a huge step, especially when you are doing it for the first time with parents who have little to no background in post-secondary education. From the first time you tour your favorite college, to the excitement of opening your acceptance letter to begin the process of joining your Alma mater, you already know that your excitement may not be fully understood by those around you who never experienced college life.

A plethora of emotions may overwhelm you as you realize that this is a crucial moment in your life. The standardized tests and applications were one thing, but now who is going to see college the way you do? Who will you go to when your usual A+ statistics test score in high school suddenly becomes a C+?

These stresses might make you feel like you're the only one doing this alone as you realize you don't have anyone with any experience to turn to. But really, you're not alone.

Over half of the college population is first-generation students!

Knowing that almost half of your college population is doing college for the first time is a comforting feeling. Some campuses around the country even have programs specifically catered to first-generation students to meet up and attend workshops to benefit them during their first year to college, some even sticking with students throughout their whole four year experience.

If you are unsure of finding the help you need in a college setting as a first-generation student, never feel afraid to ask around campus and see if there are any programs for first-generation students. If there are none, find similar people with around you with the same concerns of being the first of their family to attend. There's even the chance of you and some new friends making your own club or organization to meet up and support one another as you go through classes and different school experiences.

Remember that just because you're the first one out of your family to go to college, you are not doing it alone. You are the student going further on a path not many take after high school. Graduation will be here before you know it and you will be an awesome model for any siblings, cousins, or any family who may one day be following the same path as you.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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First-Generation Students Are Far From Alone

Being a first-generation student means taking the first step into a new experience that makes you a stronger person.

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10 ways to prepare for finals week—beginning with getting to the library.

Who knows where we would be without them.

1. Thank you for laughing at my jokes, even when they really aren’t funny.

2. Thank you for singing unbearably loud with me all the time.

3. Thank you for letting me vent to you for hours about anything and basically being my personal therapist.

4. Thank you for ordering pizza with me at 2 in the morning.

5. Thank you for all the movie days when we don’t feel like moving.

6. Thank you for being my workout buddy everyday.

7. Thank you for sharing your closets with me.

8. Thank you for taking naps with me at random hours during the day.

9. Thank you for cleaning our home with me when we absolutely need to.

10. Thank you for all the rides when it’s late and you don’t want me to walk home alone in the dark.

11. Thank you for studying with me in our kitchen when we didn't want to go the library.

12. Thank you for making dinner with me.

13. Thank you for helping with my hair, makeup and outfit every time we go out.

14. Thank you for taking countless ugly pictures with me.

15. Thank you for not judging me when I go too long without showering.

16. Thank you for making our apartment feel like a second home.

17. Thank you for being there through all of our boy troubles.

18. Thank you for giving me a hug when I feel homesick.

19. Thank you for getting excited with me when one of us gets a good grade on an exam.

20. Thank you for still being my friend and not judging me when I say or do dumb things.

21. Thank you for telling me what I should do when I am sick.

22. Thank you for dancing horribly with me everywhere we go.

23. Thank you for staying up super late with me when we aren’t tired or can’t sleep.

24. Thank you for being super weird with me.

25. Thank you for all the unforgettable college memories.

26. And most of all, thank you for being the best friends a girl could have.

I may or may not be stressing right now.

1. "What do I have to study for?"

2. "What class do I need to study for the most?"

3. "I’m going to ace this."

4. "Focus!"

5."I have no idea what I'm reading."

6. "I should call my smart friend about this."

7. "I’m going to fail. I’m going to fail."

8. "I’m dropping out of school."

9. "What grade do I have to get on the final to pass the class?"

10. "Oh, no, I have to do good."

11. "I shouldn’t have procrastinated all semester."

12. "I wanna go to bed."

13. "We did not learn this!"

14. "I should go get food."

15. "Why do we even have finals?"

16. "I don’t want to be at the library."

17. "Get off your phone."

18. "I can watch Netflix for like 20 minutes and then go back to studying."

19. "I shouldn’t have watched Netflix."

20. "You have to study now!"

The "Happiest Place on Earth" has a lot of characters with some pretty great advice.

Remember you’re the one who can fill the world with sunshine. — Snow White

The past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it or learn from it. — Rafiki

You don't have time to be timid. You must be bold and daring. — Lumière

If watching is all you're gonna do, then you're gonna watch your life go by without ya. — Laverne

Sometimes the right path is not the easiest one. — Grandmother Willow

Always let your conscience be your guide. — Jiminy Cricket

To infinity and beyond. — Buzz Lightyear

Life is a journey to be experienced, not a problem to be solved. — Pooh

Let it go. — Elsa

If you can't say something nice, don't say nothin' at all. — Thumper

Today's special moments are tomorrow's memories. — Genie

It's a time of love, family, memory-making, and gift-giving. But also a time of stressing over the perfect gift.

Money

Socks

Blankets

Gift Cards

Hoodies and Sweatpants

Pajamas

Candles

A Fish

CDs

Movie Tickets

Candy

Gag Gifts

Dollar Shave Club

A Stocking of Toys

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Hairbands, Clips, and Bobby-pins