Here you are, in your dorm, it's midnight, and you are cranking out an essay that you are certain is A-worthy already. On your desk sits picture frames full of smiles, laughs, and even can bring out a tear if you decide to think long and hard about that certain memory. You see the one of you and your mom, her lips squished against your cheek and you're laughing hysterically. There's one of your dad holding you on a carousel when you were four - the both of you grinning from ear to ear. There's that one picture of you and your siblings posing in front of a big muddy river, wondering how they grew so fast in a few short years.
You sit there and you begin to think about how crazy it is that you are away from your family and won't see them until the next holiday. Naturally, you call your grandma everyday to complain to her about how crazy people drive in this town, but when you get off the phone with her, you wonder how she is, what's she's doing, and even if she's sleeping okay. You Skype your grandpa in hopes to hear his next political tyrant because you miss his voice, even if his complaints are draining.
You're a first generation college kid; you are the first in your family to go off on your own and earn an education after high school. You worked so hard in high school to get to where you are now. You busted your ass at your part-time job just to buy your textbooks, all while keeping up in extracurriculars, having a social life, and of course, getting good grades. You're pretty proud of yourself, as you should be, but you soon realize that your pride amounts nowhere near to the ones back home. They molded you, made you the dedicated, persistent young adult you are. They answer every question you throw their way - whether it's how long you should microwave leftover spaghetti for, or how a mortgage works - they do their best to help you even from miles away.
As a first generation college student, you have some responsibilities.
Be a role model to your younger family members: siblings, cousins, even the next door neighbor that you babysat all summer - show them that college is possible. Show them that any goal they wish to accomplish can be accomplished.
Don't take this opportunity for granted. Choose a major you're passionate about and go with it. Be the best aspiring teacher, doctor, accountant you can be. Join clubs and organizations that interest you. Be a [respected] leader and take charge of something. College is all about the experience and what you put into it, so show your family that as a first generation college kid, you're doing it right.
Don't forget the ones you left back home. Like I said, they made you this way. They helped you to get here just as much as you helped yourself. You poured your whole life into those scholarship essays, but who did you write about? You walked in on graduation day with a NHS medal around your neck, but who were the ones that pushed you to apply for it and took you to every function they hosted? You owe them a lot.
Continue to do what you're doing. Be a role model, get involved, keep up the hard work. Overall, just be a badass. Your school deserves someone like you there, so make the most of every day. And remember, when life gets to be too much, even if they didn't go to college, your family knows just a little bit more than you do...most likely.
