1. You're not given starting options | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

10 Struggles Of Being A First-Generation Student

Even though we're grateful to be one.

675
10 Struggles Of Being A First-Generation Student
Kaylee Smith

A first-generation student (also known as first-scholars) is a college student whose parents do not have a bachelor's degree. Here are some typical struggles of being a first-gen.

1. You're not given starting options

The first step in choosing a college is getting a decent number of options to then narrow down from. Parents who did attend college can list off to their children why the college in which they're alumni of is the best, giving a potential option. First-gen students don't have this opportunity (even though it'd probably get annoying after a while, it's quick info as to why insert college here would be good for you).

2. Parents don't understand the process

If your parent(s) did not receive a higher education, there's a decent chance they did not even apply to college. In this case, the steps of writing essays, submitting the application, and doing FAFSA is confusing to them. Thus, if you yourself are confused, their assistance isn't an option.

3. Dorm materials

On top of the average parent not knowing what materials your specific college provides for your room, first-gen students' parents are really out of it. I appreciate your concern Mom, but no, I don't think I will need a toaster, even though they're not allowed anyways.

4. Money

Obviously, those who don't go to college typically earn less than those who did. So, having neither parent obtain any degree, the income can be scarce. This makes it harder to pay for college out of pocket, even with things such as scholarships, grants, and loans.

5. Separation

First-gen students' parents did not experience leaving home at eighteen (at least for college). If you live in dorms, especially somewhat far from your home, your parents will experience a kind of separation that they can't relate to, since they never had to separate from their parents to receive a higher education.

6. People thinking your parents are unintelligent

Nothing is ruder regarding people who haven't gone to college with the assumption that they're dumb. Just because someone's parents didn't go to college does not make them, or their parents, dumb. For example, my mom wanted to go to college, but her mom passed away. Her dad was an alcoholic and kicked her out after she graduated high school because she confronted his drinking. She was left with no money and had to work a full time, and a part-time job in turn.

7. Feeling the need to out perform everyone else

Since there is such a stigma around first-gen college students (their intelligence, ability to get good grades and function in a college setting) many of us feel the need to exceed those who aren't first gen students; trying to prove that just because we come from a different area we can still do better.

8. Spending breaks from school working

Not to say by any means those who aren't first-gen have an easy life, but more often than first-gen students they're given more opportunities for vacations on breaks. Due to the money factor, it can be more imperative for first-gen students to work as much as they can when not at school.

9. Trying to explain things to them

Credit hours, advisors, office hours of professors; these are just some of the things that you realize they don't just automatically understand.

10. Wanting to graduate for your parents

Besides my internal desire to graduate (for obvious reasons) I want to do it for my parents. To show them that even though they weren't given the chance to go to college, they worked so hard I could have the opportunity to succeed.

Even though there are struggles with being a first-generation student, we wouldn't change it for the world.

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

Disney magic for New Year!

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

4509
Disney magic kingdom castle on new years
StableDiffusion

Disney movies are well known and very popular in today's world. Although many people appreciate the plot and the storyline, not many people appreciate the wisdom these characters possess. Every Disney movie has unique advice that can be applied to everyday life. Here are 11 Disney quotes to help start your New Year off right:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

40 Gift Ideas for the Indecisive

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

118915
Christmas gifts around a tree
StableDiffusion

It's officially December. There is less than a month of 2024, and I still feel like yesterday was summer. Now comes the merriest time of the year, the Christmas season.

Everyone has been waiting for this time of year since mid-October (which is way too early, in my opinion) or before. It's a time of love, family, memory-making, and gift-giving. A lot of times when I ask friends and family what they want, I get a lot of "I don't know" or "I don't care."

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Bucket List To Live In The Now

Find excitement in your life and start exploring wherever you are right here, right now.

948
mu bucket list

I was sitting at my cubicle, now that I am an adult, looking at the rain pouring down on the windowsill, bumming on life, wishing for the rain to just stop for a full day.

There are moments where we count down the hours until work is over and how many more days till the weekend, and this many weeks until something exciting. Or something like that? Well, I was bumming because my next day off from work is not until Memorial Day weekend, which is not until the end of May. And since this is my first year out of college being a “real person,” I am totally missing the winter, spring and summer breaks. I am sure all of us have felt this way even if just for a hot minute…

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

11 Ways To Survive Finals As Told By Leslie Knope

Because you know you're going to be stressed out, and Leslie knows exactly how to survive.

697
Everything hurts and I'm dying

So finals are on their way. That's right everybody, finals are about to start.

But hey, don't panic. Start getting your affairs in order and prepare for a week of hell. Here's a few things Leslie Knope wants you to do to make your finals week just a little bit less stressful:

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

10 Signs You Go To Kent State

You know you're a true Kent Stater when...

786
Kent State University
Great Value Colleges

If you go to or went to Kent State, then more than likely you have done or will do some of these things.

1. You’ve slipped and fallen on the ice at least once.

The winters at Kent are brutal, and while the heated sidewalks and some great snow boots are always a help, there’s no chance you won’t bust it on the ice at least once in your four plus years at school.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments