Merenda
With Being a First Generation College Student, Who Can You Talk to for More Information?
My family has never went to or completed college. This means that it is impossible to get help from them. What can I do to get help? #first-generation #help #college
17 answers
Alexandra Grashkina-Hristov
Alexandra’s Answer
Dear Merenda,
Congratulations on embarking on the journey of college. It is difficult to not be able to obtain advice from your own family, but rest assured that many people will be out there and able to help you.
One of the best ways to obtain advice is to meet someone who is already in college or perhaps a recent graduate and ask them for advice. You can ask if your school can connect you with a recent grad who can act as a mentor.
Also, you could address this issue with a teacher or coach in your school and they might give you advice but also point you to someone who can act as a mentor. Do you also have any friends who have parents/siblings who have gone to college? You should not feel bashful about approaching them and asking them to share advice.
Another way to approach this would be to ask around in the community. Do you go to a church or local club, or do some volunteer work? Ask the people who run these activities to share advice for college.
Finally, as the answers below suggest, speak with your guidance counselor in school about your questions.
Good luck!
Stephanie Velasquez
Stephanie’s Answer
Hi Merenda! First of all, I commend you on thinking and planning for college life! I would agree with Jonathan Jovel in speaking to a School Counselor as your first point of contact.
I would also encourage you to ask/find out about Opportunity Programs available at the colleges you’re planning to attend (you can ask your Counselor for assistance or they maybe able to connect you with the Admissions reps). These programs are geared towards providing academic and some financial support to students like yourself, first-generation and other student populations as well (you have to apply to those programs). I would suggest the TRiO Programs: Upward Bound (for high school students) and Student Support Services (for college students).
You can also find out through the colleges’ Student Services Department (department names may vary college to college). They will be able to provide guidance while in college but also as a resource to other services that may be available on their campus for students like yourself.
Good luck!
Stephanie recommends the following next steps:
Great feedback and spot on!
Michael Green II
Leslie King
Leslie’s Answer
Marley Sengkhammee
Marley’s Answer
Hi Merenda, first and foremost, congrats on taking the initiative to further your education. I was also a first generation college student, my parents didn't speak much English either. The truth is, you might have to do some stuff on your own. Some families are traditional or simply don't know how to help and support. This means being really diligent and taking on responsibilities of your own. Most colleges have orientations for school and financial aid presentation, attend these. I always tell my students if you won't take the time to attend these, how will you take the time to do school work? Use online resources to learn more about college and make sure that are reputable and accredited. Most of all never pay for advice or help, some websites out there charge. I grew up pretty poor so keep yourself motivated and remember the benefits of getting a degree will not only support you, but your your family and give back to your community. It only takes one person in a family to lead path for education, and the transformation it makes in families. We have six daughters in our family, five have degrees, four of them are advanced (one is a doctor!). You can do it! Last piece of advice: if you have questions, ASK, and don't stop asking until you understand!
Kimberly MacKellar
Kimberly’s Answer
It can feel daunting to make efforts to do something and not know your are doing it right! The thing is that there are so many ways to get a college education and asking lots of questions is a great start, so you are on your way.
I have read through other answers and will try just to add suggestions I have not seen so far:
See if you can make a list of all the people you can ask - counselors and advisors and admissions officers are clearly one angle but there are more....
Do you admire the parent of a friend or someone not directly related to your schooling - a neighbor, your doctor, a coach? I can not tell you how great it is when my daughter's friends ask me a question about anything that has to do with their taking responsibility and getting an education; if you don't know the specific questions at first, just ask for a bit of their time so they can offer you their advice. This is "informational interviewing" and will come in handy when you look into specific career options too. If you have any idea what you would like to do, you can ask professionals in the field what education they would advise. You don't have to know them personally, although connections can help you get their attention, so ask a favor if you have the chance. Be brave in asking for help - the worst that can happen is they are busy and you move on to your next possibility.
Take advantage of upperclassmen who seem to be succeeding at college. Sometimes a club or sport is a way to connect with more experienced students. Follow your interests, even if you have no experience with the particular sport or activity to expose yourself to people outside your classes. Once you get to know other students a bit you can choose to ask questions as they arise. Lots of people are willing to support earnest effort. Some schools even have a club for students who are the first generation in their family to go to college. Among these people you may find a mentor who can be someone to go back to and who can encourage and advise you along the way.
You will also find out that having family with degrees is not a promise of the support for college you may be imagining. Many, if not most, students feel somewhat lost in their direction at times in spite of their parents' experiences or other perceived advantages.
Take notes while or soon after you ask your questions and collect answers and perspectives. Have a special notebook for this - Something said one month could come in handy down the line. And words of encouragement are great to review when you hit a rough patch as we all do.
Although your own family may not have gone through college, you know what you want to hear from them in terms of general encouragement, so don't be afraid to ask if you think they can do it. Maybe you want a certain frequency of contact or a certain kind of support as you pursue your education. You can ask for this too by having a conversation that begins, "While I am going to school, it would be great/helpful/mean the world to me if you ......"
If you can not get this kind of support from your family, you can help yourself to it by daily reminding yourself that you are capable and you will succeed as long as you make the best choices you know in the moment and don't quit. I will be rooting for you!
Alecia Cobb
Alecia’s Answer
I wish the best in your endeavors.
Brenn M. Simonen
Brenn M.’s Answer
You can look at college websites all day long and find endless information. However, I do not recommend starting there, it's overwhelming. I do suggest starting with you. What do you want to do? That will be the question everyone wants you to answer. When you have an idea of 1 - 3 majors you are interested in, then seek out information from people you may know who already have that major or are working in that position. They will let you know what "a day in the life" is like and what it really means to work day to day in that position, and they may share what their salaries are too. Sometimes it seems like a certain career choice is interesting until you find out what it really means, and what you will do week after week may not be what you thought it would be. Talking with many people about what you are interested in will help guide you to the right college for that career/major.
Finally, get a good advisor on campus. That means someone that makes you feel heard and understood. I went through 3 advisors during my freshman year because I felt the first two weren't paying attention to me, and they were always complaining about being too busy. It stressed me out. My third advisor saved my college career, eliminated my frustration with the others, and helped me get on a fast track towards graduation; something the other two never mentioned. The advisor you have can make all the difference in the world. I am still friends with mine long after I graduated. Good luck, and be great!
Michael Green II
Michael’s Answer
At this time, the best thing to do is to talk to someone within your non-immediate family circle to see:
1) Who you feel a genuine connection with in all things.
2) Feel the person / persons have the experience to be able to help you here.
That person(s) within your non-immediate family may suggest that you go to someone they recommend. This referral from a trusted person will give you a few layers of comfort when it comes time to ask about your academic pathways.
Quite frankly, you should always remember how important it is to be relaxed and take the time to decide what your major will be. You may be inspired from a close friend, influencer, or even current high school / university teacher. If not, take the time to visit academic forums in your area with the respective college of your choice, and see how things go from there. There are also physical meetup groups (meetup.com) that have people who most likely share your dilemma/feelings and will provide some insight on your situation.
Good luck and keep us posted how it goes!
Allison Brown
Allison’s Answer
There is a lot of resources on a college campus. Utilize your advisors, professors, and mentors that are provided from day one of freshman year. Don't be afraid to ask questions because this is a new phase for everyone.
Mallory Matney
Mallory’s Answer
G Anita Heeren
G Anita’s Answer
Zahra Barikbin
Zahra’s Answer
Estefania Nuñez Astorga
Estefania’s Answer
Feel free to connect with my via LinkedIn!
http://linkedin.com/in/estefanianunezastorga
Best of luck!
Matthew Au
Matthew’s Answer
James Hanley
James’s Answer
Be careful about what college recruiters tell you. They're sales people, trying to get you into their school. Their jobs depend on recruiting you. They will not always tell you the whole truth or everything you need to know.
Kenya Morgan
Kenya’s Answer
A good start would be to talk to an advisor or guidance counselor and have questions at the ready. Also, do you know what it is you'd like to study? Your counselor could also point in the direction of what kind of schools you may want to look at and help you with scholarship opportunities.
Best of luck to you!
Jonathan Jovel
Jonathan’s Answer
A school counselor is a great personal to talk to they can help guide you to take the indicated classes so your not wasting your time. They can set you in the right track to the career you are aiming to achieve
Delete Comment
Flag Comment