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Leonardo Mero

Ms.Wirtz

Eng 11

19 April 2016

First Generation College School graduates

High school students that are primarily introduced to the college system often times feel

unprepared and arrive inadequate to experience a college lifestyle. First generation college

students face obstacles as they begin their college careers. Most parents, students and families

encourage their children to further their education in order to be successful in life. However

striving to attain a college education for first generation college student generates emotional

impacts on both the student and the family. There are many factors that can hinder a first

generation college student from staying in school and completing their college education.

In order to better to support these students programs and supports must be in place. The

Washington Posts article titles Guilt it one of the biggest struggles first-generation college

students face, author Linda Banks-Santilli states too many colleges overlook the problems of

their first generation students. As former first generation college student who is now an

associate professor of education, I have lived this double life. My desire to help other first

generation college students resulted in research that provides insight into the lived experiences of

first generation students at Wheelock College, (Banks). This insight is helpful and inspirational

to other first generation students. Goes to show that there is support out of the boundaries of

college life. Knowing that there is other people who carried upon a successful life after being

first time college students, offers a sense of tranquility to first generation college students.
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According to the Center for Student Opportunity they answer many frequently asked

questions about college being an opportunity of success. It is essential to remark the impact of a

first time college experience. Navigating the world can be hard because of most of the steps new

students need to take. Unlike ready college students they have a clue on what to do out there and

they can rely on their family members to help them get through difficulties. However even

though college students need to surpass many difficulties this can be seen as a great advantage.

Unlike prepared students, first generation students have the ability to practice on skills that can

become really useful after college. Like finding resources that can come in handy, developing

strategies to manage their time effectively, and to stay organized. Just to name a few benefits, a

first generation college students takes with them a heavy experience that can work as a positive

factor.

However we shouldnt disregard the difficulty that first generation college students have

to face. To begin first generation college students have accomplished something immense by

attending college in the first place. A 2001 NCES study found that (Choy, 2001, p. xviii) while

82 percent of non-first-generation students enrolled in college immediately after finishing high

school, only 54 percent of students whose parents had completed high school did, and only 36

percent of students whose parents had less than a high school diploma did. This study shows that

most first generation college students feel discouraged to continue with higher level education,

with that being said first gen college students can be intimidated by the hard steps . To continue

the majority of first generation college students face difficulties such as: lack of motivation,

economic leverage, bad influences, and overwhelming classes.

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