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Navigating College As A First-Generation College Student by 2024 Fall Intern Evelyn Magaña

As a first-generation college student, nobody prepares you for the confusion and chaos of starting college. Your parents immigrate to a new country, hoping their children will have a better life and new opportunities. However, they sometimes don’t see their child’s struggles when entering a new chapter of their life, such as higher education. It is like being tossed into a body of water and expected to know how to swim on the spot because if you don’t, you’ll drown. This kind of experience is one that I, and many others, am familiar with as a first-generation college student. 

When I was a senior in High School, I was 17 and felt the impending doom that is college applications. My parents have told me to make something of myself all my life, and this was my opportunity. However, I would notice everyone else around me seemed to have people in their family to help direct them on how to fill out college applications, figure out what paperwork they needed to fill out or give advice in general. Meanwhile, I had to fill out those applications by myself, and if I was confused, I couldn’t simply ask my parents what to do because they were equally as confused as me. All that stress paid off when I found out I got accepted into college; this is where I can begin to do something for myself, although that was easier said than done.

My first semester at University sure was an experience. It was a fresh start for me to begin this new chapter in my life, but it came with challenges. For starters, my workload increased significantly. I took five classes in my first semester, and it felt like a mountain of assignments, projects, and tests got dumped on top of me. Secondly, I didn’t know anyone, and I was not much of a social person, so there was that, and everyone seemed to keep to themselves. Lastly, I had no guidance, and especially with being first-gen and the eldest daughter, I felt as if I was placed on a pedestal and had to present an image that I had everything pulled together and knew what I was doing. Whenever I was struggling with a class or if I had a concern about more college-related things such as registering for classes or how to study for a test properly, I couldn’t ask my parents or anyone in the family; I had to ask any of my friends either or try and find the solution myself, which I had to do a lot. Luckily, I did not have to struggle for much longer; I started forming connections with students and other faculty members by joining some school organizations, and with their help and never-ending support, all of the stress and confusion I felt seemed to disappear.

I am currently in my second year of University and have learned a lot. With what I have learned and experienced, I can pass down what I know to my younger siblings. I want to tell them things that I wish someone would have told me when I was starting University, answer all of my questions, and make sure that they are set up for success. Those who are first-generation and are currently in college know that although there are days when it will end sooner, resilience is key. You have to keep going because, eventually, the hours you have spent will pay off, but most importantly, you’re doing great and will do great things. 

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