Some thoughts from a recent grad for all my fellow first-generation college students as you begin this new journey:
There will be times when you feel different. You will be going to school with peers that have travelled numerous countries, are trained in classical instruments, do activities that you simply did not have the money or resources to do...
Every time you walk on campus, you may feel a sense of wonder, of accomplishment, of triumph over adversity, whereas others may take it for granted; maybe they had a parent that went to the same school, or it was where “everyone” from their high school went.
Don’t feel bad about these differences.
Embrace them. Let them empower you. Your success is an accumulation of not just your painstaking efforts, but also those of generations of your ancestors. You deserve to feel proud.
Embrace them. Let them empower you. Your success is an accumulation of not just your painstaking efforts, but also those of generations of your ancestors. You deserve to feel proud.
There will also be times where things will be incredibly difficult.
First generation students struggle more with housing security, food security, and health security. You may have to work to sustain yourself. You may not have certain luxuries/privileges that others do have.
First generation students struggle more with housing security, food security, and health security. You may have to work to sustain yourself. You may not have certain luxuries/privileges that others do have.
In those times, remember what you had to go through to be where you are. Remember the struggles you had to endure - the long nights, the hunger, all the times the world wanted you to stop but you kept on going. Remember how strong you are, and trust that things will get better.
There may also be times when you feel lonely, feel that you can’t relate to a lot of other people, again, going back to feeling different.
Know that there is a community for you. You just have to find it. Be vulnerable, and the reward will be immense - I promise.
Know that there is a community for you. You just have to find it. Be vulnerable, and the reward will be immense - I promise.
Finally, there will be times where you feel that you don’t deserve to be there, that this college thing just isn’t quite for you, and that you’re not as equipped as your peers...
Know that you belong. Know that every hour, every minute of work got you to where you are. You are not defined by numbers. You are defined by your story, and you are your own author. Don’t stop writing.
Write a better story for yourself and for the world. Go and make change.
Write a better story for yourself and for the world. Go and make change.
