First Generation College Students
As before, let us start with defining our topic.
A first-generation college student is defined as a student whose parent(s)/legal guardian(s) have not completed a bachelor’s degree. Simply, you are the first in your family to attend a four-year college/university to attain a bachelor’s degree.
The number of first-generation students is higher than people realize. According to the U.S. Department of Education NCES, nearly one-third of all incoming freshman each year are first-generation college students. NCES reported in the 2011–2012 school year, 34% of undergraduates were the first in their families to go to college. Additionally, 28% of undergraduates had parents with at least some college experience but not a bachelor’s degree.
On Feb. 18, 2019, I ran an Instagram poll for 24- hours asking if my followers were first-generation college students. The results concluded that out of 64 voters 26 were first-generation college students. That means 40 percent of the students that voted were first-generation college students.
Attending college and receiving a bachelor’s degree is not in everyone’s life path. Some people do not attend college because of the price tag that comes along with the degree. Being able to represent your family at your school is an honor and a privilege, especially when you are the first to do so. However, a major set back of being the first to go into higher education is the lack of guidance on dealing with the stress, expectations and adjustments that come along with going to college.
Many first-generation college students experience difficulty within four distinct domains: professional, financial, psychological and academic. It is important to let these students know that even though they are going down unfamiliar paths, they are supported by their families, community and school. We all should invest in research to better understand the processes of first-generation college student’s academic and career development. The success of these students will help to determine our success as a country and a society.
Although being a first-generation college student is associated with a variety of challenges, there are effective programs and peers that help to even the odds of success. More research could enhance and extend the sources of success for first-generation students. As a whole, students and their success should not be a matter of good fortune or the past of their families.
