Influence of Family Support on a First-Generation Student
Sheer panic filled my body as I entered an unfamiliar world in the supermarket when I lost my mother at a young age. The feeling of the unknown is what caused the anxiety. What if I do not find my mom? What if she forgets about me? How will I find her? These are questions I thought were realistic when I was a child. Nothing could compare to the feeling of confusion and loss of guidance I experienced if I decided to wander off from my mother who was just in aisle ten by the produce section. Little did I know that these experiences that would fill me with anxiety would become the reality I would become well acquainted with the more I grew up. Being a first-generation college student means you will experience this overwhelming feeling of fear because you can no longer depend on your parents for guidance.
To expand more on the term ‘first-generation college student’ the Center of First-Generation of Student Success defines this as an individual whose “parents did not complete a 4-year college or university degree.” Typical characteristics of these students include optimism, gratitude, curiosity, and contain good self-control. Lauren Falcon highlights how these students tend to feel uncomfortable in the university environment because they are under-prepared which may result in a lower grade point average compared to other students. However, this is not the case for every student. The article written by Tanya Lamar “Do I belong here? The struggles of our first-generation students,” emphasizes how balancing family and university life contributes to the disadvantages they face in university because of their imposter syndrome in both of these settings. While she does rightfully state this, I argue that she underestimates the lack of influence in family support has the ability to create more challenges in the university environment.
I believe college is often a fast-paced environment with more complex exams, essays, and expectations. With this in mind, many challenges are being faced, and adding more onto that highlights the feeling I experienced when I strayed away from my mother as a child. FAFSA is one of the first steps required to even consider college, however, the instructions to figure out what exactly needs to be done are over ten pages long. One mistake it could cause great delays in financial aid or errors in the package given. In other words, making a mistake in the FAFSA form is not one to be taken lightly. From my own experience, filling out the FAFSA form with no help or guidance can be one of the most confusing processes that foreshadow college.
Adding onto other experiences from a first-generation student include the one highlighted in the article written by Tanya. She states that a common challenge for first-generation students will be the tension that arises in the home setting. Tanya briefly explains how her mother felt as if “These changes became apparent right away, she was watching [her] change in ways she did not expect. [Tanya] would challenge the things that [her] family said or the jokes they made by pointing out how they were unintentionally hurtful to some group of people. (Lamar 10). Now this is not the exact experience for everyone, the main aspect that the author is emphasizing is the fact that becoming well-educated will affect the way people view the individual. Sometimes, it can be seen as changing for the worse because the student is paying attention to the smaller details in order to stand up for what they believe is right. Family members may not view this as a form of education, but rather a form of insult by being corrected.
To focus on the conflicts that arise in the classroom setting, Tanya stated that one of the obstacles was that she “felt like an imposter at Stanford. [She] could not identify with the narrative of most of [her] peers coming with bachelor’s degrees from highly esteemed universities and families where multiple generations had attended college” (Lamar 9). Tanya was left in disbelief of whether or not the admissions office meant to admit her. Overall, this contributes to the feelings of low self-esteem that these individuals may face, especially during their first semester at that new university. The brand new world which is filled with unknown territory which was meant for Tanya to explore to gain her confidence back.
Despite Tanya rightfully arguing that imposter syndrome is one of the most common drawbacks, she forgets to highlight the importance of family support to combat these overwhelming feelings. In Tanya’s article, she states how her mother scolded “Maybe you think you’re better than us because you went to college” (Lamar 10). After that experience, she then proceeds to discuss her experiences with imposter syndrome. While highlighting this syndrome is important, she lacks the connection that this withholds. The moment she lacked her parents’ support was when she started to doubt herself. Most parents or parents of these first-generation students will provide encouragement, Facetime calls, or even surprise visits to campus. A simple call from a loved one has the ability to remind them of all of the hard work and effort it took to get into the position they are in today. To add my own perspective on this, calling my parents every evening helps me to remember why I am putting a lot of effort into my studies. My parents keep me motivated and encourage me to always try my best. They do not expect perfection in my grades, but rather perfection in my effort. Typically, parents want nothing but the best for their children, and having support encourages them to continue to work hard. Overall, Tanya underestimates the role of a support system when it comes to encouragement after a long day of studies.
Having a support system is one of the most important aspects of going through the college journey. Creating a supportive environment is extremely beneficial because the individual will be provided with the encouragement necessary to meet their goals and create a secure sense of belonging at their university. This continued support is the difference between success and failure. Support is not only limited to family but rather peers and professors as well. The saying “it takes a village to raise a child” is exemplified through the first-generation college student experience. Without the support provided by parents, their students may have difficulty obtaining the ability to overcome their self-doubts and worries in their classroom setting. Support influences an individual to continue to work hard, reach out to a professor if they need help, or to simply put a smile on a face after a long day. A college student is truly growing up and developing new ways to navigate life independently without their parents’ guidance throughout their college years. Once the student graduates, their parents graduate alongside them because of the support and encouragement they received from them throughout their journey of obtaining their degree at their university.
