First generation college students have it rough right out of the gate. With parents who did not see the need or have the ability to achieve higher level education, you may find yourself with less support than a student who has one or even two parents boasting college degrees. Even convincing your parents that there is a use in attending college can be more of a challenge; after all of those fights and arguments, you must now navigate through the difficulty of filling out applications and taking the SAT with no experienced partner. But you don’t have to go it alone. Here are some tips to help first generation college students easily slide into success.
1. Start early. Getting into a good college isn’t easy. You have to have a competitive course load and an application that puts you above other students. This means taking advanced classes in high school and participating in extra-curriculars that show your interests and leadership qualities. Start your freshman year – or earlier – and follow your passions to show schools that you are a student they will want to have in their programs.
2. Have specific goals. “Attending college” is achievable, but there is more to the equation than that. You have to determine which major you are interested in and which college best suits your needs. Not every student knows exactly what they want to be when they grow up the day they enter university. However, having a specific goal in mind will help you through the hurtles that the application process – and then college itself – will throw at you.
3. Establish a support system. Not every application you fill out will return with an acceptance letter. Getting rejected from colleges you really want to attend is an unfortunate part of the college process. While you certainly don’t want to approach this with the mindset that you will fail, it’s also important to have friends and family available to support you if things don’t go as planned. It’s easy to get discouraged, but a college education is incredible valuable and working through the pain will bring you rich rewards!
4. Look for scholarships! While not everyone can ultimately go to college for free, there are plenty of resources out there for students who need a little extra help through the admissions hurtle. Make sure you start early on scholarship searches, too. Many are available to freshman and sophomores, and the earlier you start the longer you will go before burning out.
Being the first in your family to attend college is a huge achievement, and one you will certainly be proud of and grateful for in years to come. Even though it is a lot of work, it is achievable and worth every sacrifice!
Victory Step Education Team
