For some students, applying to college is a family tradition. For others, it’s in uncharted territory. First generation students are first in their family to attend a four year college and graduate. Being unable to receive help from parents who didn’t attend college makes it harder for them to navigate the college admissions process. So, how do first generation students manage through the tough procedure that could possibly determine their future?
Being a first generation student in high school can make the process much more difficult than it is for other students. Without any guidance from parents, facing the process that could determine lives is far more straining and stressful. With a lack of family guidance and possible understanding of college applications, it can make it much harder for first generation students to navigate many confusing forms such as the college admissions essays, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and meet deadlines.
In addition to these possible obstacles, first generation student Luis Makilan (12) shared how many also keep financial costs in mind when applying for colleges and considering different paths as “finances play such an important role in [deciding which colleges to apply to].”
He also stated that first generation students often deal with the pressure of being number one in their family, as Makilan states, “It feels like I got this whole burden on me.” First generation students commonly feel a heavier weight on their shoulders due to the sense of needing to prove themselves and their accomplishments to their families. Also seen in the Mills community of first generation students dealing with higher pressure and lack of advice from family members, students feel lost when trying to navigate the college admission process.
The San Mateo Union High School District provides a variety of support to first generation students, from checking in on them and their grades to field trips where they can visit colleges and get introduced to careers through classes. Hosted every Wednesday by Academic Counselors Jayde Tijero and Jonathan Fong in the career center, first generation students are able to receive support through assignments on discovering their identities, family history, and what pathways they’re heading. The career and college class plans field trips to nearby colleges like UC Berkeley and College of San Mateo to tour campuses and introduce students to majors and classes. Through help with this class, first generation students are able to receive support and connect with other first generation students. Many students overcome the brooding feeling of pressure on their backs through these activities as well as other accessible resources like reaching out to teachers for help and guidance, programs in the community, and through the help of peers.
By being first in their family to achieve an impressive feat by graduating from a four-year college, first generation students not only reach a great accomplishment, but are also able to inspire the rest of their family. First generation students are a vast and diverse group, as seen in Mills. They come from all kinds of backgrounds, cultural standings and unite together when navigating the challenges of applying to college. As seen at several high schools including Mills, awareness of first generation students continues to grow with higher levels of support and advantages such as scholarships, programs, and raised attention. d
First generation students move forward with resilience through their college applications journey. Ways used to navigate through the college admissions process as a first generation student include using counselor guidance, joining a college and career class, and finding help through teachers and friends. By using these strategies, first generation students are able to find guidance with college admissions. In the end, the journey of the first generation is more than writing essays, checking off checklists, meeting deadlines, and financial aid forms – it’s a story of courage and possibilities.
