Re: A Strategy for First Generation College Students?

Years ago, as a Career Counselor for dislocated workers and welfare-to-work participants - most of whom were first time college goers, I heard two themes: 1) I need someone to believe in me, and 2) it's the life stuff that makes this hard, not the classwork.

I, and my colleagues, were often the "someone" who believed in our participants. In the ongoing phone calls and meetings, we kept telling them they could do it. We often heard that their families didn't think they could, and some even wondered whether their families wanted them to succeed. We believed and told them that over and over and over.

The second theme I heard was about the "life stuff." So many first geners are working and raising kids while attending school. Often, they just needed help in problem solving: finding back-up childcare, whether to look for a different part-time job, budget dilemmas, how to figure out the paperwork for something, whether to get a tutor or drop the class. It was alway a pleasure to watch their skills grow over time, until soon, they didn't need your advice or help.

Some of my best memories of that part of my professional career was attending a graduation and seeing a proud, confident graduate basking in the joy of the day. And often hearing, "I couldn't have done it without you," while you were thinking, "What did I really do?"

I think about how anyone could do something so life-altering as going back to school without someone to believe in them. Maybe it would be possible to have mentors for those who aren't connected to programs with counselors. Maybe those mentors could be previous graduates who have been-there-done-that.

Re: A Strategy for First Generation College Students?

I have worked with this population for over 20 years, and not only is there typically no support from friends and family, the messages received at home are often discouraging. Many times education is simply not a family value. The students who are strong enough to break away from that mold require and deserve special attention and encouragement from teachers, mentors, counselors, etc.

These students are excited and driven when they first enroll. Unfortunately, the system seems to fail them along the way. Family crises, financial concerns, lack of concern on the part of the college all take a toll on the students' initial excitement and motivation. First geners need help and encouragement to remain in school. I like the idea of a graduate mentoring program very much, and possibly a support group for first geners.

I have taught and counseled students who were certain that they could not succeed, but did so against all odds. Graduation day is a major event for these students, and sometimes the biggest day of their lives. Unfortunately for first geners, 90% of them do not make it to graduation and have another failure to convince them that they cannot succeed academically.

Re: A Strategy for First Generation College Students?

I am a First Generation College Graduate in my family. A long time ago when I graduated from high school most students had no idea of what they wanted to do. I went into the service as I had no real plans for my future. Four short years later Uncle Sam offered me a chance leave his domain early and attend college under the GI Bill. The first couple of years in college were not all that pleasant for most x-GI's but we had our Veteran's on Campus group for support. Being four years older than most of the students and having experiences that most of them would never have or understand isolated me from most of the campus experiences. Don't misunderstand, I did my share of partying and studying, but most of my free time went towards jobs I had during the four years. I graduated in 1975 when jobs were scarce like today and I graduated without any debt. I enrolled in courses with a Masters Degree in mind (i.e., no work), but took an accounting job with a small company shortly after.

My financial support came from the GI Bill, my peer support came from fellow veterans, and my parents provided moral support and all of the beef I could eat.

By the time I went to college I was a responsible adult, I knew what had to be done, what sacrifices I needed to make to get it done, and the experience to know I could do whatever it took to get the job done. I don't see that in many young adults (and some not so young) today.

Maybe it is time for all young adults to serve their country and/or mankind before going off to college. Time spent in something like the Peace Corp or the Military would provide many of the skills needed to coupe with the realities that face us all.