Ashlee McGrown
IS 101 Education and Social Change
November 19, 2012
Final Project: First-Generation College Students

First for Everything

No two people have the same experiences due to the fact that every person is different, whether it be a difference in background, education, or skin color, something separates everyone. When attending college, you become exposed to to even more differences between everyone. Students come from various backgrounds, including some students being the first in their family to attend college. These particular students are also known as first-generation college students. The hard-work and dedication of these students should not go unnoticed because they struggle differently due to them going into college blind in a sense. They do not know what to expect when going into college because proper guidance is lacked which leaves them at a disadvantage opposed to their counterparts who have family that are experiencing or have experienced the college life. However, a negativity or positivity of a person background does not determine their future, but rather the hardworking ethic and dedication it takes to succeed. “Fischer (2007) reported that black and Hispanic students are more often FGS than their white or Asian counterparts, and they also tend to have lower socioeconomic status backgrounds. Fischer added that the students also experience another disadvantage of being minorities on predominantly white campuses.” (Confronting First-Generation College Students) Researchers argue that family background heavily influences educational aspirations. “Terenzini, Pascarella, and Blimling (1996) found that FGS had lower educational aspirations than their second-generation counterparts. Terenzini’s study (1996) also reported that FGS have lower family income and support. observed that FGS are less likely to remain enrolled in a four-year institution or be on a track to a bachelor’s degree.”(Confronting First-Generation College Students)
The relationships FGS build with people on campus are essential as well. As documented within my video many staff members may be FGS themselves. This gives students the incentive to push harder once they see that it is possible to succeed, especially with all of the resources we as students have available for us today. Knowing there is a staff member you can relate to may also bridge that gap that students and faculty tend to build between themselves. Once this barrier is broken there is a entire field open for students to take advantage of. Mentor/Mentee relationship can emerge or it can be as simple as the student knowing that if every needed there is someone outside of their group of friends they can express their emotions to. Tinto found that low-income, FGS experience the highest dropout rates and are more likely to leave after the first year. (Bridging The-Gap) In today's society, being the first in your family to go to college is no excuse in regards to unsatisfactory grades or dropping out. There is help all around no matter where you are from you just have to take the time and effort to seek for it. However, after researching and talking with a few FGS myself I do realize that the challenges so often talked about are indeed true. Time management, the work load, and a social life are key elements that are common challenges. It is a given fact that college is indeed different from high-school but one never known how different it is if there is no one around to relay the message. Due to not having a positive role model around many students never really envision themselves going to college because no one else did so why should they, what makes them any different. “I never really thought much about myself going to college when I was younger, it wasn't until I got involved with football that college even became an option. If it wasn't for my athletics I honestly don't know if I would be in college right now, I could have very well be in the streets of Chicago doing things I have no business doing.” (Thomas Phinzy, Carthage College, 2016) Everyone does not have the same incentive for going to college but the it is them attending that makes a difference and that is important. For example my one of interviewees pushed himself through college and on to get other degrees for the sake of his family. He figured that with him going to college and successfully graduating in four years it would give his siblings some sort of motivation to at least finish high school. This is an example of starting your own tradition and being the role model for others to look up too. Other incentive for students is too began the journey making their dreams become a reality. Thomas for example may not have gone to college initially for academics but it is something he can not avoid. In order for him to fulfill his notion of playing in college football games he has to focus in school and pass his classes. Circumstances like so can create the realization that college is a necessity for positive future. My call to action after this project is to create some type of group or organization for FGS so that one does not have to feel like they are alone in this process. This can be used as another way to meet similar people and develop relationships. Hopefully faculty and staff with have the notion to come join as well just to talk about the experiences they had when they went to college. It will also be good for students to be able to see and have a potential role model on campus they can talk to besides going to the counselors, talking with advisers, or even friends. I feel as if it is important that FGS do not feel any different from their counterparts because as long as they contain the will for success they can achieve anything because the sky is the limit. In the end I learned a lot from choosing this as my research topic. Just because your family or older siblings did not attend college does not make you any less of a person. That was a decision they chose to make for themselves. My interviewees, however, really made it clear that first generation students backgrounds can vary. Some students come from homes where going to college is not a main priority. Whereas other students like myself come from a family where going to college was not an option but rather a must. My mother went to college for a short time span until she decided to move on with her life and go into the work force. However, the fact of her not finishing college gave her a bigger incentive to push me to always do good in school so that I could someday go to college. The main focus and goal my mom has in life is making sure that I live a better and more fortunate life than the one she lived. On numerous occasions she has stressed to me how important it is to finish school so that I can make something or my self by having a career rather than just a job. The support she offers me on a daily basis is just a flame in the fire that fuels me to continue to stay strong and motivated. Talking to my interviewees also gave me an opportunity to receive advise from a upperclassmen who is currently going through the same experience as myself and an adviser who too has been in my same position and successfully pushed through and continued on with his education. Hearing from the two of them gives me hope that not only did I get accepted into college, but I can finish. The helpful tips they gave are advice that I will take heed to and will apply to my college life. No child will get left behind because when it is all said and done, we are all college students just trying to better lives for the future.