First-Generation College Students: A Professors’ #1 Tip for Success
If you are a high school senior, you might be waiting to receive your college admissions letters right now. Holding that letter of acceptance in your hands will be the start of an exciting season of preparation. It might be hard to imagine what college will be like, what people you’ll meet, or even the campus itself.
It may be even harder to imagine if you are the first in your family to attend college. First-Generation College Students (FGCS) do not have the benefit of getting insight from their parents on what to expect.
Luckily, a group of college professors shared with UPchieve their top tip for college success.
But First, What is a First-Generation College Student?
A first-generation college student (FGCS) is someone whose parents do not hold a bachelor’s degree. FGCS are not uncommon at all; the Center for First-Generation Student Success estimates that more than half of all incoming undergraduates nation-wide are the first in their families to enroll in college, as of 2015.
This group of students is as intelligent and driven as their peers from college-going families. Some famous FGCS you may know include Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates Jr., billionaire Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz, and former First Lady Michelle Obama.
Unfortunately, it is common that first-generation students struggle with college completion. Only 11% of low-income FGCS graduate with a bachelor’s degree. In fact, about 25% leave college after only their first year.
First-generation college students can struggle to complete their bachelor’s degrees.
“I had no one in the family who could really tell me how college works.”
First-Generation College Students Challenges
The biggest obstacle for FGCS is that they cannot receive insight or advice from their parents on how to navigate college as a whole. This is especially so for those from immigrant families as they may be less familiar with American education overall.
Dr. Stephanie Bae, who teaches hospitality management at East Carolina University, remembers her own experience as a newly immigrated FGCS. “As I moved to the US alone, I had no one in the family who could really tell me how college works, such as how to approach the professors or what kind of resources (e.g., writing center) are available.”
Dr. Kim Strozewski from NC State University reflects, “When I started my PhD I was in over my head. I didn’t understand the culture or come from the same background.”
Consequently, many FGCS miss out on college resources and opportunities for support. This is supported by data; according to the Center for First-Generation Student Success in 2019, fewer first-generation students used health, academic advising, and academic support services than their peers.
The #1 Tip for Success as a First-Generation College Student
Our panel of professors overwhelmingly agreed that the most important action to take is to find a mentor. A mentor is simply a more experienced person that can guide and advise you in an area of your life. Your mentors can be professors, professionals, and upperclassmen who can help you during your time in college.
It is important to find mentors that are part of your college experience. Dr. Janice McCall, Assistant Professor of Social Work at California University of Pennsylvania (Cal U) says that some students may feel pulled between their home communities and their college life. “There are people who support you at home, who gave you the strength that brought you to college in the first place. You are not disconnecting from them. However, you still need mentors specific to your college life who can provide more deliberate and individualized guidance.”
“You need mentors specific to your college life who can provide more deliberate and individualized guidance. ”
It is also important to find mentors that you feel comfortable with AND who can act with your best interests in mind. Dr. Bae defines one as “someone I can talk to without thinking ‘if I say this to this person, would this come back to me and hurt me?’” Dr. McCall muses “Mentors are there to help you. If someone is toxic and blocking opportunities, move on.”
How do I find a good mentor?
One of the first steps you can take is to contact your prospective college’s student support office. Many schools have established programs that offer systemic supports for first-generation and/or low-income students. Sometimes schools title these offices as “TRIO” support or services. The name TRIO comes from a group of eight US federal programs that gives money to support students with higher needs - including first-generation college students. These programs often include explicit mentorship programs that pair students with faculty or community leaders. They also function as mentorship hubs themselves by offering things like academic advising, career counseling, peer support, and tutoring. When you contact your support office, ask how they support first-generation college students and help them complete a bachelor’s degree. If you have already decided to attend that college, ask how you can start accessing those resources as soon as possible.
If you are still researching your prospective colleges, you can start by checking which schools have received TRIO funding. You can ask a free college mentor on UPchieve’s online platform to help you search for this or you can check directly on the government website. This may help you narrow down your list of potential colleges to apply to.
Who can mentor me?
Professors can help you with non-academic needs too.
Professors
Your college professors could be ideal mentors because they are experts in their subject areas, part of the campus community, and committed to teaching students. You will also be able to meet many professors because each of your college courses will typically be taught by a different instructor. Professors can also help with non-academic needs. Dr. Xixuan Collins, a Biology professor at Black Hawk College, points out that professors typically know about college resources and community connections that can help students with personal challenges. “At my college we have a food pantry. I even found gas money for a student who told me she would stop coming to class because she didn’t have gas money! Now she’s a registered nurse. If she just stopped showing up and never said anything to me, I wouldn’t know how to help her.”
How can you establish a connection with a professor? Dr. Collins advises students to show up during office hours. Office hours are regularly scheduled blocks of time when professors allow students to drop by to talk. “Introduce yourself. Tell them you want to do well in class, and show up during office hours with your questions,” Dr. Collins suggests. If you cannot regularly make office hours, send your questions by (a grammatically correct, polite) email to your professors.
Approaching a professor can feel overwhelming and intimidating, especially if you only see them twice a week from across a huge lecture hall. You may feel more comfortable with some professors over others as well. Dr. Collins is encouraging: “Just remember, the vast majority of them love to help you; if you succeed, they succeed as teachers!”
Upperclassmen can be peer mentors for first-generation college students too.
Alumni and upperclassmen
Before you step on campus, it may also help to compile information on campus organizations. For example, you can consider connecting with professional mentors. Ask your school alumni or any campus professional organization to connect you to a graduate who was also first-generation. An upperclassman may also be someone who can mentor you on how to navigate your specific campus or major. Dr. Bae suggests getting involved with campus life as much as possible. See if there are clubs or other student organizations that appeal to you. “It could be religion-related, nationality- or ethnicity-related, major-related or anything! I think it helps students feel they are ‘part of’ and ‘belong to’ the community.” You might also find support in your school’s office in charge of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Dr. Bae says that these connections can really help first-generation students who often feel alienated and lost. “I felt lonely and confused because I didn't know much about college.” That alumni or major connection can offer professional lifelines but more importantly, those mentors can offer FGCS-specific advice and empathy. Dr. McCall agrees. “You need people in your circle. You need people who can back you up.” In Dr. Collins words, the most important tip that first-generation college students must know boils down to this:
“First, you can succeed. Second, you don’t have to do it alone.”
Additional Resources for First-Generation College Students
You don’t need to prepare for college alone! You can talk to a free college counselor through UPchieve 24 hours a day/7 days a week. And don’t forget to check out these additional resources that will help you navigate the application process: