Tips for First Generation Students

By Stephanie Rodriguez | October 25, 2014

You’re the first one to go to college and you’re clueless, but it’s OK. I, too, am a first generation student at Loyola University Chicago. I am also an only child and I did not have any close relatives attending college in 2010; it was difficult, but I did it! Here are some tips that worked for me!

REACH OUT EARLY. This is the most important and this is why it’s my first tip! Talk to your counselor/advisor asap. If you know you’re major advisor, talk to him or her as well. You need to make sure you’re on track so you don’t end up doing a fifth year. It’s a huge transition from high school, so make sure you’re aware of your options and you know what to do.
INVOLVE YOUR FAMILY. As a first year, I thought I could do it all myself. However, I still talked to my parents about their opinion(s) on which classes to take, even though I was the first one to go to college. Don’t try to do everything yourself, involve your parents and siblings and try to explain things to them so they understand and can help you out.
JOIN ORGANIZATIONS, INTRAMURAL SPORTS, GO WORK OUT, ETC. The goal here is to make friends. You did it in high school, do it again! You’ll meet many people and who knows, if you meet someone in your major they’ll be able to give you advice on professors, classes, homework, etc.
GO TO OFFICE HOURS. Meet with your professors if something doesn’t make sense, or if something does make sense! Let them know about your issues, or likings about the class and introduce yourself. They’re there to help; take advantage of it.
BE PATIENT. Sometimes it’s difficult for your family to understand that you have work to do, or that you can’t go home as often as you’d like because you’re swamp with papers/exams. Talk to them and explain what the classes entail and require from you. With time, they will understand and get the hang of it.
MAKE FRIENDS. Meet other people who are also first generation students. There will be days when you don’t know where to run and it’s always nice to have someone there.

These continue to work for me! MAKE THE BEST OUT OF YOUR UNDERGRADUATE EXPERIENCE.