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First generation college student essay
Background on first-generation students
Challenges faced by first generation college students
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Public Community Colleges: Creating Access and Opportunities for First- Generation College Students The author, Julia Brookshire Everett commenced the article, “Public Community Colleges: Creating Access and Opportunities for First Generation College Students”, by first characterizing first- generation college students and also expounding on the difficulties first-generation students encountered when acquiring post-secondary degrees. According to Everett (2015), the term ‘first- generation college student’ was first coined in the 1960s in order to regulate student eligibility for federally financed programs to aid students from low-income households. Although community colleges struggle with low retention and transfer rates, Everett (2015) mentioned that community colleges created opportunities for first-generation students through five divisions of admission (p. 52). The intention of this article was to address the five divisions of access provided by community colleges for first-generation college students which include: financial accessibility, geographic accessibility, programmatic accessibility, academic accessibility, cultural/social/physical accessibility and also the problems faced by these students after admission. Summary According to Everett (2015) students who have college-educated parents are at an advantage when it comes to enrolling in and finishing college (p.53). She also mentioned that this presumption was established on a concept that was acknowledged as social capital. Social capital, as defined by the author, is “the value of a relationship that provides support and assistance in a given social situation” (Everett, 2015, p. 53). The word ‘access’, in relation to higher education, was defined as the circum... ... middle of paper ... ...gh, and straightforward. Conclusion Everett pointed out the favorable circumstances provided by public community colleges which created access for first-generation students. She divided access into five categories: financial, geographic, programmatic, academic, and cultural/social/physical accessibility. She went on to elaborate the different ways in which these elements aided first-generation students in attending college. She concluded the article with a few challenges faced by first-generation students and the programs that were implemented to combat such challenges. Discussion Questions 1. What other ways can access and opportunity be created for first-generation students? 2. Could an affordable program be created to prepare first-generation students for college? 3. What are some more ways to aid first-generation students with the challenges faced in college?
Saunders, M., & Serna, I. (2004). Making college happen: The college experiences of first-generation Latino students. Journal of Hispanic Higher Education, 3(2), 146-163.
If failure ever becomes an option, reconsider your choices and work out a plan where it is not even considered. Finding groups that help first generation students will help you tenfold. Students do not have to face the learning curve alone. Tutors and professors understand that being a first generation student is difficult even if the university doesn’t have anything to help. On top of not knowing about college and dealing with a learning curve, first generation students also have a fear of becoming unrecognizable to their own families. The development of two separate identities can often make it difficult for these students to branch out and learn. The fear of becoming someone else and not knowing can lead students to living in a shell where they are not only excluding themselves from others, but also from learning and being educated. More colleges need to implement a program that helps first generation students transition to college life. Without anything being done, these students will continue to have the highest dropout
For the past few decades, receiving a college education has been a stressed importance in today’s society. However it is often misunderstood that attending a 4-year school is the best and only way to go. Following this belief, many students attend these schools with out being academically, financially, or mentally prepared. Unfortunately students like this have failed to over look the more realistic options available to them, such as community college. Junior college is a resource available to anyone regardless of his or her previous academic performance. The variety of courses and the inexpensive tuition gives students flexibility to explore the many options presented to them. Though Universities hold more prestige, community colleges provide endless opportunities for students who aren’t fully prepared for a 4-year education
At the turn of the 20th century, the majority of college students were white male adolescents, primarily the sons of doctors, lawyers, ministers, prosperous merchants, and well-to-do farmers (Jenkins, Miyazaki, and Janosi). First generation college students are a new demographic when it comes to the college population. First generation students are the first in their family to attend college and plan to be the first in their family that graduate. According to data provided by the National Center for Education Statistics, First Generation Students make up 43% of the student population (Nunez, Cuccaro-Alamin, and Carroll.). This is a completely new demographic compared to the prior population of student bodies. Today’s society stresses the importance of college degrees and has been a drastic increase in first generation students. Despite the fact that many students have already passed the initial barrier of applying and being admitted to college, there are many challenges these students face that non-first generation students do not experience. However, the majority of these students face risk factors in their college experience that non-first generation college students do not experience. One of the main differences I have notice is the lack of participation of first generation college students in campus activities, clubs, or organization. Campus engagement is known to enhance a student’s academic and personal development. Student’s involved in extracurricular activities learn to work, communicate, and problem solve with others. They have more developed ideas, beliefs, and opinions. They also have more self-esteem and speaking skills which will definitely help them once they graduate and enter the job market. With all of the benef...
Being a first generation college student has been my biggest struggle in life. For years, I was told to attend Allen Community College before any big changes of course I didn’t listen. For years I was told I wouldn’t last in a big university, I have been told I will be unprepared and behind. I have been told that three out of five first generations students do not complete a degree. Being told something isn’t possible is a hard thing to deal with.
I currently serve in the position of Accounting & Administration Manager at the District of Columbia College Access Program’s (DC-CAP). DC-CAP opens doors for students to the make the dream of college a reality and also creates an environment to promote successful student retention after the admissions process is complete. I truly identify with the organization’s all-inclusive approach toward student enrollment and its focus on breaking down social and economic barriers that negatively impact & influence students, parents, and communities toward achieving higher education. I have seen firsthand how efficient and effective communication and interpersonal skills are assets for all levels of
With tuition rising every year, students face the challenge paying the debt achieving a college degree comes with. “Student debt surpassed credit-card debt in June 2010 for the first time in history, rising to about $830 billion — or nearly 6 percent of the nation 's annual economic output”(Clemmitt, Marcia). Not everyone has a ton of money just laying around. Being that financial trouble is the biggest problem for students, they begin to question whether college is worth it or not. In recent years, students have taken out loans to help with expenses. Most students choose to attend a community and junior college to help minimize the debt. Even after graduating with a degree, students still face the struggle of finding a job in this economic time. For higher class families this may not be a problem to them. But for the middle class and low income families, they face tougher times being that they don 't have the financial help like higher class families do. For the middle class and low income families, it makes more sense attending a community and junior college rather than a four year university.
“College for everyone” dominates the minds of numerous Americans in the United States today. Much focus is put on the importance of a higher education in order to obtain levels of prosperity, culture, and well-being. Despite the possible truth of this idea, college education is not intended for all. Thus, although post-secondary education is generally considered to be valuable, it is unrealistic for all students to attend college due to lack of readiness, financial problems, and possible stagnant outcomes.
As a byproduct of the change in college culture, it will create a “friendlier” environment for first generation. Students need to feel safe rather than out of place. Additionally, prestigious institutions need to take initiative to create new programs that will make college a painless transition for first generation students by implementing new policies such as mentors or clubs. As many colleges and universities have not taken the initiative to help first-generation students, North Carolina State University is one of the few exceptions. As a fellow first generation college student at North Carolina State University, I have reaped many benefits from the different organizations they have around campus. In the Poole College of Management, I was assigned a professional mentor in my future line of work that made the transition into college a better experience for me. After listening to his forums, I was able to use the skills I had learnt from my parents and apply it to college and my study habits benefiting me in countless possibilities. Additionally, the sociology department at North Carolina State University has created a program that guides first-generations students throughout all four years of college making the transition as
This short digital story highlights specific barriers and challenges the majority of First Generation College Students (FGSs) experience, as well as some distinguishing qualities the majority of FGSs embody that contribute to a pathway to success.
Community colleges are, historically, known for servicing the more non-traditional population, such as adults who work full-time and individuals seeking fast-paced trade-skills, a successful enterprise (AACC, 2013). In a community college setting located within the Southern Region of Texas, there is an opportunity to study the social expectations and educational needs of Generation Z relative to their college experience compared to other identified groups of students enrolled in the institution. Generation Z accounts for less than 20% of the community college full-time enrollment (AACC, 2013). According to the Daily Nation (2016), they are described as independent, stubborn, pragmatic and always in a rush, Generation Z will challenge Community
Finally, critics fail to take into account that the current population of students is struggling to pay for college and may drop out as a result. Additionally a significant number of students transfer to a four-year college after obtaining the necessary preliminary classes but not a two year degree. Finally, the critics fail to acknowledge the high number of potential students who simply don’t think college is possible and never attempt to enroll. President Obama’s free community college plan should be a first step in the overhaul and reform of the community college educational system that would boost the success of community college students. Reforms that would address the less than ready community college student by “providing close monitoring of student progress, careful alignment of courses to transfer and job requirements, clearer and more coherent programs of study, and help for students to make better choices about what to study” (Scott-Clayton and
College can be a very stressful time in a student’s life. Researchers conducted three studies regarding the relationship between financial literacy and the completion of a degree, and if students have a harder time adapting to university than continuing -generation female students based on their current involvement with their own parents. They also measured the total amount of stress a student might have about attending university. This literature review will provide first generation male and female college students reasoning’s why they should not be hindered in graduating with a college degree compared to continuing-generation students; following with a correct support system, stress
Our society puts a large emphasis on attending college because our cultural ideology states that a person must attend college to better themselves. Higher education as a means to success has become an institutionalized norm. However, college tuitions costs are increasing continuously, making it difficult for students to afford the tremendous costs of tuition. As a result, community colleges have traditionally provided an alternative for lower income students. Tuition is much cheaper, acceptance is easier, and class schedules are very flexible. It sounds ideal to someone who works to support their family. But there is more to the story than first meets the eye. Students are running into tremendous issues while attending community colleges. In
Attending college at different times in someone’s life has its positive and negative factors. Going off to college right after high school is the traditional student, with ages being from 18-years-old to about 22-years-old when graduating with a degree. While there are also students that are more non-traditional that are 23+ years-old that go back and attend college. While being a student at The University of Northwestern Ohio for the past two years I have been in contact with many traditional and non-traditional students. I have been able to hear many stories of why non-traditional students waited to come back and why traditional students are here now right out of high school. With being in contact with these students I have seen many similarities and differences between both groups.