First-Generation College Students

Going to college has always been a tough decision to make. Especially when you are very young and do not see what tomorrow will bring. Today more and more high schoolers reject an opportunity to continue studying trying to achieve other goals or simply out of indeterminacy. Clearly, it is challenging from the financial viewpoint. But lots of college grads also struggle with studying process stress and informational overload.

Trying to find a decent dormitory or hostel or an affordable apartment to rent is another complication. Those applying to college in another city are familiar with it. Without a question, all these minor inconveniences will pay off once you start to build up your knowledge, experience and grow as a professional. The majority of hard-working graduates can confirm it. But who can tell you about it all or provide a piece of advice if none of your parents went to university, what if you are a first-generation student?

Breaking Down The Terminology.

According to paramountessays.com/, A first-generation college student is the 1st one in the family who acquires education by studying an institution of higher learning. If they have siblings who also attend college they are still regarded as 1st-gen students. The primary feature of these students is that their parents’ level of education is high school or less. Whether the parents applied but did not make it. Or entered but did not graduate their child can be a 1st-gen, even if only a mother or father attended college. The Center for Community College Student Engagement (CCCSE) at the University of Texas at Austin consider students with even one parent with a college background as non-1st-generation.

Influence Of Parent’s Education Level.

The Institute of Higher Education of the University of Georgia has conducted a study on first-generation students parents’ education situation. They used information from 2002 to examine statistics. They figured out how the level of education of each parent affects their kid. 63% of the children who identified themselves as 1st-gen-students got into college with their parents having only a high school diploma. 87% of children enrolled in college with parents of the same education level who defined themselves as non-1st-gen students. Although parents of that 87 % had no university experience their kids had other caring relatives or college community to help them out. Without a question, parents are our earliest teachers and do have a huge effect on us. But with basic assistance even from the outside of our household higher education becomes reality. A good idea based upon these statistics would be to provide school children with colleges info way in advance. There are tons of high schoolers who are capable of doing well in college but lack an explanation of the higher education system.

What Sets First-Generation Students Apart.

The interest to these undergraduates can be explained by the fact that children used to follow in their parent’s footsteps. Having been under their influence since birth kids would try to pursue their career or rely on them most of the time. Even today when young teenagers prefer to part ways with their parents’ career choice many are guided by them in some questions or dependent on them. While earning a degree they always have their family to turn to and ask for help or support. The first-generation student is pioneers prone to feeling down and lonely. But being a confident self-supporting person has become an extremely respectable feature which resulted in a growing number of first-gen students. Basically, all of the graduates will tell you that college life is a priceless experience regarding obtaining lots of information, dealing with the deadlines and sustaining a healthy relationship with professors. Technology. With 24/7 access to the Internet, they can learn from diverse people’s experiences, get the latest reviews and find the details about any college. It has become easier to be different and relies mostly on your own.

They Are Usually Older.

As any community or group separated by a common feature 1st-generation-students have some special characteristics based on statistics. They tend to be older than their college fellows. The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) reported that only 27,5% of fresh out of high school college students in 2014 had parents with no university experience. 24-29 years old students had almost 37% of first-gens amid them. The majority of 1st-generation students were 40 years old and older and comprised over 50% of this age range group. If we trace years back the parents of the latest group were to study in the post-war society. Evidently, this group of first-gens represents mature people with some accomplishments in life. Who for personal reasons decided to earn a degree.

Children Of Low-Income Families.

This feature is based on the desire of many 1st-gen kids to be more successful and wealthier than their parents. They try to perform well in school and place their career as the main priority. These kids frequently want to provide for their future offsprings and support old parents. The NCES presented results of the 2012 study regarding dependency. Turned out only 25% of dependent students are those with parents’ level of education is high school or less. The number of 1st-gens amid independent students comprised over 41%. It meant they fully sustained themselves financially. 44% of married undergraduates with dependents were first-generation ones meaning they provided for their family and kids. The biggest percentage is the group of unmarried people with dependents around 47.5% who had parents or siblings to support.

They Have More Responsibilities.

In the same study mentioned above the NCES reported that 38% of undergraduates who worked full time were first-generation students. Contrariwise, the share of unemployed students with their parents having no higher education comprised 34%. Almost 30% of part-time working college students were 1st-gens. As many of these students already work, have a family to support or even their own children they are way more busy than a regular college freshman. Many older 1st-gens confirm they want to be a role model for their offsprings, thus, they study to become a professional. As a rule, they live off campus meaning they pay rent and bills. On one side, it is quite hard to combine it all with studying but on the other side, they have more life experience and managing skills.

Types Of Colleges 1st-Gens Choose.

Based on the statistics from the early 2000s 76% of these students applied to and get accepted in public universities. 52% of those enrolled chose 2-years institutions. They studied for Associate Degree (some AA or AS). Almost 40% were accepted to the different kinds of 4-year universities earning the Bachelor Degree. The remaining 8% went to the institutions with less than 2 years of studying.

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