First, a challenge that arises is being the first in their family to attend higher education. Since these students do not have parents or guardians who have neither completed a college degree nor attended college, they are at a disadvantage because they do not have the knowledge provided by their parents to share experiences of what college is like (Bradbury & Mather, 2009). Therefore, first-generation students arrive at an institution and many must navigate their path on their own without help from their parents. Another challenge first-generations students experience is remaining at their institutions through graduation. Many first-generation students are considered at risk of attrition because of this. Students who are considered at risk experience feelings of rejection and have a more difficult time adjusting to college life (Heisserer and Parette,
First, a challenge that arises is being the first in their family to attend higher education. Since these students do not have parents or guardians who have neither completed a college degree nor attended college, they are at a disadvantage because they do not have the knowledge provided by their parents to share experiences of what college is like (Bradbury & Mather, 2009). Therefore, first-generation students arrive at an institution and many must navigate their path on their own without help from their parents. Another challenge first-generations students experience is remaining at their institutions through graduation. Many first-generation students are considered at risk of attrition because of this. Students who are considered at risk experience feelings of rejection and have a more difficult time adjusting to college life (Heisserer and Parette,