The moment first generation students walk across the stage, receive their diploma, and shake the hand of the university president is the moment that they have proven every sacrifice done by their parents has been worth it, have proven the statistics wrong, and have inspired other siblings to accomplish their dreams. Graduation is the event many, if not all, first generation students keep on their back of their minds as one of the milestones they must accomplish as they complete their undergraduate careers. However, reaching graduation is not an easy task for any first-generation student. It comes with many obstacles that sometimes appear to be almost impossible to achieve. Therefore, the moment that student becomes aware that he or she will
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According to the college board website, first generation students are, “more likely to delay college entry, need remedial coursework, and drop out of college” (Balemian and Feng). If I would have listened to this statistic, I would not be attending college and be part of the deans list. College board also says first generation students are less likely to have higher educational expectations than others (Balemian and Feng). My mother did not go to college; however, it was always understood that no matter what, I would attend college. Therefore, my grades needed to be good, not only so I could get accepted into a university, but so I could receive a scholarship, and help pay for my education. With that being said, I would say the education expectations that were put on me were quite high. By not letting the statistics define a first generation student, he or she is helping disappear the perspective society holds on the first generation group. He or she is helping others have the confidence to attend college without having something tell them that because they belong to a certain group, they are less likely to succeed. Those statistics, that instead of motivating students oppress them into an idea that has already been build for them, are completely forgotten at the moment the student succeeds and
According to the college board website, first generation students are, “more likely to delay college entry, need remedial coursework, and drop out of college” (Balemian and Feng). If I would have listened to this statistic, I would not be attending college and be part of the deans list. College board also says first generation students are less likely to have higher educational expectations than others (Balemian and Feng). My mother did not go to college; however, it was always understood that no matter what, I would attend college. Therefore, my grades needed to be good, not only so I could get accepted into a university, but so I could receive a scholarship, and help pay for my education. With that being said, I would say the education expectations that were put on me were quite high. By not letting the statistics define a first generation student, he or she is helping disappear the perspective society holds on the first generation group. He or she is helping others have the confidence to attend college without having something tell them that because they belong to a certain group, they are less likely to succeed. Those statistics, that instead of motivating students oppress them into an idea that has already been build for them, are completely forgotten at the moment the student succeeds and