Transitioning To College Essay

With the high demand for students to obtain a college degree, the majority of society assumes high school seniors should make college the next step in their lives. However, going to college and actually completing the journey is much easier said than done. Many factors such as the price of tuition, the increased competition for scholarships and admission, and the level of support and encouragement one has affect those "college times" in a person 's life. An aspect of this journey that really stands out to me is the use of programs that aid first-generation college students. From the financial aid to the programs ' mentoring benefits, these programs can make a huge difference in the lives of so many people hoping to obtain the education they …show more content…
The counselors are responsible for many things in the lives of those students. The role of a 'To and Through ' program counselor involves duties over the course of several high school years that include being encouraging, being a support system, providing the student with college preparatory resources, helping them academically and much more. The counselors take on what is considered a "mentor" position. Transitioning to college can be hard for just about anyone, but to a first-generation college student who does not have a college graduate in their immediate family to look to for experienced advice and resources, it is even more complicated. Many students get to start college, but never finish. Also, many plan on attending an education institution, but those plans fall through the cracks due to numerous reasons. In the above-mentioned article regarding the 'To and Through ' program, a statistic given by the state department of education from a six-month check up showed that out of the graduating classes of 2014 within St. Louis Public Schools, 27 percent of students who had planned to obtain some type of higher education or training were no longer doing