I Am A First Generation College Student

I want to to go to college for something that I love. When I’m done with college and have a job, I want to know that it was all worth it. My motivation isn’t my parents. My parents aren’t going to be there to make all my decisions and tell me what to do. Going to college is my ultimate decision. Secondly my ultimate motivation to go to college is for the money. I want to be able to support my future self and also my family when the time comes. Lastly I want to go to college so I can get a degree. Many jobs now a days require that you have a degree. According to the article “Even for Cashiers College Pays Off” by David Leonhardt he states, “ Education helps people do higher- skilled work, get jobs with better-paying companies or open their own businesses.” Many workers alike benefit from having a high-school diploma and a college degree. People acquire many valuable skills while in college. Either way, the skills that colleges teach, related to discipline and persistence, may be more valuable than academics. My motivation to keep going to and go to college has always been my own expectations of being able to to reach the highest point of success in doing what i want in

Throughout my teenage years, I was the embodiment of the average introvert. The pressure to succeed and become a first generation college student in my family was overwhelming, and the constant battle of not being good enough defeated me. My parents only spoke Spanish, and were unable to help me with my school assignments. As I struggled with my academics silently, my self-consciousness and insecurities grew. The fear of speaking out in public was a lingering shadow that developed more, as I grew older. Being that English was my second language, I had always felt inferior to those who spoke English as their primary language.

I am a first-generation college student. My parents never got passed high school. They were both faced with hardship and had no choice but to get a job to deal with the responsibilities of home. My dad left India at the age of 16 to build a better life for himself and my mom in America. In my household, education has always been a priority. Since my parents have felt firsthand how life is like without a degree, they made it their mission to ingrain in us a value for education like no other. However, there have been many situations in which I have found myself lost and looking for answers about college. Sadly, by being a first-generation student, my parents could not help me. Not only could they not help me, but being the first to attend college

Higher education, college, has always been seen as a no brainer for most of us. Is that because we grew up in a place of privilege and assume college is something we deserve? Or is it because we love to learn and a university is one of the best places to do such a thing? If the answer is the latter, then college is the right choice; that is, if there is a way to pay for it. If the former fits better, then it’s time to rethink what attending a university means and take a look at the alternatives. In today’s economy, college isn’t for everybody.

I am fortunate enough to have parents that can afford to send me to college, and support my choice to pursue a higher education. By attending college, I will eventually graduate with a degree and later earn a high paying career. Along with this, I have found college to be a way to discovering who I am. I have been able to move out, take over my own bills, and earn responsibility by doing so. Unfortunately, not everyone is able to attend college. Financial reasons typically hold individuals back from attending universities, and that later may affect their lives. Although I attend class daily, the true effect college will have on me in the future goes unnoticed. An education is something that is highly valued, and so important. Everyone should have the chance to have an education, but unfortunately, it does not happen. College for me, is a privilege. Therefore, I will work hard to earn my degree, and later put it to

The self is interpreted by the individual and defined differently based on that individual. He or she as their actual selves and not pretending to be someone else to gain the satisfaction of others is the self. I am a first generation college student who grew up in one of Chicago’s most impoverished and threatening neighborhoods, Cabrini Green. My siblings look at me as a mother figure and role model. I became who I am today by the influence of my parents, school, and society. In this world, I will be a successful pediatrician at a children’s hospital where there is a need for people in this profession. Living mindfully and reflectively means thinking about your actions and self evaluating. When you live mindfully, you are aware of what you are doing and the consequence of your actions. Once you have looked back on those actions, you know that everything you 've done was mindful. What helps during this process is setting goals for yourself and self evaluation every day. Losing focus of your goals or being impacted by others can hinder someone during this process. The readings this semester have definitely had an impact on my thinking. They reminded of things about the education system, the government, and society that I usually don’t think about much but does cross my mind or I remember. It has for sure taught me that you can’t believe everything you are told from the people who you are suppose to trust or protect you. Which goes back to thinking for yourself. Immanuel

First generation college students have a difficult time from the start. They may not have the guidance, backing and understanding given by families with primary understanding of secondary education. (Dynarski n. page) These students without this experienced support at home, have an increased drop-out rate.

Growing up as a child, one of my dreams was to become a doctor. I played doctor games, had a medical kit, and took care of my patients (also known as my parents). As I got older, I worked hard in school to stay on track with idea of being a doctor in the back of my mind. I faced many hardships over the years, such as taking several challenging classes or not having the free time like my friends did. When I got older I decided that maybe I didn’t want to be an actual doctor but rather a Dr. of Pharmacy. This career would allow me to continue to help others, but still achieve my childhood dream of becoming a doctor. My perseverance paid

I am the “prized possession” in my family. My elders believe that I can do no wrong, I hold all family secrets, and I’m expected to be successful. Since I was little, I always had dream of becoming a doctor. My mother would always buy me doctor accessories and when I got of age, she would ship me off every summer to a science camp. It was not until my sophomore year in college that I realized that I did not want to be a medical doctor. When I broke the news to my mother, she was disappointed but encouraged me to find something that I was interested in. Although I would not become the medical doctor my mother hoped for me to be, I knew that I would still end up helping others in

As a result of several motivational purposes, there are many driving factors to go to college that can and will impact one’s life. Before going to college, I waited 2 ½ years after I graduated high school to finally make my decision to go to college. The reason it took me so long is that I did not know what I wanted to do with my life. First, I wanted to be a probation officer, then I changed my mind to be an OBGYN, then finally I made the decision to become a nurse. I know I have a long road of schooling ahead of me, but that is okay. I have wonderful people in my life that encourage me to continue my studies. Going to college is important since it can open many opportunities to get into a better career field, it is a fun experience, and it can also start a tradition in my family.

Everyone when they were younger say what they want to be when they older right? My plan was to always go to college after high school. I choice to go to College now because it's at the right time graduating right after high school this year , might as well start college now and take no years off to get things moving quicker and hopefully get my career if I do well in college which I hope . In my opinion it's better to start soon then later. There were a few individuals in my life that continuously tried to influence me to attend college. I had several family members that were attending college, and a couple that had already graduated. Being around my family always made me think about my lifetime goals career and education wise

I want to go to college because of the chances that will present themselves in my future. These opportunities will benefit me in different aspects of my life. For instance, I will be able create a support group of lifelong friends that will be there for me during hard times, and I will gain essential knowledge that will help advance me professionally and academically. My first step is to

Many people, since I was little, pressured me into going to college. My parents didn't mind what I decided, all that mattered is what makes me happy. They would support me no matter what my heart decided to do. Over the years family members tried to persuade me into believing that without a college degree you'll never become successful. To them, college had to be a part of my future which I think is the main reason I decided that college would be for me. Ever since I was told that I started to disagree and pushed myself to realize that I wanted to prove them wrong. I can do anything I want and accomplish any goals I have as long as I set my mind to it. College isn't the only way to become successful, working can get you places you never thought possible.

Growing up I knew that I wanted to study science and explore the human body with the goal of helping people. With exploration of career options later in middle school, I realized that medicine was the path for me. My parents did not achieve Bachelor degrees and while I knew logically that they would support me, I did not have the confidence to pursue such a big dream. In high school, I became more and more involved and worked outrageously

My sixth-grade teacher once asked my class if we wanted to go to college and I replied that I did not want to. I did not want to go to college because I thought that only those that had money could go. I had decided, before my parents could even think of asking me if I wanted to go, that I would not go to college to save my parents from debt. It until my sophomore year of high school that I had decided that I did want to go to college. My involvement in the Ivy League Project and being able to tour some of the most prestigious universities and listening to the stories of those that come from a similar background to mine gave me hope that I could be successful in college.