#imfirst

Top 6 things that have impacted my life as a First Generation College Student

It’s First Gen Friday! I will be sharing my college experience with you all and I hope you enjoy!

Note: I got this idea from another first generation advocate (Thanks, Yolanda if you are reading this!)

Deciding to take the next step towards my higher education has impacted my life in ways that have changed my life for the better. Although it has challenged me in every way possible, it helped me grow. There are many aspects of college that has changed my life, but there are specifically 6 things that have greatly shaped my college experience into what it is now.

1. My Second Family - There have been hundreds of people I have met in the short amount of time I have been in college, but a small group of that hundred have become my family. I was lucky to have found the University of Arizona's Filipino American Student Association (FASA). FASA has made me feel at home from the moment I met them. Being Filipino-American, I missed the culture I was always around when I was living at home, but meeting this club has exposed me to the rich Filipino culture again. I have met some of the brightest students who encourage me towards my educational goals and I have met some of the most down to earth and supportive people who have become my life-long best friends. Finding my niche has been a huge factor in shaping my college experience. If you're reading this, I love you all even though I have been MIA lately due to all of the overload of extracurricular activities I have taken under my belt.

2. The Infamous Miss America Organization - Where does one even begin.. I never understood the love people had for this organization until I became actively involved in it. This organization prides themselves in Style, Scholarship, Service, and Success. (Which happen to represent the four points of the crown). These four aspects make up the foundation of what the Miss America Organization embodies. The organization has grown to be a huge part of my life. Everyday I strive to be a woman who embodies all that a Miss America titleholder should be. This lead me to further understand the importance of my education. The Miss America Organization is one of the word's largest scholarship providers for young women and I am blessed to have gained their assistance in contributing to the funds of my college education. I look forward to furthering my journey through this amazing non-profit organization.

3. Moving Out of the House - Boy, was this a scary thing for me to do. I have been living with my family for 18 years straight and now I had to ultimately live on my own?! I was terrified of doing this. During my first year of college I lived in a dorm on campus and for my second year I lived in an apartment with my best friend. I found myself driving back almost every weekend because of how home sick I was, but let me tell you now, this is probably one of the best decisions I have made during my college career so far. I grew out of my comfort zone. I started cooking, cleaning more, using handy-man tools, and so much more. Moving away has made me more mature, stronger, and independent.

4. Preparing for Nursing School - I swear I have an emotional breakdown about Nursing school once a week. College has been a whirlwind for me. All the studying, class lectures, and endless homework has consumed my life. At the end of the day, I am actually thankful for all of the stress and hardships I have endured and will endure. The dedication and all of the hard work I have put into making it into nursing school will only make that entry letter to the BSN program that much sweeter. This experience has made me realize the best things in life are not just handed to you. There are the things you have to work really hard for. Pre-nursing has taught me discipline and the true meaning of hard work.

5. Supporting The Shine Project - I heard about The Shine Project through a friend last year (I have a separate blog post all about The Shine Project, so I will spare you the description). The Shine Project supports students just like me. It was eye opening to hear about these student's stories and to realize how similar it was to mine as far as being a first generation college student. Supporting this organization has opened up so many opportunities for me and has made me realize how much of a gift and honor it truly is to be a first generation college student. I used to be embarrassed about it and in ways frustrated about being first generation, but through this organization I learned to embrace being the first person in my family to graduate from college. I have come to realize how much of a privilege it is. I am a proud first generation college student.

6. Gamma Beta Phi Honors Society - I was offered membership to this honors society in the beginning of my sophomore year. I was ecstatic to even have the credentials to qualify for this honors society. I have been part of honors societies before, but this one is my favorite. Gamma Beta Phi (GBP) does not just focus on academics, but they have a heavy focus on service. Although I have always been a Philanthropist ever since I could remember, GBP has introduced me to a variety of volunteer experiences. Being part of this honors society has kept me actively involved within my college community and has kept me in check as far as maintaining my grades.

My first day at SMU was exciting and an open door into what I knew would be my way out of the negative Latina statistics. As an 18-year-old I didn’t know much and I didn’t have much. Except, I knew I had always had the support of my parents. Neither of them elementary graduates, were now able to be paid off for their struggles through my future endeavors. As they dropped me off they helped me move into my dorm and I didn’t have much with me; a blanket, sheets, towels and my clothing. I wasn’t excited about furnishing my dorm, I was excited about pursuing the life my parents never had the opportunity to pursue. Four and half years later I get to write this from my office in Washington, D.C. and I get to stop dreaming about the possibilities of a post-grad degree and put it to work instead. The possibilities are endless and YOU can achieve it if you want it badly enough. Share your story about being the first to attend college. #ImFirst