What Is a First-Generation College Student?

What Is a First-Generation College Student?

If you mingle around campus talking to the students there, you’ll probably find that many are considered first-generation college students. A first-generation college student is the first in their immediate family to attend college. According to the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA), a whopping 56% of incoming college freshmen in the United States have parents who don’t have bachelor’s degrees!

A growing number of college students make it into this category, forging a new educational path for themselves that stretches beyond high school. While college was once exclusive to the wealthy and well-connected, enrollment over the past century has risen tremendously. According to the Lumina Foundation, over half of U.S. adults had a bachelor’s degree in 2022, compared to just 7.7% in 1960.

Characteristics of First-Generation College Students

First-generation college students may share one thing in common, but they don’t all fit into one neat category. Many are traditionally aged undergraduate students between 18 and 24, while others are older adults—some of whom may even have kids of their own.

Some were encouraged to enroll by a trusted teacher or guidance counselor. Others have been in the workplace for a little while and want a degree to get a promotion, gain new knowledge relevant to their field, or transition into a higher-paying industry.

Regardless, these are driven, ambitious students who have beaten the odds and are working to get a degree and achieve greater success in life. Being the first to attend college comes with its own set of unique challenges; first-gen students lack the knowledge that comes with their parents’ experience and as a result, they are often less prepared for college than their peers. Enrollment is just the first step in a long, exciting, and often unpredictable higher ed journey.

Starting College as a First-Generation Student

First-generation college students are trailblazers and pioneers. If you’re a first-gen student and you’re just beginning your college career, you’re probably feeling new pressure to succeed in an unfamiliar environment. But just because you’re newer to college doesn’t mean you’re necessarily at a disadvantage. Think about how far you’ve already come, just by earning a college acceptance!

Most universities have a wide range of resources to help you adjust to college and find your place once you’ve taken the big step of committing. If you’re an on-campus student, you’ll learn more about your university’s values, get an assigned residence hall, register for classes, explore your dining options, and discover all the activities available to help you form valuable friendships and feel a greater sense of community. As you’re just beginning your college career and settling into college life, let the people around you know that you’re a first-generation college student. Understanding your background makes it easier for them to direct you to resources and relate to you if they themselves are or were a first-gen student.

Succeeding as a First-Generation College Student

What can you do to succeed as a first-generation college student? Lots, beginning with reminding yourself that success begins with believing in yourself. With so many first-generation students just beginning college themselves, you are far from alone.

Take advantage of free workshops and seminars designed to help students like you learn more about college, navigate the financial aid process, and adjust to the experience. In addition, use your university’s advising services and consider meeting with an advisor on a regular basis to ensure that you’re on track academically. Your advisor can help you register for classes, adjust your schedule, and increase your overall confidence.
Seek academic support early and consider connecting with faculty members. Professors have office hours that allow you to meet with them to discuss the lecture material and get clarification on topics you don’t understand.

Outside of class, you can follow your university’s social media pages to keep up to date with what’s going on around campus and find what you’re passionate about by getting involved with your campus.

Finding Support as a First-Generation College Student

For additional support, look for student organizations that cater to first-generation college students. Joining a club or group for other first-gen students can help you find support among your peers and develop a sense of pride in your identity and accomplishments. It can also help you become more resilient and confident. Academic clubs and study groups can make it easier for you to improve your study skills and better understand the material in more difficult classes.

Lower your stress by making time for fun activities outside of class and seeking mental health support through your university if needed. Using the resources available to you as a first-gen student can help you not only get through college but truly thrive.
Regent University is one of the fastest-growing, most academically rigorous Christian universities in America. As such, we strive to ensure that the college experience is inclusive of all backgrounds, including first-generation college students.