First-gen students are typically defined as the first person in a family to attend a college or 4-year university (in the United States). First-gen students are diverse in terms of race, ethnicity, age, and socioeconomic status. In 2016, approximately 13% of students at University of Michigan were classified as first-gen. Find more information about UM First Generation Students HERE.
- Common Strengths
- Resilience
- Autonomy to create your own path
- Goal-setting
- Learning quickly
- Common Challenges
- Academics
- Financial instability
- Mental health stressors
- College adjustment
- Navigating campus
- Transitioning from school to home life
- Dealing with family expectations and pressure
- Common Emotions and Reactions
- Excitement about meeting new people and pursuing a career they are interested in
- Anxiety about not being successful, falling behind, money, and grades
- Pride in being the first in the family to attend college
- Sense of responsibility to succeed to be a role model for siblings, family, friends, and/or the community
- New Experiences/Exploration on-campus both in and outside of the classroom (e.g., clubs, social events, etc.)
- Embarrassment about lack of knowledge related to navigating college or having access to fewer resources than classmates
- Shame around feeling like they don’t belong
- Guilt for leaving family and friends behind
- Confusion related to registering for classes, speaking to professors and advisors, finding a job, preparing for courses, etc.
- Excluded from social events or specific opportunities due to limited financial resources or lack of awareness about various opportunities
- Identity shifts in terms of social class/socioeconomic status or student to professional
- Apprehensive about the future
- Frustration at the lack of awareness by peers, staff, and faculty about the first generation college student experience
- Campus Resources
- First @ Umich
- CAPS - mental-health related services
- University Health Service - for health-related needs
- LSA Advising - schedule an appointment with an advisor if you’re an LSA student
- CSP
- Office of Financial Aid - learn and find more scholarship opportunities
- EnginFirst - information for first-gen Engineering students
- First Gen UM Facebook page
- OAMI
- Services for Students with Disabilities
- What if you need help?
- Seek Clinical Services - schedule an initial consultation with a CAPS counselor
- Find a Mentor/Support Group - reach out to someone you trust such as your friends, peers, coaches, professors, high-school teachers, and so on
- Contact Your Advisor - gain study & time management skills, and stay on track for graduation
- Build Relationships With Your Professors - stop by their office hours to introduce yourself. Sometimes it can be intimidating to talk with professors to let them know you need help. This video can provide some helpful tips
- How to talk to your family.
- First-gen students may experience difficulties gaining adequate support from their family members throughout the duration of college because their parents or siblings are not acquainted with higher education. Although you know your family best, we have some recommendations.
- Be open and honest when communicating
- Be patient
- Set goals with your parents/family and check in frequently
- Invest your family in your experiences through exposure, such as sharing information about what you’re learning in classes and on-campus activities you’re participating in
- First-gen students may experience difficulties gaining adequate support from their family members throughout the duration of college because their parents or siblings are not acquainted with higher education. Although you know your family best, we have some recommendations.