Hello, my name is Chanara Andrews. I'm a
sophomore English major and being a
first-gen means learning that every
opportunity isn't your opportunity. When
I came to Spelman I was overwhelmed with
all the great opportunities that were
here and the things that there were to
do and I thought that I needed to pursue
all of those things, but through this
program and through the support system
that I have I've learned that you don't
have to pursue everything. Pursue what you
love and everything else will fall into
place.
My name is Charlie Turner I'm a
sophomore religious studies major from
Pensacola, Florida. Being a first-gen
means finding a great support system once you
come to college because even
though you're here for the first time,
in a new environment it's great to have
like-minded friends to help you move
along. When I first got here my
friends really encouraged me, because
they weren't first-generation college
students, but they really encouraged me and
um
showed me how important it was to be first.
So as a first generation college student,
my mom always taught me 'it's important
to know where you came from in order to
know where you're going,' so basically
meaning that no matter how far you get
in life remember where you came from in
your humble beginnings. So personally, I
came from a first-generation household
where my parents didn't have a lot of
money. So basically a lot of what I was
learning was from this one person and
she didn't have that experience of
college, but she always knew what I
needed and that was
education. So, I strived as hard as I
could to be the best I could be. I wasn't
trying to be perfect because I'm
imperfect in this imperfect world so I
think that's what a lot of people need
to remember is that you may not
always win everything, get the
scholarship, get into the program, but as
long as you try and try and just be the
best you can possibly be you will be
successful as a first-generation college
student. Also knowing that I'm having a
peer college experience. And what I mean
by that is knowing that I'm making my
decisions for me not because someone
else did it. So definitely that's one of
the advantages, and also advice I would
give to other first-gens is to just
listen to your parents. Even when you are
feeling overwhelmed, let them know how
you're doing because they're just as
concerned and worried as you are. So just
stay in contact with them letting them
know how you're doing and letting them
know when you feel overwhelmed so that
way they know when to back off or want
to give you support. One of my
experiences being a first-gen is
not having my parents understand some
of my needs, but instead I found
resources and support on campus and that
helped me navigate through school.
Being a first-gen, you learned that
there are some things that only other
first-gens will only understand about your
college experience. Sometimes your family
won't get it and sometimes your other
friends won't get it, but building a
network of other first-generation
students really
helps you get along the way.
Hi everyone! My name is Winter Beaton.
I'm a junior biology major from Savannah,
Georgia. As a first-gen, I will always
strive to cross the valley of doubt.
As a first-gen
I will always strive to .
cross the valley of doubt by the bridge of courage. As a first-gen
I will always strive across the valley of
doubt by the bridge of courage. I know I
will succeed to see because I am confident. I know
I will succeed because I am confident,
determined, and a visionary. Because I am confident, determined, and a visionary
I am first!
