And I'm going to let me just make sure I can
forward it back and forth. OK. So we're going to
go ahead and get started then right. So it's nice to meet
4
00:00:10,940 --> 00:00:13,340
everybody. And.
OK. Are we recording now verse starting. Yes. OK.
So. Hi there to all of you. First generation pirates
 We are so excited to meet you and to talk
with you. My name is Dr. Campion and I am the
advisor for the. I'm the first student
organization. And I'm also the fact the instructor
for the class called Coad 1000 specifically
designed for first gen college students. So today
I have with me members of the I'm the first
student organization I have Skyler Zachariah
Jocelyn Diamond and Kristin. And we all want to
just share some information about East Carolina
University and what we do specifically a first
generation college students. We would also like to
welcome all the parents of first generation
college students because we know this is a very
big deal for your family to have your son or
daughter come to college. We take very good care
of our first gen pirates. And so we wanted to
start with our presentation.
And that would help if it would go to the next
thing you want. OK. Hi my name is Kristen and I'm
going to be doing the adjusting. This version is
basically showing how different it is between high
school and college. You can go to the next slide
just doing its version. Studies show that students
parents do not attend or graduate college have a More
difficult time by passing to the greater academic.
You can go to the next slide.
And these are a lot of feelings that she may feel
when you're a first generation so-called student
especially being the first one coming to college.
I've felt many of these feelings worrying about
finances guilt etc.. It's very hard when you're
first adjusting especially from high school.
So do you want to talk about any of those
individually that might have been more pertinent
to you. Sure. I would definitely say feeling
different now that you're in college. My parents
didn't go to college and every time I would come
home they wouldn't really understand where I was
coming from especially school work load and also
being unfamiliar with the college and college life
aspects of college life like going to classes
spacing out my time and especially worrying about
finances. I had no clue how to do fasfa but had a
budget for courses how to budget for books. So
those were a lot of difficult things that I went
through especially being a first generation.
And then decide the main difference in high school
and college. Time management, workload, freedom and
school life balance. Those are different things
you should keep in mind when you're transferring
from high school life to college life. And I can give a
couple examples that would be a little different.
Social gatherings can definitely affect the amount
of time you have left. Especially when you have a lot of
school workload that you haven't really accounted
for. You also have a different number of classes
per day and the amount of time and class lines can
also vary. Meeting new friends and incorporating
new lifestyles also very different can also make
you feel exhausted at times because you have to
account for that as well. And especially having
good time management is really important because I
know there is a new block schedule this semester
so it's definitely something you have to keep in
mind as well. And also even though you're in
college you or your freedom is still limited
because you have to work with the demands of
different academic workloads and priorities
especially if you are in clubs.
Jocelyn you are going to talk to the students
first gens and their parents about some of the
resources on campus. Yes. Hello.
OK. it's like the main resource
you have a big one is the writing center. I mean
like any troubles with writing or writing a lab
report for any like science class they help with
skills and they can peer review them also. You can
do walk ins. I'm pretty sure but it's more
helpful if you do appointments because you can
provide information on like what you're going to
go see them for. And they can pair you with
someone who's a little bit more knowledgeable in
that on specific area. Another huge one that a lot
of us use is a pirate academic success center which
is in other words started tutoring center which is
a free resource that is available to all students.
If you're having trouble then like your main core
classes like math and things like this courses on
foreign language courses if I'm not mistaken. Oh it
went away.
You can do walk ins where they pair you with
other people from that same class. And the person
that is tutoring you is a person who has aced the
class with that professor. So they're like very
knowledgeable of the demands that professor
specifically like expects. And like how that
professor works their class like people that they
like really focus on. They also for like group
studies especially like I used to live on college hill.
And so we would meet at Gateway for people that
lived on college hill. So I would meet up there instead
of them going to West in to meet with people and they
would be like once a week from like six to seven.
And I went there went out for a chemistry organic
chemistry especially and they are very helpful.
Another resource I went to is Joyner and Laupus.
This is on the Health Science Campus. Joyner is
probably the one that is going to be using more.
And it's not only for like a space society or for
resources like they have librarians which you can
ask him any sorts of questions and they're there
to help you. You can check out materials like
laptops, cameras,
video cameras, calculators and all sorts like
at the front desk. And then the second floor has
like a lot of resources for like on projects where
you can get stuff laminated is you can even make
like buttons. You can get those little letters for
like projects and posters. And they just have way
more than like study spaces. But of course they
have like rooms where you can.
Where you can reserve either a group room so you can
study with other people or like a single room
where you can study for yourself. And yeah we can
Go to the next slide.
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00:07:23,630 --> 00:07:24,200
Excellent.
Oak's.
Some other ones are advising resources. This is
not just the academic adviser but any help with
academic progress. They help you like really
crucial information about the semester about your
GPA about your four year plan or five year plan.
They can help you make sure you like on the right
path. You know a lot of us encounter times where
we want to switch from a major to another. And
like we already been in one major for like a year
and they help see what credits transfer and likes.
And will have you on the right path and all that. Another one
is financeable in the cash office. They help with
any questions about billing and tuition help or
financial aid, fast. One questions about that and
another big one that a lot of us don't really
think about is the Counseling and Student
Development Department.
It's been forever. It's offered to help with your
personal and academic growth. I have a lot of
friends that I know just go there to vent just
about you know a day in their life not because
they're necessarily going through something but you
know it's easier sometimes to not talk to a friend
or a family member and just go vent to a stranger
and you know just tell them that you're stressed
because college is stressful and sometimes you
just need to like let it all out on someone and
they're always there to help. And another big
resource are professors and our classmates our
fellow students. Relationships with our professors
are so crucial especially a really good
relationship. They're a good resource for
knowledge especially their class if it's a hard
class. They know what they expect from students
and them just knowing your face. They know that
you're putting in that extra effort to be
successful in their class. And that always goes a
long way because they know your face. They know
your name. Like if you sit not even in front of
the class but somewhere where they can see you
like you know there's always that different
relationship between you and a professor that know
each other outside of class and someone who just
shows up to class. They're also really good for
networking and future recommendations especially
if you're looking for to go into any pre professional
field. Those recommended recommendation letters
are very very important. And if you have a
relationship with a professor they can definitely
put in a good word for you. They come very helpful
and they are needed. They as I'm trying to do
medical school and they ask for two recommendation
letters from professors that like you were taught
by. So you know those are really important and
your peers are a good resource because they are in
the same boat. As you are you know in the same
class trying to understand the same course
material you can study together. And eventually
that leads to the like becoming really good
friends. Because I've met people my freshman year
who are majoring in biology and we're taking like
a kind of the same classes. So we're put in the
same classes. Then we meet together and study
together. You know that's a good friend to rely on
especially if you're trying to major in the
same thing. You know a little on a little caveat
regarding research and any student. But in
particular as you mentioned earlier Kristen
about you know what her shows for first students.
You know there is a great there is a significant
correlation between getting to know your faculty
and being successful in their class. So you're
absolutely right. Developing that relationship is
crucial to being successful. Very good.
And of course a resource is just for us first gen.
It's our club I'm The First which is exclusively
just for first generation students in this club.
All of us are ultimately have the same goal which
is our college degree. We have similar experience
come from similar backgrounds. We help each other
navigate through our college experience. We have a
lot of opportunities to help each other with our
personal growth such as things like these where we
can be on panels share story give tips and advice.
We've had multiple opportunities to talk to
incoming freshmen like high schoolers that are
going to graduate. And we've even been great photo
reach out to middle schoolers and you know get
them thinking on the right track. Also we do
community service and especially around the
holidays we give back to the community. I know
last year we did a turkey Palloza. I'm pretty
sure what there was call where we provided for
families with a meal for Thanksgiving. And we have
recently implemented a mentor and mentee program
where we have upperclassmen paired  with
underclassman and they have like a more. Well a
less professional relationship where they can
reach out if they're worried about something
academically or personally like you know it's that
little comfort zone where it's like a peer to peer
thing relationship where we can help each other
out. I know being in this club has definitely
helped me grow personally as to speak and be
you something like this. I was a very nervous
person and now it's like a more natural thing.
I've done multiple panels and I can think on the
spot. You know it's like helpful personal growth.
And of course the things that I've talked about
are not all the resources that see you. I have
included the link for page if you would like to
join. I want everyone to join please. And thank
you. And there's also a Web site about first
generation specifically that ECU provides for
us. And yeah but that's excellent you know because
all of these listen. All our incoming pirates. This
is the organization for you as. As Jocelyn. All of
the people on the panel today. I have also gained
leadership experience through this organization
because they all hold offices in that organization.
So this presentation was put together by this this
group. We've had presentations for the celebration
for first gen's that's been held by the students.
I'm the academic advisor for that group. It is a
marvelous group of people and individuals and
resources for you. Jocelyn how many people do we
have in our student organization now. Currently
I've been getting a lot of requests. So we're
either around 60 or above. We have gotten a lot of
invitations recently but we do have around 60
members right now. And we're definitely trying to
grow. I know we just now kind of started it but
you know the bigger the better. Yes. And we've
done activities that are outside just for fun. We
do some fun activities remember when we went to
the painting peacock and we did that because you wanted to
do something fun kind of stress free. And then
we've also had guest speakers come in from around
campus. So you guys get to network and get to know
personally other people on campus which is very
important. So please do join our organization. And
we will be putting out our meeting our meeting
times and dates and things very soon. We're really
looking forward to having you join us and give us
your perspective. But also you know let us help
you get through this because each one of these
people on the panel myself included I'm a first
gen that went to East Carolina. And you know it it
really helps to have a group of people that are
like minded to help you get through it. Thank you
Jocelyn. You guys are doing so great. I love it.
Next to Zachariah and Skyler and Diamond. You guys
want to introduce this part. Who's introducing
this portion. Yes hello. My name is Zakharia
myself Scarlet and Diamond. This portion is really
gonna be dedicated to the parents concerns you may
have about your first gen student coming
to college and whether the things you can do to
support them. Could you go to the next slide
please. I certainly can. Now
the first thing I want to discuss is you may be
unable to travel and visit them and kind of
consider how you can keep in touch. So for me
personally my going to my first semester of
college we didn't necessarily have a car. For me
there like reached to Greenville. And thankfully
though my dad's job allowed him to use one of
their vehicles to help them deliver my stuff for
moving day. But for that whole semester I wasn't.
My parents weren't able to come and visit me. And
some of the things that they did to help me out
was sending care packages. They would call and
check in on me. And just those small moments of
communication really help me out throughout the
first semester. And it meant so much for me. And
that's kind of the things you can do as well. You
know what other limitations that you may have in
other situations. There are services offered by
the NSO that you could send you know packages you
can call and see them because it means a lot to us
when when our parents do those things. The next
thing is when you know first gen students come home
They have demands for every family responsibility
and kinda just concentrating on that concept. When I
came home early because of you know all the
craziness with the pandemic my parents kind of
thought it was like a vacation experience. And
they were trying to give me like certain things to
do. And I could do some of I could do some of them.
But it wasn't a level that I could do when I was
in high school and I had to talk to my parents and
all the coursework I was dealing with and
everything else I had to do. And this really goes
into the next section of asking you know your
First gen about their college experience. Now One
thing I love my parents. I was able to communicate
with them you know everything that I was doing.
Talk about kind of my experiences in college about
I'm the first and just having that moment of being
transparent where my family and honest even though
my parents have been the college they understood
the things that I was dealing with and they're
able to support me. So in going off that I kind of
want to offer on this is to actually the first gen
students a challenge when you do talk with your
parents. Some mistakes I made early was when I
would call I would say things like everything's
okay. Oh yeah I'm doing fine. Take some moments to
kind of talk about what you did throughout the day.
You know what classes are kind of giving you a
hard time. And if your parents were really means a
lot for first gens is to just listen Fully. kind of
offer that support so that you know even though we
may struggle with some incidents we know that we
have a very strong support system with us. And it
means a lot in our development going through
college. And in this last bullet here about you
know I'm not going into detail this is just a
resource for you to access so you can learn all
the safety measures. Our university is going to do
to ensure everyone's safety going on campus. So
feel feel free to access that you know read
through it and you know you'll find everything
that you need. And then coming up next Skyler and
Diamond. I kind of touched on the basics. They're
going to go into more detail on what things the
parents can do to actually support their first gen.
So Dr. Campion could you go next please. Yes.
Excellent job. Well done Skyler. So Skyler and I
are splitting this line now. So I will start on The
first three key points like Zachariah say he hit
on a last point. But like Skyler and I want to
you know get on it more like Detail. So the first
thing is Zachariah mentioned wanting for parents to
be supportive and encouraging. This is a new experience for
your child but also for you. This Is not an advantage
like students who have parents that went to
college. You know what it's about. You kind of
know what to expect. I know it's different than
when I went to college. And now how we're going to
college is so much different. But it's important
to be supportive and encouraging to your student.
It's you know it is all about transition and adjusting.
they're just trying to transition and adjust to
this new experience. So any way that you can be
supportive and encourage you will help your your
child you know at the end do what they need to do.
And also as their new life. As a student being a
student in college and being a student is two different things. 
These two things are very different in high school.
We could get by with a lot of things. We could you
know
Finesses the system a little bit. You could you could
study the night before and You probably do well.
 But in college you have to put
more time and effort into ways of just know that
your student is probably will probably be busy
with things. But just know this and try to
understand that they have a new a new way of life.
Now it's not like high school. And also provide a
listening ear. I think it's important to listen to
your students with anything. Just listen. A person
you know that they're being listened to. It helps
them to get through things differently you know
helps them to try to get in and find new ways and
new resources to get through whatever they are
trying to get through. So this is definitely
important to listen to. The students there may
feel overwhelmed or fresh or homesick or you know
this is just so much going on In college. And
he's got a different now because of COVID. So it's gonna
be definitely important for you guys to listen to
your students and to really understand what
they're going through in their experience.
Before it's before you jump in if I may.
Zachariah your microphone. Muted muted. Well yeah.
While the others are OK. Thank you. Maybe you
could mute his microphone. Got it. Thanks. I'm
fine. All right. Scroll down to the bottom of the
screen and it pops up and it'll it'll be a little
microphone on the left. Click it. So you got it.
Thank you so much Skyler Diamond. Nice job. Thank
you so much. Hey. I'm Skyler. So I'm just gonna go
over some more points that Diamond started this
out with. So Zachariah touched on this but sending
care packages as a freshman you get like a little
message from NSO whether it's through your email
or a text message. And it's like oh you have a
package. It's always exciting. It's fun to walk
over and have a nice surprise. And it was great to
get letters from my parents are like snacks and
things like that you know to have a little bit of
home back at school with you. So those were always
great pick me ups in a nice little surprise. And a
big thing is communication which Zachariah also touched
on you say like don't make your student feel like
they're on electronic leash because we are
transitioning into such a huge new part of our
life that we're not going to be able to pick up
the phone every time you call or answer You back immediately 
And that's just the reality of our new
schedules. As you mentioned you're going to be
adjusting to your class schedule. You're going to
be living with a roommate. So you guys are kind of
going to have schedules bouncing off of each other.
I'm sure you're going to get involved in clubs and
other things on campus and activities with friends.
So you have a ton on your plate. So they won't
always be able to pick up the phone and send a
text. But now that they will text you and they
will call you and when they do do provide that
listening ear like I think Zachariah mentioned because
it was nice to vent when you have a bad day or
just leave some encouraging words from your
parents. And then a big thing is when your
students return home remember that they still have
their college life with them. They're still gonna
have to work and study and get what they need done
at home. Just like they would at school. So it's really
important that they have access to a quiet area
for them to study and continue to work from home.
It's definitely not the same as high school. A lot
of weekends you spend studying and doing work.
Kids in high school a lot of the times it's like
what's the weekend like. It's free. But even when
we come home on the weekends there's still some
studying to do and you will have your free time
with your family. It is important to take the time to
make sure they know that they have a nice area to
study when they come home. And then the last thing
is just to recognize that your students have a
certain level of independence. College is a time
of independence when you learn basically a new way
of life. You're living on your own. You're taking
care of yourself in terms of resources out there
to help you and parents. You can still be
encouraging and stuff. But it's important that you
let your student take on the role and kind of
figure out who they are as a college student. I
think a big thing is letting your students try to
solve their own problems too. They're not always
going to be able to lean on someone for the
answers to everything. It's a part of growing. And
You have to figure out how to take the challenges
that you're faced with and find solutions. I think
the big thing to remember is you got them where they
are now and they're carrying over the things you
chop into this college transition. So the biggest
thing is really just be supportive and be there
when you can. But remember that it is an
independent learning and growth.
That's excellent. You guys what you know when you
think about it this is what our parents do. Well
this isn't it. This is you know what our parents
have raised us doing. These are the same kind of
behaviors that really work to help you feel good
and supported while you're away from home pursuing
your college degree. Right. Excellent job you guys
you're doing so great of course. You see the
student organization you guys are all going to
being great here and now. I was going to ask you
maybe it's your microphone. That's if you can't
text you to let you know that if you could. Thank
you. And so we just have one more. I think we just
have one more slide. Let's see. Oh yeah. OK I'm
going to promise you I'm not going to get lectury
you know. But here's the deal. These guys have
helped me with this too. They've helped me come up
with this. We've done research. We know that this
is true. There are a couple of keys to your
college success that were that I want to talk to
you about. And you'll recall I'm Dr. Campion. What
two things that really make a difference. And
there are going to be three things that really
make a difference in your college success. One is
what what is it you guys. What's the very what's a
very important thing. One of three things.
Attend class. Yes. Yes. You're paying for this
college education. You want to be there every
single day. You want to make sure that you attend
class. Right. The second thing that we've talked
about it. This is get to know your faculty members.
That is really important just like considering
where you are. And when you were in high school
you knew your teachers. Right. You knew about them.
They knew about you. They knew your names. This is
really important. So get to know your faculty
members and your advisers and staff members. It
matters. And then the third thing is this. This is
the magic formula. It's studying. I'm going to
guarantee each and every one of you that you have
never studied this much. And it's not something to
be afraid of. But here's what we know. If you
think about realistically how much time have you
studied in when you were in high school. You know
I kind of remember doing spelling words and
spelling bees kind of thing with my mom. How many
hours do you think you studied in high school.
Jocelyn.
To be honest I probably did not study for 
more than like three hours. I can definitely tell
you I did not sit down every day and study. I sit
down and study. Yeah. Like I did my homework. He
had to sit down in like study like I can tell you.
I do now. Yeah definitely. For sure. Hi Kristen. How
many hours did you study in high school. I could do the
same as Josslyn. I didn't spend nearly as many
hours I do out of class like trying to remember
the information as I do. So remember that you guys
are so cute because you know it's like you want me
to be honest. Yes. I want you to be honest. So
probably like two hours maybe. Yeah.sitting
down right. Diamond how about you. Same as like
everyone else would make two hours or so. Like I
mentioned why is this high school was a little
finesse and maybe get a 94. Maybe get a 90 95. You
know is this.
But you also learn that that's not what happens in
college right. Right. What have you got in that
car you drive. Exactly right. Zacariah how many
hours did you study in high school. Maybe three
four three four. Not too much. No not too much.
And Skyler. In high school or my school. And it's
just like oh the night before I have a test tomorrow. Or I might
Go  make some flashcards. But it was
definitely just like a night before rather than
like preparing in advance for a test. Right. Which
all of these students incoming pirates 
Every single one of its students. Go ahead
and mute your microphones for a second. All of
these students learn this formula and they either
learn it in my coad class or they learned it on
their own. Right. And so I have I told you I have
a coad class coed 1000 on Monday and Wednesday at
eleven to eleven fifty are first generation
college students only. This is part one thing I
teach you but you'll be ahead of the game now. So
it's a one one the three rule. You know for every
one credit hour you are registered for coursework.
Those are called credit hours. You're expected if
you want to be successful just study three hours
outside of class. So if you do the math which
we've done for you normally I have you guys do
this with me. But it's 15 credit hours is an
average course load for per semester. Then you
multiply that times three. That's forty five hours
outside of class of studying. And then you add
back in the 15 hours of class and that makes your
workweek 60 hours. Now when I do this presentation
in this or summer orientations live and I'm
talking to your parents and I say to your parents
and I ask your parents how many hours do you study
during high school and they all say the same thing.
This group of students said you know but when I
tell them you're going to work about 60 hours a
week and you're going to work like your parents is
what it's going to be like if you want to be
successful. This doesn't mean that you can't have
fun. You can't it doesn't mean you can't socialize.
It means you have to prioritize. It means you have
to get really good at balancing that work load and
freedom which we talked about in previous slide.
Right. It becomes a balancing thing. So sometimes
you negotiate with yourself on that. I'm going to
do this so that I can do that. So I'm going to go
to the football game on Saturday. So that means I
got to get all my homework done before because I
know that I want to go to the football game and I
want to have fun at the game. And I do not want to
worry about your classwork because you will worry
about your classwork if it's not done. I guarantee
you that will stress you out. So the magic the
magic formula we wanted to share with you today is
really take this seriously. This is something
that's going to be very different. You're going to
have classes on Monday Wednesday Friday. You're going
to have online classes. You're going to have
classes for eight weeks. You're going to have
classes for 16 or 15 weeks. You know you're going
to have a lot of different variables to manage.
And we are all here to help you do that. Your
academic advisor will help you. We do a scheduling
activity in my class so that you can get used to
them. One of the things I'm going to ask you to do
when you come before you pack up to come to
college is go go ahead and buy yourself a planner.
All of these people have planners whether it's on
this. It can be on your phone if you actually use
it. And you're very good at keeping up with it you
know and updating it. You can use a paper one. You
can use a monthly one whatever you like. But I'm
going to tell you use a planner. Bring that with
you and begin to learn how to use that and manage
your time. Because now it's not just about going
to college or school. Right. You're going to have
to manage doing your laundry. You're going to have
to manage going to getting something to eat. And
along with that you're going to have to manage you
know hanging out with your friends. You're going
to have to manage maybe a job. And that's in
combination with all of those things. So we really
have to look at what you know what you can do. We
have a finite amount of time and we have a lot of
good resources and advice to help you be
successful. So that's our presentation. What I'd
like to do is I'm going to stop sharing my screen
and we still have a little bit of time. I'm not
sure if if people are in here now and have
questions for us.
Let's see. But what. What I'd like to. What I
really like to say to all of you who are here in
attendance with us is we are just so very very
glad to see you. And we're we're also excited
about you coming back. And and we get to meet you
in person. Are there things you know we appreciate
you listening to us and accessing our presentation.
Please know that you can contact us anytime. What
I'll do if you know the group is OK. What I would
do is I'll make another slide at the end and I'll
just put our emails. You guys cool with that. And
that way if anybody has any questions they can
contact you directly and me and we can you know
help them even leading up to our August 10th start.
How does that sound.
So would you guys everything you can on mute now
because we're not presenting now we're just
chatting. So we still have you know 20 minutes. Is
there anything you know that you guys would
specifically think about. We ask me that question.
We asked our question Dr. Campion friends. And
given she was why some of the students choose to
attend ECU. So I can answer that. OK. All right. I
know I was listening. I'm from Raleigh and I was
looking at a bunch of schools in North Carolina. And I
just came to see you not thinking like I'll go
here and maybe I will but I just fell in love with
the campus and the community of people. It was
very welcoming when I came out. Still big a large
university campus. I was just a piece of foam
because it's small enough or you could walk free
with your constantly. Welcome back friends to say
nothing of your face when you get to know a lot of
people. And I really just chose it because it felt
like a community. I don't know anybody else. Yeah
I could feel the same I would say that issue is a
big campus but it has like a small campus mentality
where we're so tight knit and everyone can relate
to each other really easily and see your friends
when you're walking to Campus. And the campus is
beautiful is what I like.
I like you say I love Greenville and I know sometimes I get the 
Question Why do you go to ECU out of all
The places to chose from. I should just stay home. But initially like
everyone else said. I feel in love with the campus even though I
am from here. ECU is my home away from home
type thing like. And then I was an intended nursing
at first and you know they have a great nursing
school. But like Jocylyn you mentioned sometimes we
change. I'm ended up changing my majors. But at the
same time I  still do like what ECU is about and what it offers. And also
I've always wanted a college experience like I
said. So it's a home away from home
Another is the diversity that ECU has is huge.
There's clubs for everything. And when I mean
everything I mean everything like video game clubs.
Clubs just based on my background and ethnicity
while I cannot speak. ethnic groups. I know I'm
part of a group that's like just for Hispanics and
we meet up and we Kamala's we have like Hispanic
meetings where we play like Hispanic games.
We have closed based on like what you're trying to
major in in like they're very accepting like even
if you're not pursuing what like what they're club
centric like they will always welcome you with
open arms. We have just the diversity is really
huge here. And everyone's so nice and welcoming.
You know it's definitely one of the biggest
reasons that I. Because ECU was not my dream
school my dream school was Wilmington and it's not
that I didn't get in. But like touring ECU it's
just a very different atmosphere that you walk
into. Like Diamond said it's a home away from home.
And I live three hours away. So you know that's
definitely something I looked into being
comfortable.
I had the nice pleasure of kind of been exposed to
East Carolina University early back in high school. They
had like they have competitions and I would go
there and just touring the campus and seeing just
the overall. I guess you can see them. This is
some place that I could see myself going. And you
know I kind of like the clubs and everything. I
love it because it's it really brings in that
message of community that you really can't do life
alone. Kind of the biggest mistake I made was
thinking that I needed to go to college. I just
focused and kind of just do my own thing. But a
lot of I heard of one person. Tell me that you
want to show future. Show me your friends. So the 
reason kind of. I joined he was the community aspect
and the friends that I've met here from I am. The first has
really helped contribute to my growth as not only
as a student but a person in general. So I love this college 
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00:40:35,040 --> 00:40:35,770
That's so exciting you know to hear it's exciting
for us to hear that because as you know faculty
and staff it's it's a wonderful place to work to
you know just from that perspective. I mean from
my professional expect expectations. It's a
wonderful place to work and be in just the same
way you guys feel. This first gen students. You
really need to feel comfortable. You know where
you're going to go to study right and learn and
you guys all mentioned it felt like home. It felt
comfortable. It was beautiful. It was welcoming. I
mean it's an environment. And you know that
environment doesn't just happen. I mean our
community makes that happen. You know our
community drives that. I mean our whole entire
community. So it's really a wonderful place to
pursue your educational goals. There are so many
amazing degree programs and you know job placement
after. Right. Which you guys are all getting close
to. Yes.
I think it's important to to remember that at
first like that transition to some people have it like
instantly and some people it takes a little bit of
time. But you find your community and you will
find your group kind of like your natural fit in
that it does take time. I know I was super
homesick my first few weeks until you established
Your community. And the groups that make it feel
like home. So don't be afraid to put yourself out
there and join clubs  to figure out where
your place is on campus. Yeah I would say don't be
afraid. I like I said don't be afraid to put
Yourself out there and  be uncomfortable because being uncomfortable
773
00:42:28,670 --> 00:42:33,860,774
Sometimes helps you grow.
00:42:33,890 --> 00:42:37,570
Like a lot of say you've been saying even being in this org
me from high school probably would not have know
you know like you know like joined this org or do as much as I do
777
00:42:47,630 --> 00:42:51,170
I would do it you know so. And it's overall not
just with this org also connecting with other people
and you know doing other things like volunteering
or being admissions or wearing Purple ECU
something. You know they just use help to grow
overall.
That's excellent. How how would you guys. What
would what how would you advise its incoming class
and getting to know their professors you know in
high school. And you always just know the teachers.
I mean you've been going for you know a long time
or you have siblings maybe that have are cousins
or whoever you know. But what would you recommend
to people to know how they should get to know
their. I would say take advantage of office hours.
Don't take hours for granted. They are open for
office and go in there. Even if you don't
need help or you think you just got to get.
795
00:43:51,600 --> 00:43:54,670
date they they take pride in it and it will help them get to know you
796
00:43:54,680 --> 00:43:58,740
And every little bit counts. You might
struggle and might need it just because you made
the effort to get.They will work with you
Bounce off of that. You really don't be afraid to go
To office hours even if you just want to
introduce yourself. You're going to be in larger
classes. You're gonna be in online classes. Now
COVID stuff but there's still going to 
Be office hours where you can connect through Webex
like this with your professor
or actually go one on one and just taking the
effort and showing them that you want to meet them
and get to know them. That really shows that you
care and you're compassionate about their class.
And forming those relationships in the end will
really help you in the long run. You have someone
out there to support to encourage you and help you.
And then that is the people that you want to write
your recommendations because they truly know who
you are as a student in and out of the classroom.
I know before when we had most of our classes like
in person. A lot of people. After the first day of
class will go up to the professor and introduce
themselves and be like hey like I'm Jocelyn you
know I'll be in your class. I just wanted to
introduce myself. And that gives them a knowledge
that you know you're like interested like you want
to be successful. You want them to know who you
are. And I can tell you for myself I'm a I don't
seem like a very timid person like when it comes
to professors just because they like they know
what they're talking about. I am definitely not
one to just like go up there and be like hi you know.
Hello how are you doing. I'm actually Doctors
Campion's class an assignment where we had to meet
with professors and she challenged us to meet with
like the ones we were more intimidated with like
less comfortable with. And that was actually what
kind of helped me realize that like they're just
another human being like in class. Yeah they seemed
stern because he know they are the professor 
like they have all these students and everything.
But at the end of the day they're very nice people.
I had a professor. She was one of the most
strictest professor I've ever had. And I met up
with her because I had an assignment to fulfill
and she was the sweetest person ever. And it's
like you really don't know that unless you go meet
with them and she's in class she's like you know
like this is it. This is like A B C and D. But
like if you go there she met up with her in her
office hours. She really like explained everything
in depth to the point where like I was like wow
like I really needed that. And like she seemed
scary. She wasn't like you know you definitely see
another side of them. And you know they understand
that we have personal lives and everything because
they did in doing you know things happen in life.
And you just speaking of them sometimes I know
professors I like very harsh like it's do on this
day. No later you're like no extensions. But like
if you speak to them and tell them that like you
know if you have something going on they will work
with you. They understand that we're college
students we're struggling. We have a life outside
and you know so definitely a talking to them. Letting them
Know is like huge.
I saw it. Go ahead. Sorry. I saw the question but
I couldn't find it. But it said being a first gen
that you see you always one thing that it taught
you. I believe. I'm sorry. I can't find it again.
Yeah. It says it's from is another question that
says what is one thing being a first generation.
And you see you it's taught you. That's a great
question. I can't see those. I can only see the
first one from Zaria. you have to click like little
chat icon. Oh it's in the chat. I was in the Q and
A.. Sorry. I would say being independent because
I've had to learn how to do things on my own like
fill out paperwork on your own. Learn how to even
navigate school on your own. How did you figure
out your own study habits. I think that's like a
really important thing is to be independent
because your your parents are there for you. But
also they don't understand firsthand how you're
navigating especially. It taught me how to be very
independent through school or just very
independent. I think it's bad for me. Is that yes
you have to be independent but don't be afraid to
use the resources around you. I know my freshman
year I was in a chemistry class and it was
challenging and I kept trying to want to be independent
and figure it out on my end but recognizing that
there are some there that can help me to succeed
better. So like for example I use tutoring center
and I found a great tutor I work in that helped me
succeed. So it is having a balance between yes
you're independent now but don't forget that you
have all the full resources and support systems
there to help you. And I will say it's taught me
all of what everyone does. But it's something that
I hold dear to my heart. I take pride in because I'm
very family oriented. And I'm the first in
my family. But when times where I have them overwhelmed 
 I've always had it in
the back of my head. I'm not only doing this for
myself when I'm doing this for my family too
because I have you know younger siblings and you
know people that's looking up to me. So I don't
want to let them down. So I just hold it deep dear
to my heart. This is something that I need to
do.
For me personally what has taught me is not being
afraid to take that leap of getting involved. I'm
very thankful that I responded back to the e-mail
that Dr. Campion sent me in spring
semester about starting up an organization first
generation college students. My first reaction was
like oh my goodness. What organization. Because
during a time period I thought that it can't be
and has never really been that involved in clubs.
I didn't have a whole lot of experience but I'm so
thankful that I just made that intentional
decision to be a part to stay committed and to
work alongside all these great people and being
comfortable which is speaking and express myself
to other people. And that's kind of one thing that
it's taught me is I don't be afraid to make that
leap you know take a chance to join organizations
and kind of go out and talk to your professors
joint events that are that they have for your
major you know do go to those things because
they're very helpful for you.
And now I'll just say you know what I mean because
I told you I was a first gen to here at East
Carolina University I was a music major. I lived
in Clement residence hall and I'm from the Outer
Banks of North Carolina. You know it was a lot to
come to college and leave the island and come here.
I was frightened and I was you know worried. And I
there at that time you know no cell phones. Right.
And so I couldn't. And a phone call costs money.
Right. And so I waited on tables to put myself
through college. And I didn't have the extra money
to spend on phone calls. But but the one
thing that being a first generation student taught
me was my own tenacity my own resolve my own
ability to stick with it. And you know and and
honestly it also propelled me into lifelong
learning. It you know so like an undergraduate
degree wasn't going to be enough anymore. Right.
So it made you know it gave me that push to you
know go and pursue my MBA and my PHD at Purdue
University. And you know and that that's what it
did. It just gives you that knowledge that
self-confidence. It helps you understand who you
are. And being a first gen is a really really cool
thing. We don't want you to think it's a scary
thing. It's a very cool thing to be a first gen
and navigating that path for your family. You're
the first in the whole family to do it man. You
know and there's something about that while that
has like all of these doll um all of this group is
talked about the mantle of responsibility. That
means whether for you know siblings or not letting
your parents down and those things you're not
going to let them down first of all. But you are
you know you are the one that's kind of navigating
the entire family. And so you know it's amazing.
It's an amazing thing to be a first gen at East
Carolina University. We are very proud of you. We
are so excited to work with you. All of our
students. I mean we we really value our students
here at this university. And this student
organization and this group of young people they
have so much knowledge to share with you and help
you. We look forward to meeting all of you when
you come. Even if our meetings are online we will
make sure that we get to know you. We'll get you
know will get mentors assigned. Right Guys. We will
get mentors for everybody who will. You know we've
got more upper class people now to be assigned.
And you know and we can help you navigate this.
You're not on your own but it will take work from
you to do it.
Does anybody else have other.
Questions.
Or anything else you can think of that we need to
lead people with.
Natalie has a comment to all of you guys in the
chat. Which is about being the first female from
this generation and past generations. That's
amazing. Right. That's another amazing 
accomplishment.
Well we would like to just thank you all for
joining us. We really appreciate your time. We
will add a slide if it's okay with you.
We'll do another slide and add that contact information. 
 Will that be good. And then
you know we're always available. You know how to
get in touch with us. Anybody contact you. Yeah
definitely. Thanks for all of your insight. It was
really really a good session today. And I know
there are others that are going to choose to join
us on the YouTube when they go back to look at it
or really have a lot of information. So thank you
so much. And we will work on captioning this and
getting it up to the YouTube channel. Give us a
couple of days. It will take a couple days for us
to get that captioning done and then it'll be
posted on the YouTube channel. And then if you
want to continue to join us for our ECU Life series
tomorrow we will have Title nine and we OED and
that you see Marching Pirates and those will both
be on WebEx. And you can access the links from our
page. So thanks to all of you for joining us today.
We look forward to seeing you again soon. Thank
you. Thank you. Bye guys. 
