9 Tip For First-Generation College Students
There are striking similarities between a successful business proposal and a successful college application. Students feel an unbridled amount of excitement when they get selected in their college of dreams, similar to what business people experience when their business proposal writing endeavors have successfully landed them a new sponsor.
The anticipation, joy, anxiety and ecstasy get amplified a thousand times when you are a first-generation college student. Being the first in their family to attend higher education, expectations and emotions often run high and can be stressful for a pupil.
9 Tips For Thriving College For First-Generation College Students
Lack of familiarity with higher avenues o education and associated culture often pose some challenges to first-generation college students. Studies show that 89 percent of first-generation students from low-income families quit college within six years without a degree. These students must overcome all barriers and inhibitions to realize their ambitions and meet their expectations.
The following tips contain some potent advice from some reputed academic institutions.
- Seek Proper Academic Support ASAP
The lack of a proper family support system is a significant handicap and can seem more prominent during stressful times. Thus, first-generation graduates emphasize seeking, locating and availing good academic support.
- Discuss concepts, topics and any doubts with our professor. Request and cajole them for information and knowledge. Having a professor of your college as a mentor can be a huge advantage.
- Look for tutorial and academic writing services for help with coursework, assignments and projects.
- Many colleges and universities have various support services (many of them government-sponsored),in the form of special classes, presentations and seminars, conducted by professors and head of departments.
There is no shame in asking for help when you need it the most. Go ahead and seek out the best possible assistance for the best results.
- Mingle With The Right Crowd
Good friends can provide much-needed emotional support during tough times and also act as the perfect studying partner.
- Find your team. Chat up and start connecting with like-minded individuals. Talk and mix with people who share common goals with you and are there to excel.
- Join or develop your close-knit group where you feel comfortable about discussing different matters.
Remember to be wary of self-centred, egotistic and malicious persons. Do not judge from their outer appearances or through short interactions.
- Accept Yourself For What You Are and Strive To Improve
There is no harm or shame in accepting that you are the first in your family to get enrolled in a college. Ignore all naysayers and show everyone your true potential.
- If you have the intellect, the hunger, and the motivation to succeed, no one can stop you from excelling.
- Do not let false notions, negative opinions or narrow judgments hinder your learning process. You have worked hard and deserve to be here.
Gather the courage and confidence to achieve success and do it better than others. Do not worry about failure while striving to improve.
- Prepare Yourself Financially
Irrespective of whether you are studying with a scholarship or grant, make sure that you have airtight financial security.
- Seek out potential scholarship opportunities for which you are eligible. Check with your institution, places of worship, civic and government bodies. Scour the Internet for relevant scholarship opportunities.
- Control your expenses. Pay attention to any student loan debt you are accruing.
- And also, look for any financial literacy programs conducted by your college or university that teach students to become financially intelligent & confident.
While you might end up spending some money on recreational and extracurricular activities, remember to keep a leash on those expenses.
- Get Involved With Different College Activities
Many first-generation graduates encourage others to be actively involved with fraternities, college book clubs, sports and various extracurricular activities.
- College fests and sporting events are excellent ways to get to know your peers and mates.
- Join social clubs and fraternities in your college and make your presence known. Who knows, you might make some terrific friends when mingling.
- If you possess good sporting or other creative skills, then make sure to showcase them by participating in cultural or sporting events.
Show you enthusiasm, mix freely, and you are bound to be accepted into clubs & groups.
- Avoid Burnouts
To prevent burnout
- Exercise. Not only is exercise good for our physical health, but it can also give us an emotional boost. …
- Eat a balanced diet. Eating a healthy diet filled with omega-3 fatty acids can be a natural antidepressant. …
- Practice good sleep habits.
- During stressful times, it’s important to reach out for help. If asking for assistance feels difficult, consider developing a self-care “check-in” with close friends and family members so that you can take care of each other during trying times.
Your family may have huge expectations from you. Courses, tuitions, assignments and subjects may seem quite overwhelming. People may say that a lot is riding on your shoulders.
Whatever may be the case, do not get bogged down and do not overload or overexert yourself.
- Study hard but make sure to take breaks in between.
- If you are involved with a part-time job after college, make sure to set your daily routine properly. Ensure that you get enough time to do your academic tasks as well as get ample rest.
And, all those talks about expectations and the like, use them all as a source of motivation that will push you through tough times.
- Take Careful Chances
Anything that allows you to learn new things and increases your chances of becoming a better human being, try to grab it as soon as possible.
- College is a low-risk environment where you have numerous opportunities to try your hand at different things. So, go out on a limb and try your hand at something new.
- Follow your passions and try to explore something new. College life is not just about educating oneself but also finding & indulging in other interests.
Assignment help online for advance step to grow in career. At the same time, be aware of your limits and avoid stretching yourself too thin.
- Set Up Your Mental Support System
For first-generation college-goers, families and parents can struggle to offer proper support during trying times.
- Developing a closely-knit friend circle can also be a great support system. Tough times are also the right time to know who your true friends are.
- Many colleges have dedicated support and counseling departments to help struggling pupils.
- And a romantic relationship is yet another excellent way to find some steadfast mental support during troubling times.
Remember not to rule out the support of your family members altogether. They are, after all, your close ones and will always be there for you through thick and thin.
- Finally, Be Positive & Confident
Always be optimistic and never stop believing in yourself. When in doubt, think about your goals and ambitions, and talk with people who can guide & motivate you. All those talks about expectations, use them as fuel to push yourself harder and attain sure-fire success.
And that concludes this article. Hope it acts as a source of motivation for every first-generation college out there.
Author-Bio: Sylar Lucas is a lecturer at the University of Columbia. Along with that,He is also a part-time academic writer at MyAssignmenthelp.com, a global writing service offering business proposal writing, assignment writing, CDR writing, resume writing and various others services.