FIRST-GENERATION STUDENTS
of first-generation students need financial aid. The College & Career Center can help!
take advantage of their college's career services. That means 84% of them do not!
do not complete their bachelor's degree within six years. It typically takes four years.
of first-generation students are employed while in college. School and work?! This tells us that first-generation students are hard workers!
What is a "first-generation student?"
Also known as a "first-generation college student" or a "first-gen," these students are the first in their families to go to college. The college experience first-generation students face tends to differ from the experience of college students with parents who attended college. In addition to more well-known barriers, such as college affordability, privilege, and access to learning resources, one of the biggest barriers first-generation students face is a lack of at-home support. The College and Career Center is here to help students and their families succeed.
How can I support my first-generation student?
To help your student prepare, it may be best to discuss their goals and ambitions in a supportive, productive way. Listen to their ideas. Ask them questions. If they don't have the answer, help them search for it. In doing so, both you and your student will be learning how to navigate towards that goal. Connecting with your student's guidance counselor or the college and career center here at Cabrillo is a great way to begin planning for the future.
Supporting your first-generation student is an investment in their future. Maintaining your support throughout their college years is crucial to their success and could help inspire other siblings, family members, and even you!
Former First Lady Michelle Obama
Former First Lady Michelle Obama, who is a first-generation college graduate, addressed first-generation college students’ struggles and shared some advice with this student population. Here are some of the tips she and other prominent speakers at the fifth annual Beating the Odds Summit shared.
Try college even if you didn’t do well in high school.
Experiment for the first two years and choose a major that excites you.
Student-athletes need to be much better than their peers at managing sports and school.
Make new friends.
Ask for help if you need any, either from your peers or from the school.
"You should never view your challenges as a disadvantage. Instead, it's important for you to understand that your experience facing and overcoming adversity is actually one of your biggest advantages."
- First Lady Michelle Obama
Common
Trait
What the
Data Says
College & Career
Center Resources
How Parents
Can Help
Most First-Generation Students Attend City College
The CCC maintains a close relationship with LBCC and can always help your student apply for admissions and financial aid. The CCC can review LBCC programs, career opportunities, and plan for transfer to a 4-year institution.
Visit the LBCC campus!
Navigate the departments on the lbcc.edu website. This will help you to understand what resources are available to your student
Consider taking a class--have the same experience as your student
They're less likely to have a mentor.
Here at Cabrillo, we are proud to say that our body of teachers, staff, counselors, the school nurse, and principals is comprised of many first-generation college graduates! Even the college and career center is managed by a first-generation graduate. We know how to help because we've been there. Let's talk and plan out your future!
Understand that your student may experience culture shock. This occurs when a person is placed in an unfamiliar setting and expected to get used to that setting (such as a college campus) quite quickly.
Listen to their concerns. Help them navigate college resources.
If possible, talk to a friend, co-worker, or neighbor about their experience sending their child to college.
Your student is not alone!
At Cabrillo, it's even more! Most college-bound Cabrillo graduates are first-generation students. While many will go to different colleges, encouraging your student to maintain contact with their high school peers is crucial. It will establish a support network and share a unique first-generation experience.
Encourage connections! Push your student to connect with other first-gens and to take advantage of campus resources for first-gens.
Welcome others to your place! By letting your home become a study space for your first-gen student and peers, you will be providing them with an unofficial classroom, which is a valuable learning resource.
English as a Second Language
Congratulations! Not only are you a first-generation college student, but you're also bilingual! Being bilingual is one of the most valuable skills to offer any employer! If English is your second language, realize that you have a skill needed to become successful in the workforce.
Be sure to help your student understand that this is a very valuable skill and it can help them secure employment during and after graduating from college.
Connect this skill to other skills. For example, application and computer design and programming require you to learn programming languages (HTML, C, Swift, etc.). Your first-gen has already demonstrated the capacity to successfully learn and apply a new language.
Remedial Coursework Required
It may be discouraging to learn that additional coursework is required before taking college-level coursework, but know that it is okay! Yes. It will add time to getting the degree, but it will build skills in subjects like math and English. It's much better to enhance these skills and then take the college-level courses, rather than to take the college-level course while lacking those skills, which could result in a low grade on your permanent college transcript. Embrace the opportunity to take remedial courses!
Be positive! This can be a tough spot for any student, but with continued support, your first-gen will succeed.
Learn with them! Maybe you need to send out an email or write an important letter? Perhaps suggesting that your first-gen proofread it for you will help them to realize their value and potential! Little acts like this can go a long way!
Ask questions! Listen! Remedial courses tend to be taken at the start of college. New college students are excited and may want to share their new knowledge and experience. Let them say it all!
Need to be Employed
We all need money. While some may be privileged and not need to work during college, most first-generation students need to generate income. Balancing work and school is challenging, but it will instill a work ethic within you that will enhance your growth, both personally and professionally. Years from now, you will look back with great pride at how you overcame this barrier and succeeded!
As a parent or guardian, you balance work and raising your family successfully. You know it takes commitment, patience, and a never-give-up attitude. You can relate to your student as an adult and share the experiences of hard work and dedication.
Listen to their concerns. Remind your first-gen of challenging times you went through as a family and how you know that they have what it takes to succeed. You've watched them grow and overcome challenges before. You know they will overcome this one, too!
Overcoming Systemic Barriers
Here at Cabrillo, we are proud of our diverse community and student body. We recognize the systemic problems that can hinder our students' success, but we will never let those problems win. As a Jaguar, you have strength, courage, and an entire community behind you. No matter the color of your skin, you are and will continue to be a success story. You will defeat systemic barriers. You will always speak out against racism discrimination. You will do all of this while enhancing your education with your studies, life experiences, and your ability to stand up for yourself and others. Be heard!
Reflect upon your own experiences of racism and discrimination. Know that just because it happened to, doesn't mean it must happen to your student. Speak to them about your experiences and encourage them to push back against racism and discrimination.
Know that these issues extend beyond access to education. Having an education will provide the knowledge needed to address systemic racism. This will help your first-gen to make changes that have a positive impact on generations to come.
The Challenge is Real...
but you WILL succeed.
This is a scary statistic. Lower-income first-generation students are statistically at greater risk of never obtaining a college degree. That does not mean it's impossible. An at-home support network is the most important part of a first-generation student's college experience.
All of the statistics above contribute to this high number. As discussed, there are plenty of ways to assure first-gen success.
Be supportive
Learn from your student
Incorporate your new knowledge
Never give-up
Give back to your community
Breaking Barriers: Famous First-Gens
