FIRST GENERATION

Tell us about growing up being the first in your family to graduate from college.  At what age did you realize you might be the first?

Growing up my immediate family rarely talked about college or graduations. College graduation or degrees were not a common topic of conversation. When I was a senior in college, and I started thinking about graduation, my mom was determined for me to do all the senior events and ceremonies possible. I was a little confused as to why I had to do absolutely EVERY event. When I tried to back out on a few events, she told me why it was so important to my family that we get to go to everything. At that time, I was 18. 

Did you feel added pressure being the first in your family to attend/ graduate from college?  Explain?

YES! Though talking about college was not always a common topic in my family, when it came to school, my mom expected the best. School was so important to her and to our entire family. They expected good grades, high effort, and respect for teachers at all times. Though I am glad they instilled that value in me, it was a lot of pressure, and sometimes still plays out in different ways in my life.

What college did you attend and graduate from?  What was your major?

I attended and graduated from North Carolina State University! My major as an undergraduate student was English and Secondary Education. #GoPack!

Did you experience any obstacles / challenges while in college?  How did you overcome them?

Yes, there were definitely obstacles/challenges while in college. College felt so different from my experience in high school and the comfort of home and family. I was so nervous in the beginning, but I also felt like I didn’t belong in my classes. They were so big and I felt really worried that I would not be “smart enough” to do well. I overcame those feelings by making connections with other students through clubs, extracurricular activities, and organizations. Making the “big” small allowed me to see NC State as a second home.

Who were some of the people who championed you throughout your college years?  

My mom has always been a source of encouragement and motivation. My grandmothers, great-grandmothers, and aunts also made sure to keep me going. My dad would also be sure I kept myself grounded in finding ways to still be myself even with all the pressures of school. Beyond my family, my senior English teacher and Cheerleading Coach, Mrs. Bradford kept up with me every step of the way at NC State. She would email me, call me, and even send messages to my mom to make sure I was staying focused. She made sure I worked on my resume before graduation and she helped me practice interview skills. She helped me look for teaching opportunities during my senior year and ultimately helped me get my first job! She did not stop there, she made sure I knew all the ins and outs of things that you don’t learn in a book for work, like what to wear, what to say, how to say it, when to do things, and so much more. Mrs. Bradford was such a blessing to my life as a high school student, as a college student, and then as a working adult. I’m still amazed at how much she championed me through my teenage and adult life!!

What piece of advice or words of wisdom do you have to WYWLA students who will be the first in their family to attend/ graduate from college?

Doing anything for the first time is hard. Generational habits are really challenging to change. It will be hard at times, but you are SO capable of beginning a new tradition of college graduation in your family. Remember that there will be times in which you doubt whether or not you are the person to rewrite your family’s story through college access, and you have to keep telling yourself that you are. When you don’t know if you fit in, create space that reminds you that you do! 

by Lilian Ayscue