Real talk: First Generation

Part I : May this be the first of many heartfelt and hopefully inspiring conversations about being a first-generation youth. This one is worth the scroll.

“The term “first-generation” implies the possibility that a student may lack the critical cultural capital necessary for college success because their parents did not attend college.”

— The Center for First-generation Student Success

Ever had imposter syndrome? Imagine navigating education with that kind of feeling 24/7 and having an abundance of questions, not knowing which questions to ask, or not asking your questions at all. It’s humbling to say the least and there are more of us than you think! I invite you to reimagine your success especially if you identify as first-gen: YOU’RE NOT ALONE

Here’s my story:

I grew up in a low-income neighborhood within the SFV (part of Los Angeles) and I am the first in my family to attend & graduate from a four-year university. Like many of my peers, I attended public schools for all of my K-12 education. School is challenging as it is but what about the rest of the hours you’re not in such a controlled or catered environment? That’s the intersection between home-life and learning, your environment matters.

I am no stranger to subsidized programs — plenty ranging from subsidized housing, free-meal programs, food stamps (aka EBT or CalFresh), utilities assistance, Medi-Cal and more just to cover the basics. Growing up, I saw how common it was for family members and neighbors to wait on hold for hours, flustered over how to send in thick packages of required documents, doing their best to get by.

Being a first generation student means that they’re taking risks, stepping outside of their comfort zone, and doing something they’ve never seen anyone in their family do before.

The Timeline:

Pre-school & daycare — Mom would drop me off early with a backpack of snacks to sit in my cubby while I dreaded nap time, loved art class, and wore myself out on the playground. She’d take multiple buses daily to get to work and after her shifts, hurry over to pick me up from daycare before closing hours, time not always working in her favor but certainly out of her control.

1st - 5th grade — Enrichment & after school programs like Beyond the Bell. Yes, until the very last hours they offered. Perfect attendance only compromised if I caught a cold, jungle gyms + talent shows, standardized testing and parent-teacher conferences suggesting to my mom to apply for Magnet Programs throughout LAUSD.

6th - 8th grade — A program for “gifted” students 2.8 miles away from home meaning I was 0.2 miles short of qualifying for school bus pick up. College preparation programs like Educational Talent Search (one of eight TRIO programs) that I will rep and advocate for til my dying days are literal life savers. My first college-campus visit sealed the deal to pursue my degree. In all honesty, I don’t even remember how I started but I felt lucky to have had administrators and teachers who were invested in my future.

9th - 12th grade — Math & Science Magnet Program within LAUSD meant an extra year of both math & science even after completing A-G requirements. ETS College Prep was my lifeline; my hopes and promises of getting out of the valley. I can thank them for mentor meetings, POC college reps, college visits (the ones my mom would sign the permission slips for so NorCal? Nope.) 1:1 college application support, financial aid (FAFSA), the scholarship that changed it all…endless encouragement even when I felt so small or when I wanted to give up.

Undergrad 2016 - 2020 — San Francisco State University 🐊 Haha let’s just save this one for next time!

“The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you.”

— B.B. King

Fast Forward: BIGGEST Takeaways

I am a product of adversity and grit.

I value the struggle and want to shed light on those seemingly taboo upbringings. It’s hard not to feel unmotivated, shameful, maybe even a little guilty. Research and demographics show you that you’re “higher risk,” categorized with lower graduation rates & drop-outs, labeled in ways where public policy does not aim to serve us.

They do not dictate your future.

If you are a first-gen student, don’t give up. Ask for help, hold your head high even in the face of rejection, walk across that stage with a purpose. Start a future that puts you front and center…