Chart Your Own Course as a First-Gen Student
November 8th marks First-Generation Student Day! A first-generation student is typically defined as an undergraduate student whose parents did not earn a bachelor’s or higher education degree. If you’re wondering what the first-gen experience can be like for a Chatham student, check out our 3 Questions with First-Generation Students piece. In honor of this year’s first-generation celebration, we gathered some tips and insider recommendations for both current and potential first-generation students. Check out our tips for thriving below—
Find Your People
Being a first-generation student takes guts and fierce commitment. You may not always feel like you’re as well-versed in “college life” as other students but that doesn’t mean you don’t belong. Go out of your way to meet new people and to spend time with those who have your best interests at heart. If someone makes you feel excluded or unsupported, don’t spend time with them any longer.
The key is making sure that you don’t feel isolated throughout your college transition. On the days you feel like holing up in your dorm room, ask the person next door to grab dinner or head to the library with you. Better yet, explore the many clubs and student organizations on campus to see if any pique your interest. If so, head to the next meeting and see who you meet!
Utilize Free Resources
Before you ever start college, there are a bounty of free resources that can make your application process easier and more affordable. For starters, you can complete your FAFSA or “free application for federal student aid”—and you should every year. This will help determine if you qualify for grants and loans from the federal government. Many college applications are free, including Chatham’s, and many local and national scholarship applications are also free. Check out Chatham’s variety of scholarships here—all of which are also—you guessed it—free!
Once you arrive at Chatham, the free perks continue. All Chatham students receive their very own laptop as part of their tuition, yours to keep post-college. Our Office of Academic and Accessibility Resources (OAAR) offers free tutoring, test-taking assistance, writing mentors, and more. Getting around Pittsburgh without a car is a breeze thanks to free bus rides throughout the city with your Chatham ID. Said Chatham ID can also get you student discounts on food and fun throughout the city—check out some suggested perks from Pittsburgh City Paper. One of our favorite Chatham subsidies is a $1,200 travel voucher towards a study abroad adventure of your choice!
Share Your Perspective
Even if it doesn’t necessarily feel that way all the time, there are lots of first-generation college students at Chatham. If you feel as though a first-generation perspective isn’t being shared in your classrooms or social spaces, speak up and share yours! It’s important for people to recognize their blindspots and privileges, and without someone like you participating as a stakeholder in the discussion, conversations won’t be as nuanced and inclusive as they need to be. Plus, if you speak up for yourself, you never know who else in the room might benefit from you sharing your experience.
Get to Know Your Professors
Your professors and their Ph.D.’s may seem intimidating at first, but the more time you spend at Chatham, the more you’ll realize just how much your professors want to see you succeed. Showing up to your professors’ office hours, introducing yourself after class, or engaging in classroom discussions can help your professors get to know you and your academic goals.
If you’re having difficulty with class material or you need some extra study guidance, check in to see if your professors offer study groups or other out-of-class resources. Asking questions and going out of your way to build relationships can go a long way towards your future academic and career goals. When professors hear about internships or need co-researchers on projects, they’re more likely to reach out to students they know and connect with.
Ask for Help
If you find that you’re struggling in any way, the best thing you can do is reach out for help. Your resident assistant, Chatham's Counseling Center, and your academic advisor are all great places to turn when you’re not sure where to turn. And don’t worry about asking the wrong person the wrong question; all of the aforementioned resources will know where to direct you. Adjusting to college can be hard for anyone, and first-generation students don’t always have the benefit of asking their family for college advice. Asking for help invites others in and helps ensure that you don’t suffer in silence. Look around—at Chatham, there are no shortage of people who want to assist you.
Do Your Own Research
Ultimately, no one can advocate for your academic needs, goals, and aspirations the way you can. Train yourself to be an expert in your own education. Stay ahead of deadlines, both in class and out. Ask questions when you’re unsure and double check due dates. Consider investing in a planner or a calendar app that can help you stay on track throughout the semester. Introduce yourself to key stakeholders on campus and be sure to attend a variety of events. And once you have a few semesters under your belt, you’ll find that you’re more confident, more adventurous, and more willing to take on roles you were previously intimidated by. We can’t wait to see where your college journey takes you!
Happy First-Generation Students Day! Explore the possibilities of a Chatham education here.