Risk Factors for Freshman in Their First Year College Experience

1688 Words4 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: How important are extracurricular activities

At the turn of the 20th century, the majority of college students were white male adolescents, primarily the sons of doctors, lawyers, ministers, prosperous merchants, and well-to-do farmers (Jenkins, Miyazaki, and Janosi). First generation college students are a new demographic when it comes to the college population. First generation students are the first in their family to attend college and plan to be the first in their family that graduate. According to data provided by the National Center for Education Statistics, First Generation Students make up 43% of the student population (Nunez, Cuccaro-Alamin, and Carroll.). This is a completely new demographic compared to the prior population of student bodies. Today’s society stresses the importance of college degrees and has been a drastic increase in first generation students. Despite the fact that many students have already passed the initial barrier of applying and being admitted to college, there are many challenges these students face that non-first generation students do not experience. However, the majority of these students face risk factors in their college experience that non-first generation college students do not experience. One of the main differences I have notice is the lack of participation of first generation college students in campus activities, clubs, or organization. Campus engagement is known to enhance a student’s academic and personal development. Student’s involved in extracurricular activities learn to work, communicate, and problem solve with others. They have more developed ideas, beliefs, and opinions. They also have more self-esteem and speaking skills which will definitely help them once they graduate and enter the job market. With all of the benef... ... middle of paper ... ...lege peers, the necessity to work while in college, racial and ethnicity differences, and being a mother can complicate the hardships more. One thing we know that is beneficial for college students is to get engaged on campus. It will help academically, socially, personally, and hopefully in the future economically. However, to create an institutional environment that is fair and equal to all students would be to cater to the needs of all demographics. We have established the first generation students are a new demographic and it is necessary to help the needs of this group of students. Until the system makes it easier for those who want to earn a degree to do so while maintaining other responsibilities, the number of students with some college education, but no degree to show for it, will be a continuing challenge for the higher education industry (Unknown).

Show More
Related

  • First Generation Summary

    739 Words  | 2 Pages

    The documentary, First Generation, follows four first generation college students who try and balance the hardships of working, sports, being part of a lower socioeconomic status and handling the challenges of learning how to apply and cover the cost of hefty college tuitions. In this paper, I will discuss barriers that some students experienced, the benefits of attainting a college education as a first generation student and some of the challenges individuals faced once they were accepted into college.

    Read More

  • The Pros And Cons Of First-Generation College Students

    575 Words  | 2 Pages

    While first-generation college students are over half of all students in postsecondary education, exclusionary practices block their admittance into elite institutions. The outliers who receive admittance to the Ivory Tower may think they have made it—that their American Dream and long-held belief in the meritocratic ethos has finally paid off. Instead, they are confronted with educational stratification and social reproduction that was stacked against them long before they received the piece of parchment granting them access. The onerous task of navigating through unfamiliar academic and social situations often results in leaving. Can first-generation college students learn how to activate, manage, and accumulate social and cultural capital to navigate elite universities?

    Read More

  • Transitioning to College: The Freshman 15

    1225 Words  | 3 Pages

    Throughout the length of schooling, students go through various changes. In their first year of school, children are required to make the transition from being at home for the entire day to being in school for a number of hours a day. These transition periods happen many times through the schooling years, but the most drastic changes occur during the transition from high school to college, where students weather numerous lifestyle changes. While each individual student goes on their own journey, certain themes remain common between different students. Studies are done to look at these themes identifying the numerous differences and similarities.

    Read More

  • Public Community Colleges : Creating Access And Opportunities For First Generation College Students

    1141 Words  | 3 Pages

    The author, Julia Brookshire Everett commenced the article, “Public Community Colleges: Creating Access and Opportunities for First Generation College Students”, by first characterizing first- generation college students and also expounding on the difficulties first-generation students encountered when acquiring post-secondary degrees. According to Everett (2015), the term ‘first- generation college student’ was first coined in the 1960s in order to regulate student eligibility for federally financed programs to aid students from low-income households.

    Read More

  • Latino Students in American Colleges

    3115 Words  | 7 Pages

    Saunders, M., & Serna, I. (2004). Making college happen: The college experiences of first-generation Latino students. Journal of Hispanic Higher Education, 3(2), 146-163.

    Read More

  • First Generation College Students Essay

    1163 Words  | 3 Pages

    Most first generation college students are significantly older than the average, approximately 24 year of age (Pascarella et. al 2004). The surrounding low-income environments that many of these students are raised around can explain this late age. This financial pressure can also explain another category of first generation students, preparation (Chen & Carroll, 2005). These students are often less prepared to enter the college life. They have not been exposed to the necessary preparation needed to succeed on college admissions tests and furthermore don’t meet the performance requirements that universities and institutions require. Analyzing the prefaces that surround the environment of first generation college students aids in understanding current problems faced in college as well as assist in proposing solutions for this subset of

    Read More

  • Persuasive Essay On First Generation Students

    1262 Words  | 3 Pages

    Society today puts priority on a college degree, yet those who end up going to college are not always tended to. Of the entire undergraduate population in the United States, only 24 percent are first generation college students. From that group of students, only 11 percent earn a Bachelor’s degree after six years (Tugend). Often times first generation students are unaware of anything about college. This lack of knowledge leads to them not taking full advantage of all the resources available to them (Parks). Neither one of my parents went to college, so it was as much a learning process for them as it was for me. As a first generation student I believe that it is necessary for there to be some group of people that just devotes their time and attention to helping everyone take full advantage of everything they are being offered.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Hunter Rawlings's College Is Not A Commodity

    707 Words  | 2 Pages

    As the economy evolves and the job market continues to get more competitive, it’s becoming harder to have a successful career without some kind of college degree. This creates a belief in many young students that college actually is a commodity, something they must have in order to have a good life. There’s many different factors that influence this mindset, high schools must push the importance of the student’s willingness and drive to further their education. College isn’t just a gateway to jobs, but it is an opportunity to increase knowledge and stretch and challenge the student which in return makes them a more rounded adult and provides them with skills they might lack prior to

    Read More

  • First-Generation College Students: Challenges and Solutions

    1191 Words  | 3 Pages

    I heard about issues like this before I went to college but I didn’t believe it; nowadays, there are moments where I’m sitting in class and end up asking myself, “Should I even be here?” A solution to this problem would be if schools were to implement first generation counseling centers on their campus which consist solely of former first generation students turned faculty members. If this were the case, students would have someone they can feel comfortable seeking advice from due to it being someone who’s been in the same rough spot. I reached out to a friend of mine, a fellow first out of his immediate family, to see how he feels about the subject. I asked what he thought the hardest part of the college process was and whether or not he would’ve sought out a first-generation center had it been accessible for him; he responded with, “The hardest part has to be figuring all this stuff out alone. Kids with college educated parents genuinely don’t understand how lucky they are to have someone in their household even be remotely close to remembering how to fill all these papers out. There’s no doubt that a hub for first-gen students would be extremely helpful. if it existed you’d likely see me there every single day.” With that being said, the inclusion of a unique station such as this one to provide new students with assistance, guidance and moral support will only help raise their self-esteem; as well as shine a bright light on why there are still endless opportunities to succeed without a family member’s awareness of the

    Read More

  • First Generation College Student Analysis

    223 Words  | 1 Pages

    I am Nursing major and with that degree to become a Nurse Practitioner who specializes in the Cardiovascular System to reduce the rate of heart diease in America. I am a hardworking individual and I take my academics very seriously. I understand that I am at school for a purpose and know my purpose is to further my education. I am just trying to make it. My parents always told me growing up “ In order to get something you never had that I will have to do things I have never done.” No one prepared me for college, because I am a first generation college student. In addition to being a first generation college student ; I am also a first generation high school graduate. I use my my parents trials and tribulations as my motivation, because I want

    Read More

  • Narrative Essay: First Generation College Students

    663 Words  | 2 Pages

    Being a first generation college student has been my biggest struggle in life. For years, I was told to attend Allen Community College before any big changes of course I didn’t listen. For years I was told I wouldn’t last in a big university, I have been told I will be unprepared and behind. I have been told that three out of five first generations students do not complete a degree. Being told something isn’t possible is a hard thing to deal with.

    Read More

  • Why College Students Should Drop Out Of College

    1336 Words  | 3 Pages

    “By 2020,” President Barak Obama issues, “America will once again have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world” (Kelly and Schneider 1). A graduating college is always questionable at least once while attending college. Students consider A decision should be made by his or her own belief, and it never should be regrettable. Most of people desire themselves to be distinct from normal and desire to be high-educated. Students in America likewise pursue higher education in order to succeed in reality. A college degree is the gateway of successes even the government is setting an ambitious goal to support students. Students should graduate college to get a degree; it is worth of reaching out in their lifetimes.

    Read More

  • In Defense of Elitism

    1063 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the author’s comparison to other leading countries, the United States has academic standards and achievement requirements which do not directly insure that this nation’s youth are job ready with a four-year degree. Mr. Henry’s theory states that the United States as a whole needs to restrict college admissions to only half of those who seek degrees. In the essay, the author is of the opinion that by reducing the number of degree seeking students, a nation can improve quality and the value of a college education. Decrease the quantity of students would in the long run increase the quality of education. The author sees the necessity of restricting higher education to include only those who have demonstrated at an early age in the educational process the ability and ambition to pursue a higher education.

    Read More

  • Essay On First Generation Students

    800 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the 21st century, if an individual decides to make a major commitment or resolution, they have the utmost support from their peers and family members. However, when a first-generation college student decides on furthering their education, the dearest people close to the student seem to disappear. Linda Banks-Santilli (2015) claims that first-generation students apply to a single college and without the help of a parent (para. 13). Although Banks-Santilli does not say so directly, she assumes that the students can not afford multiple application fees and the students are unsure on how to determine which college is a good fit, as their parents have not taken them on a college tour. I agree that first-generation students have far less help

    Read More

  • Summary Of College Is A Waste Of Time And Money

    751 Words  | 2 Pages

    It seems as though the majority of college students these days aren’t looking to further their education because it’s what they really want, they do it to please their parents, to be accepted by society, or because there’s nothing else for them to do (Bird, 372). These expectations have led to students being unhappy and stressed, and have pushed them into a school or a job that they don’t particularly care for.

    Read More

More about Risk Factors for Freshman in Their First Year College Experience

Open Document