Carrying the Dream: The Highs and Lows of Being a First-Generation College Student
By Vianni Duarte
Spring 2025
For millions of students across the United States, college is a time for self-discovery and experiencing new things. And while all these things are true, for others, going to college holds a completely different meaning, one that puts everything at stake.
According to the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA), 56% of all college graduates in the United States are first-generation graduates. That is roughly 27 million people who became the first person in their immediate family to go through the college experience and better themselves through higher education.
Personally, I have my grandparents to thank for the opportunity to pursue a college degree. Both of my maternal grandparents and my paternal grandfather immigrated to the United States from Mexico in the 1970s while my paternal grandmother took refuge in the United States from Cuba around the same time. By fate, both sets of my grandparents met at parties in Illinois where they eventually fell in love, built a strong foundation, and had children. From then, my parents were born and raised in the United States and faced their own hardships of being true first generation Americans. Every sacrifice starting from my grandparents moving to a new country without speaking any English, to my parents working day and night to provide my siblings and I with a better life have led me to attend North Central College. To me, there is no greater motivation.
To first generation college students, the opportunity to graduate from college means changing the trajectory of not only their own lives but also the lives of their family members and the generations to come. Going to college means living a dream that had been dreamt long before they were even born—a dream that ancestors left everything behind for.
Being a first-generation college student is a privilege and an honor. However, it also means grappling with confusion and self-doubt, feeling alone, and navigating disappointment and being misunderstood. As first-gen students, we are expected to balance all of these things while carrying the weight of making those who have sacrificed everything proud.
In this blog post, we’ll go through the realities of being a first-generation college student, addressing some key stressors, sharing practical tips from experts, and offering motivation to keep pushing forward.
The Weight of Generational Sacrifice
Being a first-generation college student comes with a lot of pride, but it can also bring intense pressure and a heavy emotional burden. The weight of knowing that the hard work, dreams, and sacrifices of your family have led to the moment you go to college is overwhelming. Though pursuing higher education is something that betters your life, you are truly fulfilling a family achievement that will close a gap in your family forever.
The stigma around being first-gen and all of the unspoken rules about succeeding no matter what cost, like your ancestors did, is emotionally jarring. The thought of not succeeding is almost scarier than the thought of taking all this on by yourself.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the average median income with a high school education is $50,401 per year while the average median income with a bachelor’s degree is $105,552. For first generation students, that means the opportunity to go to college makes the pressure to be successful extremely personal.
Many times first-gen students come from extremely supportive families who feel immense pride in their hard work. “First and foremost, my parents are kind of my biggest cheerleaders. They think it’s really cool that I’m going to college, so I know they’re supporting me all the time,” says Brianna when asked what role her family plays in her college journey.
Whether your family immigrated to the United States for a better life or your parents worked multiple jobs to send you to school, as a first-generation college student, you carry the proof that someone believed you were worth sacrificing for. It’s important to remind yourself of that in the times where you feel like you aren’t doing enough.
How First-Gen Students Afford College
For many first generation college students, the decision to attend college is a decision to sacrifice many things and a leap of faith into financial uncertainty. With rising tuition costs and limited financial guidance, a degree often comes with a hefty price tag. According to the Pew Research Center, first-generation college graduates are two-thirds more likely to incur debt from their education than second-generation graduates.
On top of that, 65% of first-gen students owe $25,000 or more in student loans compared to their peers. Such large amounts of money bring significant stress and confusion. This financial burden often goes beyond the average struggling college student years and delays milestones like buying a home, starting a family, or saving for retirement, creating a lasting financial ripple effect.
“I think a lot of students get analysis paralysis," says Dr. Ryan Decker, a Professor of Economics and Finance at North Central College and fellow first-generation college graduate. “[College] is a big financial investment and that can make students freeze where they don't know enough to feel comfortable making these important financial decisions.” This is unfortunately a reality for most first-gen students.
Navigating student loans, FAFSA, scholarships, grants, and budgeting without parental guidance can be, and is in most cases, an extreme stressor. A study conducted by the Acta Medica Medianae reflects this as it states money was a top stressor among college students next to the death of a family member and serious illness.
“My family helps to support me in that way,” says Brianna Eloiza, current third-year Journalism and Sport Management student at North Central College and first-generation college student. “It’s kind of like a motivator, I know they want me to be okay mentally and physically but the real motivator is wanting to make them proud and for it to not seem like i'm wasting their money,” she adds. This is a sentiment that most first generation college students have when it comes to finances.
The financial sacrifices that families make are a major gesture of support but can also create pressure that can be hard to manage.
Budgeting Basics for First-Gen College Success
Financial literacy is an important skill for anyone, but especially first-generation college students. Being financially literate can shape the future of first-gen students starting with the college you choose to attend.
“You should first ask yourself if you’re choosing a college that you can afford,” notes Dr. Decker. Society often puts pressure on the party and independence aspects of college leading most students looking at bigger universities with fun reputations. While some students prioritize Greek life when choosing a college, most first-generation students do not have that luxury.
First-gen students often prioritize affordability over prestige. And while many students dream of attending large, well-known universities, first-gen students are more likely to choose community colleges or state schools to reduce tuition costs. This is reflected in the National Center for Education Statistics’ study that states first generation students are more likely to attend two-year schools. This decision reflects a practical, financially conscious approach that often comes at the cost of missing out on the 'traditional' college experience.
Dr. Decker’s number one tip for managing finances for all students is discipline. “Controlling your spending, budgeting, focusing on what you can and can’t afford is definitely impactful,” he suggested. According to the Industrial Federal Credit Union, budgeting is impactful because it empowers the person by exposing spending patterns and can lead to more areas for savings.
Here are some budgeting tips for college students, according to the Federal Student Aid:
Overestimate expenses and underestimate income to avoid budget shortfalls.
Identify essential expenses vs. discretionary spending.
Prioritize needs over wants when creating your budget.
Record all expenses, including small purchases, to identify spending patterns.
Only spend what you can afford to pay off in full each month.
Use free budgeting apps designed to help students save.
These tips can serve as a starting point in a smarter financial future. Remember, it is never too late to start.
Emotional Wellness for First-Gen Students
Carrying the weight of generational sacrifice can take a significant emotional toll. That’s why prioritizing mental well-being is essential for first-generation students. Balancing full-time school, work, family responsibilities, and a social life can often lead to serious burnout and in worse cases, mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. In fact, according to a study done by the Association for Computing Machinery, first generation college students are more likely to feel symptoms of depression or depressive episodes than their non-first generation peers.
“I have had students come to me in vulnerable states where they feel overwhelmed from the pressure of being the first one to go through this alone… Many of them feel even more pressure if they have little brothers or sisters watching.” says Dr. Rivera, Psychology professor at North Central College, and fellow first generation graduate.
In order to prevent burnout or overwhelming mental stress we must be proactive in how we treat ourselves in times of stress. Investing in your mental and physical health will allow you to feel stronger and more confident when overcoming challenges. Here is a list of tips to help manage your mental health according to Stetson University:
● Get enough sleep
● Create a routine
● Have strict boundaries on work and home hours
● Take advantage of campus resources
● Ask for help
● Hang out with friends regularly
● Be familiar and comfortable with adapting to change
Though seemingly simple, applying these tips can significantly improve your mental health.
While it would be nice if we were always able to get through tough mental periods quickly, that is not always the case. Sometimes we need to confide in others or seek help in order to get out of a mental rut. The idea of reaching out for help may sound helpful in theory but can sound like an unbearable task in a time of mental uncertainty.
Colleges and universities in the United States as a whole need to do a better job at sharing mental health resources to their students. However, we can’t leave it solely to them, we must help each other and share as we learn. Here is a list of five free mental health resources for you to save for later and share with your friends:
Make sure to always check to see what resources your school offers and take advantage of those opportunities. The cost of those resources are built into your tuition so you may as well take advantage of them.
Staying Motivated in College as a First-Gen Student
As a first-gen college student myself, I know there is a lot of noise out there on what we should be doing. We’re told to seek help and resources when we don’t have knowledge on who we can reach out to. And though it is true that the first generation college student experience may force you to work harder to walk across the stage at graduation than most of your peers, it is important to stay focused on your goals and brainstorm ways you can help yourself through the process.
“Sure, some aspects make your life harder but let's not have a victim mentality, let’s acknowledge it and then overcome it,” says Dr. Decker. Don't discredit your mental health and make sure you listen to your body, but also don't sulk in what may seem like indisputable challenges. If you feel overwhelmed, talk it out with someone, address your stress areas and make a game plan for how you want to approach them over the course of time.
A great way to connect with people who can act as a support system for you is through clubs. Joining clubs that you find interesting can lead to making friends and finding a community that can temporarily distract you from life’s challenges.
“I think getting involved has helped me a lot…” “Yes, I’m here to get a degree, but it’s nice having different outlets where I can give myself a mental break to reset and allow myself to be the best I can be for my classes,” explained Brianna.
Not only does joining clubs benefit you mentally but also plays a large role in your personal and professional development. According to the Aspire Institute, being involved in clubs provides multiple benefits for first generation students:
Build a professional network
Develop soft skills such as leadership and effective communication
Generate confidence and self-awareness
Bulk up your resume
Clubs can open opportunities for leadership roles and provide real experience of collaborating with peers on projects that you have total control over.
Embracing Your First-Gen Journey
Being a first generation college student comes with its fair share of challenges but it is also a title that comes with immense pride. Stressors like finances and the feeling of isolation can definitely impact your mental health and overall well-being, but believing in your hard work and finding your support system can shape your entire college experience for the better.
When brainstorming one tip to make the first-gen student experience easier I concluded that there were way more miscellaneous tips that I could leave you with. Therefore I compiled a list of things I wish someone told me before I figured it out myself:
You should never feel guilty for taking care of yourself.
Let go of the unrealistic expectation that you should always be prepared, no one is ever always prepared.
Yes, you are in college to get an education and that is important but don’t forget to use this experience to branch out and have fun. You get out what you put in.
You are so much more than your academic or career achievements.
Building relationships with your professors is super valuable. They want to know more about you beyond what they see in class and chances are you’ll confide in them in times of stress. (I know I have)
Comparison is the thief of joy, your journey is your own for a reason. Everyone feels lost at some point even if it may not seem like it.
So yes, being a first generation college student means your college journey was built on sacrifices made by your family. However, being a first generation college student also means that your success was brought by your sacrifices and the pride in being the one to bridge an educational gap that future generations in your family will thank you for.
Vianni Duarte is a third-year Organizational Communications and Marketing student at North Central College. She is the president of the American Marketing Association club, a member of Cardinal First, a first generation college student program, and a member in the college’s Lambda Pi Eta and Tri-Alpha honor societies. Passionate about educational equality, Vianni often spends time researching and sharing meaningful stories, including the experiences of first-generation college students. Outside of academics, she enjoys spending time with family, reading, crafting, and cooking new recipes.