Being a first-generation student—a student whose parents or guardians have not graduated from a four-year college or university—can feel intimidating at first, and for me, it certainly was. However, as you move through college, you learn how to navigate challenges and find your place. As a first-generation student, I often felt lost and unsure, especially at the beginning of my college journey. Fortunately, I found support through the Diversity Center and its Necessary Steps Mentoring Program. I also connected with friends who shared similar experiences, which helped make my transition to college much smoother.

The Necessary Steps Mentoring Program (NSMP) is a Living Learning Community designed to help first-generation students transition to college life. Students can even live on the same residence hall floor as other NSMP participants during their first two years and receive support from a mentor.

For me, being part of the program made the transition to college much easier. It provided a strong sense of community at UIS. Through professional development events and team-bonding activities, I made meaningful connections with other first-generation students.

One thing that really helped me was seeing people who have been in my shoes also finding their way in college. This made me feel like there were students my age, with a similar background that could help me when I felt lost.

The Diversity Center at UIS is a place for community and connection, and it really helped with my experience being a first-generation student. Being able to share a space with other people from a variety of backgrounds allowed me to feel a strong sense of belonging and connection with others. The Diversity Center also hosts a lot of events throughout the year for the entire UIS community, and it helped me connect with others across campus.

Through these events, I made some of my best friends, which also helped my college journey go smoother. Finding friends in college has also helped me navigate being first-gen. It can seem intimidating to find friends at first, especially when you feel out-of-place to begin with. Making friends allows you to form a support system other than mentors and professors. With friends, you can form a different bond. My friends ended up being like my family. They helped me de-stress from school, especially during exam seasons. While my friends and I all had different majors, we would still get together to do homework at the Student Union or at each other's houses.

Being the first in your family to go to college can make it seem like there’s a lot of pressure to succeed. While you should strive for success, it’s important to also realize that it’s your first time in this situation, so you shouldn’t feel bad for not knowing something. 

While it may be easier said than done, you should always try to enjoy your time at college. It's an experience that you have earned and deserve, so don’t stop yourself from experiencing these new opportunities.

Written by:

Valeria Mendoza

Communication, MA

Graduate Assistant - Marketing and Media Strategy