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The Washington Post

PostEverything

Guilt is one of the biggest struggles first-generation college students face

Too many colleges overlook the problems of their first-generation students.

By By Linda Banks-SantilliLinda Banks-Santilli   June 3, 2015June 3, 2015

Linda Banks-Santilli is an associate professor of education at Wheelock College.Linda Banks-Santilli is an associate professor of education at Wheelock College.

First-generation college students, or students whose parents have not earned a four-year degree, face unique psychologicalFirst-generation college students, or students whose parents have not earned a four-year degree, face unique psychological

challenges.challenges.

Although perhaps supportive of higher education, their parents and family members may view their entry into college as Although perhaps supportive of higher education, their parents and family members may view their entry into college as a breaka break

in the family systemin the family system rather than a continuation of their schooling. rather than a continuation of their schooling.

In families, role assignments about work, family, religion and community are passed down through the generations creatingIn families, role assignments about work, family, religion and community are passed down through the generations creating

“intergenerational continuity.”“intergenerational continuity.” When a family member disrupts this system by choosing to attend college, he or she experiences When a family member disrupts this system by choosing to attend college, he or she experiences

a shift in identity, leading to a sense of loss. Not prepared for this loss, many first-generation students may come to develop a shift in identity, leading to a sense of loss. Not prepared for this loss, many first-generation students may come to develop twotwo

different identitiesdifferent identities – one for home and another for college. – one for home and another for college.

As a former first-generation college student who is now an associate professor of education, I have lived this double life. MyAs a former first-generation college student who is now an associate professor of education, I have lived this double life. My

desire to help other first-generation students resulted in desire to help other first-generation students resulted in researchresearch that provides insights into the lived experiences of first- that provides insights into the lived experiences of first-

generation students at generation students at Wheelock CollegeWheelock College, a small college in Boston, Massachusetts, that has a high percentage of first-, a small college in Boston, Massachusetts, that has a high percentage of first-

generation students. In 2010, 52 percent of our incoming undergraduates were first-generation college students.generation students. In 2010, 52 percent of our incoming undergraduates were first-generation college students.

Nationally, of the 7.3 million undergraduates attending four-year public and private colleges and universities, Nationally, of the 7.3 million undergraduates attending four-year public and private colleges and universities, about 20 percentabout 20 percent

are first-generationare first-generation students. About 50 percent of all first-generation college students in the U.S. are students. About 50 percent of all first-generation college students in the U.S. are low-income.low-income. These These

students are also more likely to be a member of a racial or ethnic minority group.students are also more likely to be a member of a racial or ethnic minority group.

Why do they decide to go to college?Why do they decide to go to college?

Most first-generation students decide to apply to college to meet the requirements of their preferred profession. But unlikeMost first-generation students decide to apply to college to meet the requirements of their preferred profession. But unlike

students whose parents have earned a degree, they also often see college as a way to students whose parents have earned a degree, they also often see college as a way to “bring honor to their families.”“bring honor to their families.”

In fact, studies show that a vast majority of first-generation college students go to college in order to help their families: In fact, studies show that a vast majority of first-generation college students go to college in order to help their families: 6969

percent of these studentspercent of these students say they want to help their families, compared to 39 percent of students whose parents have earned a say they want to help their families, compared to 39 percent of students whose parents have earned a

degree. This desire also extends to the community, with 61 percent of first-generation college students wanting to give back todegree. This desire also extends to the community, with 61 percent of first-generation college students wanting to give back to

their communities compared to 43 percent of their non-first-generation peers.their communities compared to 43 percent of their non-first-generation peers.

And while their families often view them as their “savior,” “delegate,” or a way out of poverty and less desirable livingAnd while their families often view them as their “savior,” “delegate,” or a way out of poverty and less desirable living

conditions, many first-generation students struggle with what has been described as conditions, many first-generation students struggle with what has been described as “breakaway guilt.”“breakaway guilt.” Their decision to pursue Their decision to pursue

higher education comes with the price of leaving their families behind.higher education comes with the price of leaving their families behind.

They may feel they’re abandoning parents or siblings who depend on them. And families, too, may have conflicted feelings: first-They may feel they’re abandoning parents or siblings who depend on them. And families, too, may have conflicted feelings: first-

generation college students’ desire for education and upward mobility may be viewed as a rejection of their past. Perceived asgeneration college students’ desire for education and upward mobility may be viewed as a rejection of their past. Perceived as

different at home and at school, first-generation college students often feel like they don’t belong to either place.different at home and at school, first-generation college students often feel like they don’t belong to either place.

The challenge for higher education is to recognize the psychological impact that first-generation status has on its students andThe challenge for higher education is to recognize the psychological impact that first-generation status has on its students and

to provide help.to provide help.

First­generation students lack resourcesFirst­generation students lack resources

Not all first-generation college students are the same, but many experience difficulty within four distinct domains: 1)Not all first-generation college students are the same, but many experience difficulty within four distinct domains: 1)

professional, 2) financial, 3) psychological and 4) academic.professional, 2) financial, 3) psychological and 4) academic.

Most of all, they need professional mentoring. They are the ones most likely to work at the mall during the summer rather thanMost of all, they need professional mentoring. They are the ones most likely to work at the mall during the summer rather than

in a professional internship. They can’t afford to work for free, and their parents do not have professional networks.in a professional internship. They can’t afford to work for free, and their parents do not have professional networks.

Often, first-generation students apply only to a single college and do that without help. They can’t afford multiple applicationOften, first-generation students apply only to a single college and do that without help. They can’t afford multiple application

fees and they are unsure of how to determine a good fit, as their parents have not taken them on the college tour.fees and they are unsure of how to determine a good fit, as their parents have not taken them on the college tour.

Many first-generation students fill out the financial aid forms themselves. As one FG college student Many first-generation students fill out the financial aid forms themselves. As one FG college student explainedexplained::

“They put all these numbers down and expect you to know what each one means. My mother doesn’t know“They put all these numbers down and expect you to know what each one means. My mother doesn’t know

and she expects me to find out and then tell her how it all works.”and she expects me to find out and then tell her how it all works.”

First-generation students First-generation students worryworry about the families they leave behind and try to figure out how to support them. One first- about the families they leave behind and try to figure out how to support them. One first-

generation student managed to enroll in college but was still worried about her mother’s lack of support. Miles away from homegeneration student managed to enroll in college but was still worried about her mother’s lack of support. Miles away from home

on a college campus for the first time, she divided her time each semester between paying her parents’ bills online andon a college campus for the first time, she divided her time each semester between paying her parents’ bills online and

completing her assignments. Her parents didn’t own a computer or know how to use one.completing her assignments. Her parents didn’t own a computer or know how to use one.

Stigma of being a first­generation college studentStigma of being a first­generation college student

Colleges need to recognize that first-generation students do not easily come forward to seek help. Even though there are manyColleges need to recognize that first-generation students do not easily come forward to seek help. Even though there are many

successful former first-generation role models – such as First Lady successful former first-generation role models – such as First Lady Michelle ObamaMichelle Obama, U.S. Supreme Court Justice , U.S. Supreme Court Justice SoniaSonia

SotomayorSotomayor and U.S. Senator from Massachusetts and U.S. Senator from Massachusetts Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth Warren – there is considerable stigma associated with first- – there is considerable stigma associated with first-

generation status. As a result, some of these students may choose to remain invisible. Once they identify, their academic ability,generation status. As a result, some of these students may choose to remain invisible. Once they identify, their academic ability,

achievement and performance may be achievement and performance may be underestimatedunderestimated by others. Their background is viewed as a deficit rather than a strength. by others. Their background is viewed as a deficit rather than a strength.

And they are unnecessarily pitied by others, especially if low-income.And they are unnecessarily pitied by others, especially if low-income.

In extreme cases, other students and faculty may question their right to be on campus. Low-income, first-generation collegeIn extreme cases, other students and faculty may question their right to be on campus. Low-income, first-generation college

students may arrive to college with fewer resources and more academic needs, making them students may arrive to college with fewer resources and more academic needs, making them targets for discriminationtargets for discrimination. In a. In a

recent recent New York Times videoNew York Times video on first-generation students at Ivy League colleges, a student at Brown University who was born in on first-generation students at Ivy League colleges, a student at Brown University who was born in

Colombia told faculty that she was from New Jersey to avoid having to reveal that she was a first-generation college student.Colombia told faculty that she was from New Jersey to avoid having to reveal that she was a first-generation college student.

But, there is another side to the story as well.But, there is another side to the story as well.

There are first-generation students who view their status as a source of strength. It becomes their single most importantThere are first-generation students who view their status as a source of strength. It becomes their single most important

motivator to earning their degree. These students are driven and determined. They can perform academically in ways that aremotivator to earning their degree. These students are driven and determined. They can perform academically in ways that are

equal to or even better than students whose parents have earned a degree. These students too may benefit from a support groupequal to or even better than students whose parents have earned a degree. These students too may benefit from a support group

to help alleviate the internal pressure they place on themselves to succeed.to help alleviate the internal pressure they place on themselves to succeed.

How colleges can help first­generation studentsHow colleges can help first­generation students

First-generation college students need customized attention and support that differs from students whose parents have earned aFirst-generation college students need customized attention and support that differs from students whose parents have earned a

degree. They need to feel like they belong at their college or university and deserve to be there.degree. They need to feel like they belong at their college or university and deserve to be there.

Higher education, with its unique culture, language and history, can be difficult for first-generation college students toHigher education, with its unique culture, language and history, can be difficult for first-generation college students to

understand. Students whose parents have attended college benefit from their parents’ experiences. They come through the doorunderstand. Students whose parents have attended college benefit from their parents’ experiences. They come through the door

understanding what a syllabus is, why the requirement for liberal arts courses exists and how to establish relationships withunderstanding what a syllabus is, why the requirement for liberal arts courses exists and how to establish relationships with

faculty. They can call their parents to ask for help on a paper or to ask questions about a citation method. They can discuss afaculty. They can call their parents to ask for help on a paper or to ask questions about a citation method. They can discuss a

classic novel they have both read.classic novel they have both read.

This research has raised awareness on the Wheelock campus that has led to positive change. In 2014,the college applied for aThis research has raised awareness on the Wheelock campus that has led to positive change. In 2014,the college applied for a

First In the World federal grantFirst In the World federal grant to help implement a new first-generation program. Though we were not awarded a grant in the to help implement a new first-generation program. Though we were not awarded a grant in the

first round of competition, we will continue to seek funding.first round of competition, we will continue to seek funding.

Colleges and universities have the ability to redesign their institutional cultures, teaching practices and academic supportColleges and universities have the ability to redesign their institutional cultures, teaching practices and academic support

services to be more inclusive of first-generation college students. For instance, they can offer required courses in a variety ofservices to be more inclusive of first-generation college students. For instance, they can offer required courses in a variety of

different formats (hybrid, on-line, face-to-face) and timings (between semesters, during summers) to help first-different formats (hybrid, on-line, face-to-face) and timings (between semesters, during summers) to help first-

generation students reduce degree completion time and save money. They can recruit former first-generation faculty membersgeneration students reduce degree completion time and save money. They can recruit former first-generation faculty members

to advise and mentor students. A web page for first-generation students and families can be created that features successto advise and mentor students. A web page for first-generation students and families can be created that features success

stories, user-friendly financial aid as well as scholarship information, and links to other opportunities.stories, user-friendly financial aid as well as scholarship information, and links to other opportunities.

With the right support from institutions of higher education, first-generation students can earn their degree, reinventWith the right support from institutions of higher education, first-generation students can earn their degree, reinvent

themselves and reposition their families in positive ways for generations to come.themselves and reposition their families in positive ways for generations to come.

This article was originally published on This article was originally published on The ConversationThe Conversation. Read the . Read the original articleoriginal article..

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Linda Banks-Santilli is an associate professor of education at Wheelock College.