What Does It Take for First-Generation Students to Survive and Succeed in Higher Education?
Faculty Mentor Name
Jennifer Helgren
Research or Creativity Area
Social Sciences
Abstract
Abstract
This project focuses on what it really takes for first-generation students to survive and
succeed in higher education. Let’s be honest, a lot of first-generation students walk into
college already at a disadvantage. Not because they’re not smart enough, but because they
were never given the same access, guidance, or understanding of how this whole system
works. I’ve seen it myself—students come in motivated, but they’re dealing with real-life
pressure at the same time: financial stress, working jobs, helping family, and still being
expected to show up and perform like everything is equal.
Research shows first-generation students are more likely to work while enrolled, rely on
financial aid, and experience higher levels of stress. A lot of them are balancing school with
responsibilities outside of it, and that adds pressure that people don’t always see. At the
same time, they’re expected to understand things like financial aid, office hours,
internships, and networking without anyone really breaking it down for them. That’s
where a lot of students fall behind or drop out—not because they can’t do the work, but
because they’re learning the system while trying to survive in it.
This study focuses on four areas: financial pressure, navigating the system without
guidance, identity and belonging, and self-advocacy. A lot of first-generation students don’t
feel like they belong in these spaces, and that affects how they move, speak, and show up.But even with all that, they still push through, learn how to advocate for themselves, and
find ways to keep going.
This research poster presentation shows that first-generation students aren’t lacking
ability—they’re navigating systems that never had them in mind, and still finding a way forward.
What Does It Take for First-Generation Students to Survive and Succeed in Higher Education?
Abstract
This project focuses on what it really takes for first-generation students to survive and
succeed in higher education. Let’s be honest, a lot of first-generation students walk into
college already at a disadvantage. Not because they’re not smart enough, but because they
were never given the same access, guidance, or understanding of how this whole system
works. I’ve seen it myself—students come in motivated, but they’re dealing with real-life
pressure at the same time: financial stress, working jobs, helping family, and still being
expected to show up and perform like everything is equal.
Research shows first-generation students are more likely to work while enrolled, rely on
financial aid, and experience higher levels of stress. A lot of them are balancing school with
responsibilities outside of it, and that adds pressure that people don’t always see. At the
same time, they’re expected to understand things like financial aid, office hours,
internships, and networking without anyone really breaking it down for them. That’s
where a lot of students fall behind or drop out—not because they can’t do the work, but
because they’re learning the system while trying to survive in it.
This study focuses on four areas: financial pressure, navigating the system without
guidance, identity and belonging, and self-advocacy. A lot of first-generation students don’t
feel like they belong in these spaces, and that affects how they move, speak, and show up.But even with all that, they still push through, learn how to advocate for themselves, and
find ways to keep going.
This research poster presentation shows that first-generation students aren’t lacking
ability—they’re navigating systems that never had them in mind, and still finding a way forward.
