A Letter to A First-Gen Student

To all First-Generation College Students, we are so proud of you! You are doing great on everything from SATs to ACTs, college tours to college admissions, and undergraduate to doctoral programs. Some may see a diploma as just a piece of paper, but it's more than that for us. We are all so proud of you! This is an informal letter to my younger self before I started my undergraduate degree, filled with things I wish I knew in the hope of inspiring others.?

Dear Elisia,??

The year is 2015, and you are eagerly applying to colleges. You have swim scholarships lined up, but can't find comfort at any of the colleges you have visited. It was not until a cold Saturday in the winter that you felt at home while visiting a college in Southern California. Home is a complex word for you as you think you have had no home for several years. Without hesitation, you apply, and on the second try, you GET IN! You did not have an athletic scholarship, but you felt the Lord tug at your heart. Girl, freedom is here! We are headed to college! Once you left your hometown, you did not look back.??

You are the first in your family to go away for college, embarking on a journey to study criminal justice and theology. Your path is unique and significant, you are THE FIRST, carving a new trail for your family and future generations.??

In the summer of 2016, you will work three jobs to save for a down payment on a car and buy everything you need for college. Walmart will be your best friend, and you must learn to use Uber until you can afford a car. You will try to register for classes and pick the most random courses since you have no clue what you are doing. You would try to register for upperclassmen apartments without realizing first-year students had to live on campus.? But it will not matter because you know you serve an awesome God, and this is what you've always wanted. You wanted to attend a school where you could worship our savior and study Criminal Justice and Theology.??

When you walk on campus that first week for SOS Week, a week-long orientation program for new students, you will feel different, but you will try your hardest not to let that show. You will ensure that your clothes are clean, your shoes are the newest, and your hair is done. You will look around at your peers as their parents move them in and wonder how they have so much money (granted, you were never "poor," but you never had "let me drop a stack on a pillow" type money). Soon, you will learn that your peers come from generations of college graduates to guide them through this journey. Some SOS Week students will become your closest friends and colleagues if it makes you feel better.??

Before school starts, you will realize you are on campus for a week without snacks. So, you take an Uber by yourself to Target and buy snacks. If you are still determining how you would transport these snacks back without needing assistance from someone, you can also buy a container to put the snacks in. You must then call for an Uber to return to the university. Food has become your comfort zone and safety net; without it, you would feel incomplete.??

School will quickly start, and you will find a campus job. You will only last two weeks as you soon realize you can't survive off college student wages. You will then begin to hustle and find work off-campus to help you continue to save for a car and tuition. Before you know it, anxiety, depression, and conflicting ideations will plague your mind like they never did before. But you will try to hide it as you have successfully been able to for the past 18 years. You feel alone all the time despite having "friends." But GIRL YOU MAKE IT THROUGH! You know no one at home understands the challenges you are facing while in school, so I am writing this letter to you so that you know how to navigate before life GETS TOO HARD. Your resilience is your strength, and you will overcome these challenges.

Imposter Syndrome is real!

It is a psychological pattern in which an individual doubts their accomplishments and fears being exposed as a 'fraud.' It's common among high-achieving individuals, especially in challenging situations like college.

College is a new and challenging environment, and it's natural to feel like an imposter at times. When you feel inadequate and less qualified than your peers, know that you're not alone. Imposter syndrome is a common experience among high-achieving individuals, especially in the demanding context of college. But remember, it's not about what others think.?

Money does not mean happiness?

When you see your peers with expensive possessions, remember that money does not equate to happiness. Don't feel pressured to conform to their culture. Stay true to what you believe in, and remember that comparison is the thief of happiness. Instead, focus on the beauty of your existence and what you have to offer the world.

Ask for help, find community

Remember, asking for help is okay! Joining an affinity group or club of interest can provide valuable support and camaraderie. Cherish your college friends, as they will understand your struggles and can be invaluable allies.

BE YOU!?

Finally, be yourself without hesitation or regret. You are unique, and what you have to say matters. There is a massive plan for you that will change your life, and despite the difficulties, it will be worthwhile in the end. You can and will overcome this.

You are loved,

You