ASU first-generation students gathered on Zoom Monday night to celebrate National First-Generation Students Day.
These students came together to hold a panel discussing the difficulties of being a first-generation or transfer student and also why these students should be proud of themselves.
“I’m the firstborn and the first to go to college, which is a lot of pressure that was placed on me,” said Elisabeth Johnson, a first-generation student from the Navajo tribe. “Growing up my family would always tell me you have to carry on the family name.”
Johnson has succeeded a lot in college. She graduated with her bachelor’s degree in forensic science and is currently pursuing her master’s degree in the science of healthcare delivery.
During the celebration, the panelists discussed what it means to be a first-generation student at ASU.
“A first-generation student is a student that is the first in their family to pursue a college education,” said Nora Abujbarah, a first-generation college student in her junior year at ASU.
According to the most recent findings available, at ASU, “nearly 30 percent of first-time freshmen were first-generation college students in the fall 2017 semester,” according to the university. “Among total enrollment at the university, including transfer students, about 35 percent were first-generation.”
“It’s immensely important because being the first in your family to do something kind of sets a precedent so that the people coming after you in your family can also attend college.”
Abujbarah emphasized the fact that many first-generation college students have economic setbacks that can hinder their success, but she and her peers have worked hard to overcome those obstacles.
When asked what being a first-generation student meant to Johnson, she reiterated Abujbarah’s point that there are many setbacks.
“As a first-generation student, you are your own teacher, your own support system, your own guide and your own researcher on top of being a student,” said Johnson. “You get the opportunity to make your own experience – you don’t have to fit into somebody else’s shoes.”
Fellow first-generation college student Catalina Flores from the Pascua Yaqui Tribe in Arizona found a lot of difficulties starting college because she couldn’t confide in her family.
“They didn’t really have those experiences,” said Flores. “So when I would have any issues or things that I was struggling with I didn’t really know how to talk about it.”
These first-generation students all shared similar struggles in very different ways. Some of them mentioned having “imposter syndrome,” a psychological feeling of not deserving success and/or doubting one’s accomplishments or skills.
As a student on ASU’s West Campus, Johnson said she is constantly surrounded by predominantly white science students which can make it difficult to feel like she belongs in her field.
“It was very difficult because sitting in a classroom full of 150 people, I was the only brown person,” said Johnson, “And I had to stand up and introduce myself, which was always a very hard thing for me to do.”
Despite encountering obstacles along the way, these first-generation students continue to stay motivated and focused on their futures.
“Keep in mind that your first-gen but you’re not the last-gen,” said Abujbarah. “You’re the first person to do something that many others after you will hopefully accomplish, and as stressful as it can be to be a role model, you’re carving your path as you decide.”
Contact the reporter at shalliwe@asu.edu.
