Entering college as a first-generation student can certainly be daunting at times. Being the first and only individual in my family to pursue an undergraduate degree straight after high school, I have lived the first-generation experience. From having to learn everything about all the different aspects of college—like the different application components, financial aid options, and career options on my own—I genuinely believe that these experiences have contributed to much of the resilience and motivation I carry with me during the rigorous academic year.

 As the son of a father who immigrated from Michoacan, Mexico, I have always known the importance of education, especially since hearing about my father’s sacrifices, which ultimately caused him to stop his education after the fifth grade. Although the first-generation experience may be challenging, I am so proud to be a first-generation student navigating a speech-language pathology program! I plan to complete my B.A. in Speech-Language Pathology from the California State University, Long Beach (CSULB), to show that with a great deal of resilience and motivation, you can achieve anything.

With entering my third year in the Speech Language-Pathology program at CSULB, I have compiled a list of four tips to make the most of your CSD program as a first-generation student!

1. Join Clubs and Organizations That Expose You to Other Students Like You

Not having many personal connections familiar with the college experience, I relied heavily on two programs: (a) my university’s Honors Peer Mentoring program and (b) another peer mentoring program coordinated by my school’s local NSSLHA chapter.

CSULB’s Honors Peer Mentoring Program

CSULB offers the Honors Peer Mentoring program to interested students. It’s a 10-week program that pairs incoming first-year students with current Honors students to help make the new students’ transition to college as smooth as possible.

Fortunately, my Honors mentor was also a speech-language pathology major, so I gained valuable insights into the program from the perspective of someone already in it. While being my mentor, she advised me to check out our university’s NSSHLA chapter, which allowed me to capitalize upon the advantages that a local NSSHLA chapter has to offer.

This was the first time I was surrounded by other speech-language pathology majors in a nonacademic setting, and as a “green” first-year student, I was excited to take in every piece of advice anyone had to offer—which is how I discovered my second peer mentoring program.

Local NSSLHA Chapter Peer Mentoring Program

Through my school’s NSSHLA chapter, I was able to join their Peer Mentoring Program, where I was paired with another peer mentor within the major. This specific mentoring program helped me a lot—because my mentor was two cohorts ahead of me, I ran to her with any questions I had about my pre-reqs.

Two Programs, One Grateful Student

Ultimately, if it weren’t for these two programs, my first year as a first-generation student would have been 10 times more difficult. If your school offers any club or organization that connects you with other students, I suggest trying it out—you have nothing to lose! And, who knows, you may meet an individual who can not only mentor you but can also guide you as you grow in your career—from a newbie student to a competent, skilled clinician.

2. Attend Office Hours

I had trouble adjusting to college life during my first semester of undergrad. Because the college lifestyle was far different from my environment at home, I struggled to adapt to this very different life—and my grades slipped. The grade that dropped the most was the only speech-language pathology class I was taking at the time! I was 100% certain that this was the major I wanted to complete, but something was preventing me from getting the grade that I wanted.

With the mounting fear in my mind that I would complete the class with a C or lower, I urgently made an effort to attend the office hours of the professor who taught this specific class. Attending the professor’s office hours taught me one of the most fundamental aspects of college academic life—advocating for yourself. By proactively facing my concerns head-on and sharing my struggles with the professor, I gained insight and took advice that eventually allowed me to pass the class.

My most significant piece of advice is this: Don’t just attend your classes—go to the office hours, too—especially if you’re finding the class hard to navigate. But remember: You don’t have to be struggling in class to justify attending office hours. More often than not, you’ll want these professors to write your letters of recommendation in the future, so it’s a good idea to show them your genuine interest in the field and get to know them as professionals—and as real people who are human just like you.

3. Build Solid Study Habits Early

My “pro tip” for succeeding in college is having consistent, serious study habits! One technique that I’ve found very helpful, especially during finals week, is the Pomodoro Technique. I allow myself 5 minutes to relax after every 25 minutes of studying: It makes studying seem manageable. You can set a timer on your phone/computer or download one of the free apps.

Another thing that sets me up for success is having a very detailed calendar for all the courses I am taking. I typically use Google Calendar. At the start of every semester, when syllabi are released, I enter every deadline for every assignment for every course. By doing this, I can keep track of all my tasks for all my classes. 

Another way to make sure your goals are doable is to make sure they follow the S.M.A.R.T criteria. This means ensuring that your goals are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-relevant.

Striving too hard can lead to burnout! Creating balance and engaging in regular self-care are essential when setting academic goals.

4. Be Kind to Yourself

The most crucial advice I can give you is never be hard on yourself! As first-generation students, we often face a lot of pressure because we are the first in our families to achieve this milestone. Although I feel this pressure at times, I am grateful for the opportunity to show my family the importance and power of a college degree.

One important lesson I learned when I first came to Long Beach—one that has stayed with me throughout college—is that everyone has their own unique path to reaching their goals. Any path that leads you to your goals is the right one for you! So, don’t compare yourself to others or try to be something or someone you’re not; you are on your own correct path.

Along this journey, I have come to understand that while I want to experience all the opportunities my major has to offer, I will only be able to take advantage of some. It’s important to accept that not every opportunity will come your way. This realization led me to embrace the mantra “rejection is redirection.” A similar Spanish saying that embodies this sentiment is lo que es pa’ ti, nadie te lo quita. By keeping these mantras close to my heart, I am able to overcome setbacks, knowing that I’ve done my best.

Remember: It’s key to be kind to yourself—and to understand that your unique path is absolutely the right one for you. Always remember you are on the right path—just go out and échale ganas!