First generation students are individuals who are the first in their families to attend an institution of higher education. It also refers to students whose parents have attained education at or below the high school level. Nationally, first-generations students represent approximately 30 percent of all college enrollments, but have increased in number over the last ten years, according to data from the National Center for Education Statistics. According to the National Council on Family Relations, these individuals embody the realization of social mobility and despite their family background they face many challenges, but there families are often there facilitators of their success.
Here are some other statistics: First generations students are also more likely to work more hours, drop out of a 4-year institution by their second year, have fewer credit hours after three years of college work, attend less selective institutions, and live on campus, according to the Community College Journal of Research and Practice.
It’s well worth our taking a look at the real stories lived by first-generation students that both make up, and counter these statistics.
Eddie Munoz is a senior human relations and first-generation college student at A&M-San Antonio. An only child, he grew up in the Southeast part of town and graduated from Highlands High School. His goal is to pursue a master’s in counseling and guidance, but would like to take a year off to gain more knowledge and hands-on professional experience.
“I want to take a year off, but I’m afraid that if I get a good paying job I will not continue my education,” Munoz said.
Munoz’s parents never went to college, because it was not affordable at the time. When it was his turn to transition, he never thought about higher education. After high school he thought he could get a good paying job. But after months with no results, his family suggested community college. Munoz was against the idea; he had just graduated high school and felt he needed a break.
“Being an only child everyone thinks that you are spoiled, but that is not the case, I feel like my parents are harder on me and have greater expectations,” Munoz said.
After months of pondering what to do, his family gave him an ultimatum: attend college with his parents assistance, or move out and experience the real world on his own. Munoz was still unemployed and was worried that he wouldn’t be able to succeed on his own.
“It’s not that I didn’t like school, but I didn’t want to burden my family with money issues,” Munoz said.
In 2007 he registered at Palo Alto Community College for the fall semester unsure what degree plan to pursue, but began with his basic courses. Munoz describes his college experience as terrifying; he lacked motivation, awareness, and a sense of belonging. In high school he was a straight A student, but in college, he felt he was below average.
Success in college is not just a matter of students demonstrating academic ability, it’s a matter of mastering the “college student” role in order to understand expectations and apply academic expectations, according to research conducted by the International Journal of Higher Education and Educational Planning. Mastering the college student role enables young people to understand their instructor’s expectations and to apply their existing skills to meet those expectations successfully.
“The hardest thing about college was adjusting to the surroundings. I felt like a small fish in a big pond,” Munoz said.
After months of feeling insecure and out of place, Munoz decided to overcome his situation. He studied hard and became more sociable. His grades started to improve and for the first time he had a sense of belonging. He decided on a major. His main attraction to psychology was how humans interact with one another.
“I like to study people and analyzing their behavior, because you can learn so much about a person without ever talking to them,” Munoz said.
After spending two years at community college, Munoz transferred to Texas A&M University-San Antonio for the location and the small atmosphere.
“I also choose Texas A&M University-San Antonio, because it had the lowest tuition,” Munoz said.
Munoz’s junior year, he grew tired of psychology and wanted to pursue something new. He met with advisors and decided on human relations. Changing his degree plan gave him an advantage, he says, because he will be able to apply for graduation in just a year and a half.
Currently, Munoz works part time as work-study in the Welcome Center at Texas A&M University-San Antonio and looks forward to graduation.
