First Generation College Students

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First-generation Students More than one-third of undergraduates enrolled in bachelor's degree programs in 2016 were first-generation college attendees, and although many first-generation college students originate from low-income families, statistics showed it doubled within the course of five years (Nam, 2023). First-generation students are students who have neither in the immediate family attained post-secondary education (Cataldi et al, 2018; Redford & Hoyer, 2017). They are more likely to be from poorer socioeconomic backgrounds, members of minority groups, and more likely not to get a degree than non-first-generation students, according to US studies as noted by the Center for First-generation Student Success. Patfield et al. al. (2021) …show more content…
Moreover, issues with low parental socio-economic status hinder the academic success of these students the most, but they still look at their situation as a source of strength. This is because they are goal-oriented, self-motivated, motivated by their social networks, strive to achieve their goals to become the pride of their families, and even take pride in their identity as they perceive college education as a way to a better lifestyle (Ramachandra, 2022; Evans et al., 2020; Knudsen, 2018; Adams & McBryer, 2020). Studies imply the importance of generational status as students whose parents did not attend college are reported to experience uncertainty, lead to confusion, perceived academic skills deficits, unpreparedness, and anxiety about the college experience and what to expect when attending college resulting in low academic performance and health issues (Gnatowski, 2022; Ricks & Warren, 2021). FGCS students often face difficulties due to a lack of cultural capital and family support (Bharucha, 2021; Babineau, …show more content…
Wayda Cosme, on the other hand, was the first Aeta lawyer in Philippine history, who passed the bar exam at the age of 26, and attended the United Nations’ 20th session working group on indigenous peoples in Geneva, Switzerland (Cervantes, 2002). In the entertainment industry, Jonalyn Ablong raised the banner of Aetas being nominated in Gawad Urian as Best Actress in her breakthrough performance on Manoro (2006) and currently known for Ari: My Life with a King (2015), Black Rainbow (2021). Other notable Aeta individuals include Arjohn Gilbert, a YouTube singing sensation; Ronagie Gilbert, winner of the first Laguning Aeta Pageant; and Jun Ablong and Naval Dumlao, Aeta gold medalists at the first ASEAN tribal games (Cervantes, 2010). The current study seeks to benefit the first-generation indigenous college graduates themselves as this study can be an avenue for them to stipulate their lived experiences being the first in the family to finish undergraduate
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