Let’s Put First-Generation Students First

By Davina Srioudom

When I first applied to colleges, I didn’t know where to start. I was confused about the process of applications and financial aid. There isn’t a place to go for guidance when you have a few counselors for thousands of students. I had to figure it out independently, as my mom spoke limited English and my dad worked long hours to provide for our family. As a first-generation student, I am rarely provided with the resources needed to figure out the necessary steps towards college. While other students could rely on their parents, I had to figure out these things on my own, on top of balancing my classes and extracurriculars 

For me and many others, we pursue higher education because it’s our opportunity to do better by our parents. It’s our opportunity to learn the tools and knowledge necessary to leave a transformative impact on our communities. We come from so many diverse backgrounds, full of unique, lived experiences.  We want to develop the skills to shape the world into a better, more empathetic place. Yet, it speaks volumes about our education system that first generation students and communities of color are so unsupported. We’re constantly encouraged to step up and undo the damage caused from previous generations, but how can this be possible when we continually underfund our schools and withhold vital resources from our most marginalized communities? 

We’re tired of empty promises to support our youth. It’s now time for feasible, bold actions, starting with fully funding our schools. We must allocate more support and resources to our first generation students, to  empower and educate them to build the pathways needed to combat racial, environmental, and generational injustice. THIS is what it’ll take to truly close the racial equity gap, once and for all.