By Kaliyah Green
Most first-generation college students have to blaze a trail where none existed before.
This means navigating a daunting maze of applications without the help of an experienced individual while also carrying the heavy weight of your family’s hopes and the fear of letting them down.
Financial Pressures
Many first-generation students face limited financial resources and often have to work while attending school to support their families or themselves. Many come from a low-income background and must juggle the daunting responsibilities of financing their education.
In a 2025 study by the Pell Institute, 91% of students that carry student loans were first-generation college students, with 78% concerned with their long-term financial impact.
“Financial pressure is truly a real thing, especially when trying to juggle school and work because, as a college student, it’s hard work,” said Kaniah Williams, a first-generation college student at SUNY Plattsburgh. “It’s pretty difficult to focus on trying to make money and go to college and maintain good grades when I also have to maintain paying for tuition.”
Academic Adjustments
Transitioning to the rigor of college coursework can be tough for some students, especially if their high school experience didn’t fully prepare them for higher education. The shift includes adapting to more stringent deadlines and managing a heavier workload.
Additionally, the focus on critical thinking, research and self driven learning can be overwhelming. According to Academic Obstacles of First-Generation Students at Research Universities, due to family and work demands, first generation students tend not to be as academically engaged as their non-first-generation counterparts.
Overcoming these obstacles requires seeking campus resources, such as tutoring or academic advising and building effective study habits. Developing resilience and time management skills is crucial to thriving in a rigorous academic environment.
Cultural Disconnect
Some students struggle to fit in as they balance their cultural or familial expectations with the new academic and social environment of college. Students tend not to participate in high impact educational practices as frequently as traditional students despite evidence that they benefit from participation on par or even.
According to EBSCO, one-third of first generation college students come from diverse backgrounds.
Some students feel torn between their upbringing and newfound independence. However, finding cultural representation organizations can deepen the sense of belonging, supportive mentors or like minded friends can ease the transition as well.
Navigating this path often requires academic resilience and emotional strength, as students must juggle financial hardships, cultural expectations and a lack of familiarity with college life because of family members not having the experience to pass down.
