First Year Students: First Generation Students
Welcome!
Welcome First-Generation Students & Families!
Being the first or one of the first in a family to attend college is special and instills great pride within the student and family. We encourage students to remember that they have worked hard to get here and to make the most of this special time in their lives. We encourage parents/family to be proud and supportive of their students. At Bristol Community College we want to remind first-generation college students* that anything and everything is possible use this guide as a handy tool to navigate your way around the different campuses. This guide will also suggest valuable resources to help you be successful at Bristol.
*At Bristol Community College, a student is identified as a first-generation college student if neither parent/guardian earned a college degree.
Message from Michelle Obama
Online Resources to Support First Gen Students
- I'm First!"I’m First! is an online community providing first-generation college students—and those who advise them—with inspiration, information, and support on the road to and through college."
- First Gen College"First Gen College works to help first generation college students to and through college and beyond. We share stories, resources and offer programs to support them on their college and career journeys. We also connect students and recent graduates to professionals and career opportunities."
- "5 Things All First-Generation College Students Should Know" (CSU System News)"Being the first in your family to pursue higher education can be daunting. Here are some encouraging pieces of advice as you enter college," writes Michelle Baik.
- "Making It Through College as a First-Generation College Student" (NBC News Education Nation)"I am where I am today because of the support system I had that stuck by me and never gave up, even though I wanted to give up on myself at times," writes Verlando Brown.
- Empowering First Generation College Students (Facebook Group)An open exchange of resources and information: "This page is for faculty, staff, and administrators who work with and advocate for first-generation college students at institutions nationally. The need for this page was inspired by workshops hosted by the National Resource Center for First-Year Experience and Students In Transition in 2014 and 2015. Membership is open."
- First In Our Families: Digital Stories of First Generation Students"This First Generation Digital Storytelling project explores the use of storytelling and digital social media to give voice to the rarely heard narratives of First Generation college students and graduates. This project is a partnership between Jane Van Galen at the University of Washington Bothell and Class Action."