A Guide For Incoming First Generation College Students
Embarking on the adventure of college life as a first-generation student is an exciting yet undoubtedly challenging experience. A first-generation college student is defined as a student whose parent(s) have not completed a bachelor's degree. This means that you are the first person in your family to attain a bachelor's degree. Regardless of whether or not your family went to college, beginning college can feel like diving into something totally new and terrifying. I know, because I was in those shoes just a year ago. After a few semesters of settling into college, I've written about a few topics that I felt lost on when I first arrived. This blog serves as a guide I wish I had read before starting college myself as a first-generation college student.
College Classes 101
Great, you’re ready to go to college! But…how does college work? Before the semester begins, you’ll meet with your academic advisor to make your schedule, discuss your classes, and address any concerns or questions you may have. Your academic advisor can also connect you with resources to help with financial aid, the disability resource center, and anything else you may have questions about. Being the first to go through college comes with many questions - don't be afraid to ask them! There are many resources available that are happy to help you through your college experience.
Classes can begin as early as 7:30 AM, and the latest classes typically end by 6 PM. When scheduling your classes, make sure to note when you will eat breakfast and lunch, when you will study and do homework, and any work hours you may have. Keep in mind that you are the sole person in charge of your time now, and, especially as an engineering student, you will have to learn how to allocate your time wisely. I personally like to keep all my classes as close together as possible, but others also like to incorporate breaks between their classes and space them out. Sometimes your class schedule might not be the most ideal, but with good time management skills, you can make the most of what you have. When scheduling classes back-to-back, meaning that as one class ends another begins, there will typically be a 10-minute break between them that allows you to walk from class to class. Though this may seem daunting, rest assured that it is enough time for you to get across campus, if needed. You can also bring a skateboard or bicycle to get around campus faster, but be sure to bring a lock to keep them safe. For those particularly chilly days or when you simply don't feel like walking, Purdue also has a convenient bus system that goes around campus and is free for all Purdue students.
Classes typically go for 50-75 minutes, with the exception of labs, which can go for up to 3 hours. Some classes only meet once a week, and are typically only one credit hour. Credit hours are the number of credits you get after passing the class, and are typically related to how much time the class takes up. Homework and lab assignments vary between classes, so be sure to mark them down in a planner or schedule to keep track of them. Classes can also offer office hours, which are times dedicated for students to get one-on-one help with the professor and/or teaching assistants with anything you might be struggling with. There are also free tutoring programs available, such as the Women In Engineering Tutor Program, that you can take advantage of to get more one-on-one help with homework and class concepts.
Life On Campus
Living in a college campus is like living in a small but popular town. It is small enough for you to be able to walk to all of your classes, the gym, dining courts, and other shops. There is also downtown Lafayette, which you can get to by bus, that has a lot of different restaurants and shops. When navigating campus, make use of a map to help you! I've found Google Maps to be particularly useful when trying to find my classes and the dining courts. After walking around for a while, you'll realize that the Purdue campus is far easier to navigate than it may seem at first.
Purdue’s campus has a number of dining options within a walkable distance from the dorms, including five dining courts and select retail spots. Dining courts can open as early as 7 AM and close as late as 9 PM. Dining courts can be accessed with meal swipes or with payment, and are set up as an all-you-can-eat style, with the option of getting a to-go container instead of sitting in. The Purdue Memorial Union, or the PMU, is also a great spot near the academic buildings to use your meal swipes and stay close to classes.
Living in a dorm may seem scary at first, but it is a great opportunity to decorate to your heart’s content and create a comfortable environment to come back from classes in. Roommates can make great friends, but make sure to set ground rules so that you’re both on the same page, such as when you plan on waking up and going to sleep, if you’re comfortable with visitors, and keeping the room tidy. Make sure to keep your room key on you, and keep your valuables in a secure area. Purdue also provides a great list for what to bring to your dorm. For many first-gen college students, this is their first experience being away from home for such a long time. I was definitely scared of my newfound freedom at first - what was I supposed to do with all this time? With a good schedule and routine, you'll surely settle in faster than you know it.
Social Life
Keeping a good balance between your academic and social life is very important. It can get very easy to get lost in your schoolwork. While academics should be your first priority, it is important to find your community and make the most of your college experience. Getting involved in clubs and different programs is a great way to meet others with similar interests. Greek life is also a popular way to meet others. There are more than 80 fraternities and sororities represented at Purdue, which include the National Pan-Hellenic Council, which includes the 9 historically African-American fraternities and sororities, the Multicultural Greek Council, which includes 10 multicultural fraternities and sororities, and Panhellenic Association, which includes 20 fraternities and sororities.
Purdue offers over 1,000 organizations for you to get involved, and intramural sports are a great way to continue playing a sport you enjoy or even trying a new one. The Purdue Student Union Board also plans events regularly, and these can be a great way to connect with other students. The Women In Engineering program is an especially great way to connect with other women in engineering and build a strong support system.
First-Gen Support Systems
The challenges of being the first in your family to pursue higher education can get overwhelming, but forming connections with fellow first-gen students helps to create a crucial support system. This network becomes a source of shared experiences, understanding, and encouragement. There are specialized support programs for first-gen students that offer mentorship opportunities, workshops, financial aid assistance, and resources that cater to our unique needs. For example, Horizons Student Support Services: A TRIO Program, is a program specifically meant for first-generation students that provides support in academic, social, and personal development. There are services offered in tutoring, career guidance, financial literacy education, and cultural enrichment. There is also the Purdue Promise program, a program meant for first-generation students that are also 21st Century Scholars that provides academic support and classes meant to guide you in your first and last year of semester.
There are also clubs on campus meant to aid and connect with first-generation students, such as the First-Generation Student Club and the First-Generation Engineers club. In addition to all of these programs and clubs, Purdue hosts a 'First-Gen Week’ in the fall that includes a reception, celebrations, luncheons, and speakers to honor the anniversary of the signing of the Higher Education Act of 1965. These events are a great way to connect with other first-gen students, get connected with resources around campus, and celebrate your greatness as a first generation college student!
We hope that this guide will help you prepare for and adjust to your upcoming college experience. Being the first in your family to attend college comes with its own challenges, but it also comes with the opportunity to be the first to experience these new things, so make the most of your college experience! In the meantime, if you have questions, comments or want to find more about being a first generation Engineering Purdue student, tag us, leave a comment, or follow us!
Cynthia Castañeda, Computer Engineering '26
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