My name is Roo Gibson-Andersen, and I am a freshman majoring in psychology and minoring in philosophy at the University of Montana. My experience as a first-generation student has been great so far, but it has also been a long and difficult road. Still, I have plenty of support, and I will always encourage others to strive to be their best.
I feel as though I am walking an uncharted path, as none of my family has ever gone to college before. I felt alone. I had no guidance as to how to do anything college-related. But I was determined, and though I faced many challenges with registering for classes, financial aid, housing, etc. I did it, and I am now at the college that little me had dreamed of.
My Story
Neither of my parents graduated from high school due to having children at a young age. And since I was a kid, I had always dreamed of going to college. My parents did support me; however, I grew up in many unfortunate circumstances. My father struggled with addiction, and my mother was largely absent most of my life. It was basically just me and my brothers.
For six years of my life, I was homeless. I lived with my father, and he made some questionable decisions when I was young that led to this. I was left with having to raise my younger brother and take care of my father at the same time.
I had an opportunity to move in with my mom and took it. I was finally fed up with my father making us kids pay for his mistakes. I learned that my father over-exaggerated or lied about things my mother did in her past. I got to spend quality time with her, and it bettered my mental health. I became an exceptional high school student, and it just seemed like life was going up.
However, in February of 2024, my mom passed away. This was devastating to my family and me. I took a gap year from college to better myself after such a loss. Thereafter, I became the caregiver to my family once again. For a moment, I considered not going to college at all. That was until I decided to coach for my speech and debate team back home.
While I was coaching, I was given amazing advice from those older than me. I decided that I would not let my adversities bring me down and make it so I could not accomplish my dreams. I re-applied for the University of Montana and got accepted right away. I received overwhelming support from my peers and mentors, and this is where I decided my journey was not over.
The Challenges of Being a First-Generation Student
Despite my past adversities and the support system I built around myself, I still had no idea how to do anything. I was completely lost. I suppose this is how many first-generation students feel. With no one around who knows the college route, it’s challenging to figure it out on your own.
I had major troubles with FAFSA. Mainly because I am also an independent student. I tried emailing and calling the financial aid department. However, being a visual learner, it was difficult to understand everything they wanted me to do. I found it easiest to go to the financial aid office in person and talk to them directly. This was a great help, as they taught me how to do everything.
Then I had trouble with registering for housing and classes. The university website was difficult to navigate, and I have heard this is true for many other universities. After getting extremely familiar with the university website, I was able to apply for housing. Though I still was not assigned an advisor. Eventually, I contacted the college, and they got me in touch with my advisor, and I got registered for classes.
My advisor even showed me how to apply for TRIO support. TRIO is a program for first-generation students, low-income students, and students with disabilities. This program has had a huge impact on my college life. They offer free tutoring sessions, academic support, financial guidance, etc.
Advice for First-Generation Students
My advice for any first-generation student is to never give up. If this is something you really aspire to do, then do it. I also encourage you to ask for help. Ask questions, even if it is a simple question. Reach out to someone in charge, and I promise they will help you. So never be afraid to ask for guidance. Some things may not work out, and that is just fine, but keep going.
Don’t let your past dictate what you want to become. I went through more than what I could write about, but what matters is that I’m still here. I made it, and I am so happy that I did. Always be proud of your accomplishments, even if you feel like no one else is. Even little things. Be proud of yourself and how far you’ve come.
The journey gets easier once you learn everything you need to know. Knowledge is the best thing to have in any situation. Go to offices. Talk to the ones who can help. They will teach you how to do everything that you need to do to succeed.
I am proud to be a first-generation student. This is a huge accomplishment for me and my family. I never thought I could get this far, but I pushed through. I am becoming the person I strived to be, and I deeply encourage you to do the same. Never give up, no matter how difficult it may be.
