First-generation students often face significant financial challenges, including the need to work more hours outside of school to support themselves and their families. This can add considerable stress and impact academic performance.

Quote: "Visit the financial aid office in person for support and apply for every scholarship or grant for which you are eligible every year." - Joan Rhodes

Coping Strategies:

• Utilize Financial Resources: Visit the financial aid office and apply for scholarships and grants regularly.
• Budgeting and Financial Planning: Make an appointment to meet with a peer money coach for support developing a budget to manage expenses effectively. You can make an appointment here. 

Seek Part-Time Work on Campus: Campus jobs often offer flexible hours that accommodate your class schedule. You can receive support finding the right job by contacting career services.

First-generation students who also identify as racial or ethnic minorities may experience additional layers of stress due to their intersecting identities. This can affect their sense of belonging and access to resources, as they navigate unfamiliar environments and institutional barriers.

Quote: “So many acronyms and secret keys to doors we do not have keys for. When you are a first-generation student, how would you ever know there is an office for X, Y, or Z - because those services/experiences do not exist out in the day-to-day world. So, we struggle to ask for things when we have no idea such a thing would exist.  I overcome these "I wish I would have known" issues by finding key people (mentors, advisors, faculty) - and I talk about what I am doing and whether they have any suggestions or resources that could help me on the path I am describing to them (or the barriers I feel like I am facing).  It is amazing how quickly well-resourced people on a college campus can connect you to offices, people, or forms that you can fill out to fix your issues." - Maggie Tolan

Intersectionality: Challenges for Rural First-Generation Students

Rural first-generation students face unique challenges that intersect with their first-gen status, adding additional layers of complexity to their college experience. Transitioning from a close-knit rural community to a larger college environment can be challenging and isolating.

Quote: “My first-gen and rural experiences have shaped me into the resourceful, resilient, hard-working person I am today. If you WANT to be in college, you belong here, period. It may feel as though you are fitting a square peg into a round hole sometimes, but day-by-day you are expanding your worldview and developing a new lens to view life through! Growth is painful at times, but worth it. Find your community, or others who are going through similar challenges on their journey, so you feel validated and not so alone”. - Sara Rafuse

Coping Strategies:

• Connect with Identity-Based Support Groups: UCS offers a range of identity-based support groups. You can explore and sign up for these groups here. 
• Seek Mentors with Similar Experiences: Find faculty or staff who understand your unique challenges.
• Engage in Self-Care Practices: Prioritize activities that support your mental and emotional well-being.

As the first in their families to attend college, many first-generation students may not have a clear roadmap or guidance on navigating higher education. This can lead to feeling uncertain and overwhelmed. 

Quote: "Your job is not to know all of the answers; your job is to find your experts on campus." - Nicolette L. Zbell

Coping Strategies:

• Connect with You First Mentoring: You First mentors are first-generation college students who serve as guides to new first-generation VCU students.
• Build Your Support Network: Identify and connect with advisors, faculty, and student services.
• Seek Guidance: Don't hesitate to ask questions and seek advice from those who have experience.
• Create a Plan: Develop a clear academic and career plan with the help of advisors.

Many first-gen students struggle with imposter syndrome, doubting their abilities and feeling like they don't belong. This can negatively impact their confidence and academic performance.

Quote: "Be open about your first-gen background with your friends and professors. It will help you avoid going through the struggles alone." - Dave Dixon

Coping Strategies:

• Acknowledge Your Achievements: Celebrate your successes and recognize your hard work.
• Connect with Peers: Participate in You First activities and connect with first-gen students to share experiences.
• Seek Counseling Services: Utilize campus counseling services to address feelings of imposter syndrome.
• Mentoring: Seek Mentorship through You First
• Utilize Self-help coping skills: How to overcome impostor phenomenon

Family obligations can be a significant source of stress for first-gen students. They often feel a sense of responsibility to support their families, both emotionally and financially, which can be overwhelming.

Quote: " My family was very proud of me but in a way, it led to me feeling a lot of pressure to succeed and that I needed to make up for generations of my family who didn't have the opportunities I had. Once I realized it wasn't really about "me" and that just being in a position to attend college and earn a professional degree was more than enough, this became easier to accept." - Dave Dixon

Coping Strategies:

• Communicate with Family: Keep open lines of communication with your family about your academic commitments.
• Set Boundaries: Learn to set healthy boundaries to balance family responsibilities and academic demands.
• Seek Support: Reach out to UCS for counseling services to gain support.
• Student- Parents Resources: Learn more about resources available to students who are parenting at VCU Child Development Center and  UCS

Finding a supportive community on campus can be challenging. First-gen students may feel isolated or disconnected from their peers who have more familial support and understanding of college life.

Quote: "Find your community, or others who are going through similar challenges on their journey, so you feel validated and not so alone." - Sara Rafuse

Coping Strategies:

• Join Student Organizations: Participate in clubs and organizations that align with your interests.
• Attend Campus Events: Engage in campus activities to meet new people and build connections.
• Find Your People: Look for groups and communities where you feel a sense of belonging.

There are often barriers to seeking help, including a lack of awareness about available resources and services, as well as cultural or personal stigmas around asking for help.

Quote: "Whenever possible put your ego to the side and ask as many questions as possible! First-gen students are used to trying to figure everything out on their own; that's a double edge sword when you get to higher education. You are here to ask questions, get HELP, and to learn... not to demonstrate what you already know. Be as vulnerable as you can be, and let others help you, including your professors.” – Sara Rafuse

Coping Strategies:

• Be Proactive: Actively seek out information about campus resources and services.
• Normalize Help-Seeking: Understand that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
• Use Campus Resources: Utilize academic advising, counseling services, and other support services available to you.

It's important to clarify that this does not mean first-gen students do not have strong, loving families. Rather, their families may not be able to guide them through the college process or provide financial support due to their own lack of experience with higher education.

Quote: "As a first-generation student, I had to rely on the resources that were available through my academic advisor and instructors to navigate some of the university systems that my parents had not experienced." - Joan Rhodes

Coping Strategies:

• Leverage Campus Resources: Rely on academic advisors, faculty, and student services for guidance.
• Build a Support Network: Create a network of mentors and peers who can provide support.
• Communicate Your Needs: Clearly communicate your academic and financial needs to your family.