First Gen Friday is a monthly first-person narrative written by other first generation college students who are now fellow faculty, staff, and students at Ohio State Marion. The goal of the stories is to provide advice to other first generation college students and create a sense of belonging among the campus community.
The Ohio State University considers a student a first generation college student if neither parent earned a four-year degree. Aside from the definition, what does it mean to be a first gen student? For me, it meant pride, determination, adjusting plans, and enjoying the process. My parents were high school sweethearts, getting married two weeks after my mom graduated high school. My dad had graduated two years before and had been serving in the United States Army while waiting for mom, who spent her last two years of high school at a career and technical center learning about early childhood education and preparing to be a teaching assistant/childcare provider.
I was born at Darnall Army Hospital in Ft. Hood, Texas. After three years, we moved to Rock Hill, South Carolina and my parents continued with their military/teaching positions. When I was approaching kindergarten graduation, my parents decided to move back home to Ohio as I’d be entering first grade, providing a home community and family nearby. I attended the same small, rural school district that my parents graduated from and many friends’ parents graduated with or around the time of my parents. It was nice to have familiarity with the community and a feeling of belonging.
I had always wanted to become a teacher. Growing up that was my answer whenever anyone asked me what I wanted to be. Back in the early 2000s, high schools would have college representatives visit during lunch for students to talk to. I remember the day the representative from Ohio State Mansfield came and I eagerly walked up and asked about the education program and how to schedule a visit to the campus. My first visit to campus felt like home, felt like I belonged and I knew that’s where I’d go. I felt comfortable. I could see myself going to ask questions or seeking help as I navigated a world my parents wouldn’t be familiar with.
I received a theatre scholarship my first year and joined the autumn production as a student director. I felt like I needed to carry a large role in the production since I earned the scholarship. Back then Ohio State was on the quarter system (10 weeks) and I was taking four classes to be fulltime, working weekends at my high school job, making pizzas, subs, working the drive through dock, and put in roughly 3 hours a night Monday-Friday in the theatre, getting home around 9 p.m. as I commuted to campus. I made wonderful friends and was enjoying life. Because I was the student director, I was able to earn three credit hours. My first quarter I earned a total of 18 hours and ended with a 3.038. I was also burned out and decided I needed to step away from theatre to better balance my academics and work so that I could pay for my next quarter’s tuition. An adjustment needed to be made.
I didn’t end up rejoining the theatre department, but found amazing friendships my second year of college through an organization. I also became a Buckeye ambassador and was able to give tours of campus during the school year and orientations. I found a job on campus that year as well working in the admissions/advising/financial aid office and fell in love with understanding curriculum requirements and meeting new potential Buckeyes. This job allowed me to have open weekends to spend more time on studies and add in more family and friends time. My junior year I was still working towards my Bachelor’s degree in Education but was told that there are Master’s programs in Higher Education that set people up to work in the college environment. This was interesting to me!
When I attended Ohio State, students did not receive a teaching license during their undergraduate, so I knew I was going to get a master’s degree no matter what. I told God I’d apply to three higher education programs and two education licensure programs and if I got into a higher education program then that’s what I’m supposed to do. Well, here comes more adjusting. I got into Kent State University’s Higher Education Administration and Student Personnel program. I was excited but nervous because I had always planned on teaching. My parents told me to do what I wanted and this decision to join higher education made this Buckeye turned Flash able to return to my Buckeye roots in my dream job as an academic advisor. I love helping students understand their major requirements, connect them with campus resources, adjust plans when finding a new major and meet their academic goals.
My advice to first-gen students: Don’t be afraid to allow your plans to change. Have a plan, but be open to adjusting as you learn more about yourself, as new interests arise and enjoy the ride!