November 8, 2024

Student Voices: What I Wish I Knew as a First-Generation College Student

Montclair State University students and alumni provide advice on navigating college as a first-gen student

Posted in: Hispanic Initiatives, University

Sarai Nam, a senior majoring in Social Media and Public Relations, says it’s important not to go through the college experience alone. “Connecting with people who have experience in your field is invaluable for your success.” (Photo by Mike Peters)

At Montclair State University, where 42% of this fall’s incoming students were first-generation, students reflected on what they wish they’d known at the start of their college journeys. In honor of National First-Generation Celebration Day on November 8, students and alumni shared advice — from building a support network to navigating financial aid — to help other first-gen students thrive at Montclair and beyond.

Meet Our Students

Sarai Nam, Senior

Major: Social Media and Public Relations
Award: Inaugural Trailblazer Award, Office of Student Belonging, First Generation Initiatives
Activities: Orientation leader, University Fellow, College for Community Health representative, Tri-Alpha and PRSSA member

Dulce Meneses, Senior, Bloomfield College of Montclair State University

Major: Biology
Award: Inaugural Trailblazer Award, Office of Student Belonging, First Generation Initiatives
Activities: Resident advisor, Association of Latin American Students vice president, McNair Scholar, Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, admission ambassador and Greek Council Executive Board member

Andrew Suarez, Senior

Major: Exercise Science
Activities: Montclair Veterans President

Sara Castiblanco, Sophomore

Major: Psychology
Activities: Next Generation Service Corps, Neuropsychology Club, University Fellow

Angela Castro, Junior

Major: Child Advocacy and Policy
Activities: Latin American Student Organization vice president, Office of Commuter Life student mentor, Omega Phi Chi Multicultural Sorority, Commuter Student Advisory Board, Future Professionals in Student Affairs Program

Alumni and Staff Voices

Claudio Josuel Alejo ’19 MA

Assistant Director, Montclair’s First-Generation Initiatives

Alvert Hernandez ’18 MA

Assistant Dean for the Center of Inclusive Excellence at Moravian University

Claudio Josuel Alejo ’19 MA, assistant director of Montclair’s First-Generation Initiatives, offers this advice: “Asking for help early is a strength, not a weakness.” (Photo by Mike Peters)

Building a Supportive Community

Sarai: “As a first-generation student, it’s really important to build a supportive community because college isn’t something you should go through alone. Connecting with people who have experience in your field is invaluable for your success.”

Andrew: “Navigating college without family members who attended can be challenging. Seeking mentorship from professors, advisors, and peers made a big difference for me. Having their support helped me find my direction and eased the stress.”

Sara: “Professors are here to teach, but they’re also willing to help us with questions. Asking for help costs nothing, and it prevents mistakes.”

Dulce Meneses, a senior Biology major at Bloomfield College of Montclair State University, says her hardest hurdle “was not being able to understand what I was doing or what I was getting myself into. Definitely take that leap of faith.” (Photo by Mike Peters)

Taking Charge of Your College Journey

Angela: “The hardest thing for me to navigate as a first-generation student was knowing how to ask for the help and resources I needed. Often, first-gen students feel alone in handling academic and school-related challenges because our parents lack experience in these areas. As a result, we hesitate to ask for support. Looking back, I wish I had sought more guidance early on in my college journey.’

Sara: “Completing college applications and FAFSA was difficult for me because I had to do it alone — my mother doesn’t speak English. I wish I’d known there are YouTube tutorials to help first-gen students fill out financial aid applications step by step.”

Claudio: “As a first-gen and the oldest sibling, I was conditioned to figure everything out alone. But I didn’t have to. Asking for help early is a strength, not a weakness. I wish I’d taken advantage of that sooner.”

Embracing Opportunities and Growth

Dulce: “Taking a leap of faith was scary, especially during COVID, but moving away and living on campus put me on the path I’m on today.”

Alvert: “Lean into conversations you find uncomfortable because that’s really where the growth happens.”

Alvert Hernandez ’18 MA, guest speaker for Montclair’s National First-Generation Celebration Days, advises first-gen students: “Lean into conversations you find uncomfortable because that’s really where the growth happens.” (Photo by Mike Peters)

Montclair’s National First-Gen Celebration

On November 8, Montclair joined colleges nationwide to celebrate National First-Generation College Celebration, honoring first-gen students and staff. This event marks the anniversary of the Higher Education Act of 1965, a landmark piece of legislation aimed at increasing college access, particularly for first-gen and underrepresented students.

Trailblazer Achievement Award Honorees

Montclair’s First-Generation College Celebration hosted by the Office Student Belonging honored the first recipients of the Trailblazer Achievement Award, recognizing exceptional leadership, perseverance, and impact within the first-gen community. In addition to the two student honorees, two staff members were recognized.

Awarded Staff Members:

Jerryl H. Sharif: 2006 Bloomfield College graduate, Assistant Director for the Center for Student Leadership and Engagement at Bloomfield College of Montclair State University
Julia DelBagno: Montclair’s Assistant Dean for Student Engagement.

Guest Speaker

Alvert Hernandez ’18 MA, Assistant Dean for the Center of Inclusive Excellence at Moravian University, shared insights on supporting first-gen student retention and success.

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