Motivations of a First-Gen

As a first-generation college student, it means a lot to my family and me. My mother, aunts, and uncles gave up their life in their hometown so that their children (my cousins, siblings, and I) could have opportunities otherwise not available in their hometown. I have many older cousins and siblings in their 30's. They were the first individuals to prove to our family elders that their sacrifice would lead to the American dream. However, they did not attend college, and most had children at a very early age as teenagers. I do not shame them for their actions because the children are more than excellent, but it has made it extremely difficult for them to return to higher education. Throughout high school, my aunts and mother encouraged me to stay focused on school and attend college without any children or marriage proposals because they had seen that so far, it was not working out for those who went that path. As a first-generation college student, it is difficult to have a family role model because no one has accomplished higher education in an ideal way. However, that does not matter because my family motivates and supports me. They always mention how hard they have to work at warehouses and how employers mistreat them because of language barriers, lack of education, and more. Their pain makes me want to work even harder because I want to return all the support that they have provided me.

Another motivation I have is to be a leaf changer. I want to break the stigma attached to my family name about not attending or finishing college for the children's sake. If I cannot have a role model, then I want to be one. I have ten nieces and nephews from my sisters ranging from ages one to eleven, and I have even more from my cousins. I want to prove to the kids that education is more than possible, and just because no one else has completed it, I will work hard and complete it as proof. Many of my aunts and uncles have told me that they encourage their children to look up to me because they want them to go to college. It is a lot of pressure on me, but it is for a good cause. The older individuals, my cousins, and siblings, often struggle financially because their jobs can only pay so much to someone with a high school degree. Therefore, our family needs to push the young generation to dedicate their interest in higher education because we value them and their future. If one person can change the routine, there will be hope for the American dream. However, along this path, I have noticed that my diverse roots make it a Mexican American dream. My journey is not American because my family has cried, sweated, and worked hard to help us achieve. I am not saying that Americans do not do that either, but most of them have an advantage and privilege that has helped them get an education easier than other race groups. Meanwhile, most Mexican families have to start from scratch and build an entirely new life in a country with different traditions, laws, common language, and more.

Although I have not graduated from my university yet, being a first-generation college student in my family is honorable. I am grateful for my support system and the schools I have attended. They have pushed me to be the best version of myself. The responsibility I hold as a leaf changer comes with determination because giving up is never an option, even during a pandemic. Therefore, I will keep putting all of my efforts into accomplishing a new family status, higher education.