What It’s Like to Be First Generation

Navigating higher education is hard enough, but when you’re low-income, the obstacles multiply tenfold. From soaring tuition costs to hidden expenses, systemic barriers often make the dream of a degree feel out of reach. So, what happens when ambition collides with inequality?"

Being a first-generation college student is a journey filled with equal parts pride and pressure. For those of us who come from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds, the challenges are often compounded by financial strain, lack of guidance, and the weight of being a trailblazer in our families. Yet, despite the obstacles, the journey is one of resilience, growth, and determination.

I have faced many challenges when I attempted to obtain a higher education. Unfortunately, many people underestimated what I was truly capable of. In high school, I faced the challenge of being a teen mother. That was hard, but this and being faced with inequality and a lack of guidance only made it harder. I was lucky at the time because Independence High School in San Jose, California, had daycare. This was back in 2010. You remember —when the first iPad was released. It was also when 3G wi-fi was the go-to. Lastly, it was the year when the Chicago Blackhawks won their first Stanley Cup.

It wasn’t a surprise. My GPA was at an all-time low, and I was pretty much getting straight F’s. Once I realized I was not going to graduate, I dropped out. I tried time and time again to find a school program that would work with me; however, being low-income and faced with the reality that I couldn’t afford daycare made me hit continuous barriers.

I checked into programs like San Jose Conservation Corps and Job Corps, but these programs had very demanding schedules and large time commitments. The type of schedule commitments that do not fit in with a mom who can’t afford daycare. I was attending San Jose Conservation Corps, but because my stepfather fell ill with Adenocarcinoma Stage 3 lung cancer, I dropped out to care for him because I knew he wouldn’t be able to babysit, let alone care for himself. He passed away on September 16th, 2013. He was 87 years old at the time. Although I was tired and with limited resources, I did not give up. I persevered through the pain and doubt of finding a program that would fit my needs. Since I had been in the foster care system, being raised by my stepfather since I was seven years old because my mother passed away from mixed drug intoxication (Drug overdose). I would use resources that I was familiar with some of which included places like The HUB.

At the HUB they offered different services. Many would take advantage of programs and resources like continued education and employment training. Programs like these that are run by the county and connected with non-profits (i.e., The Bill Wilson Center) help people who need it. I was grateful because I came across the Opportunity Youth Academy (OYA). I was able to continue pursuing a higher education through them. Without this program, I would have never gotten my high school diploma.

I realized after the first time I dropped out that I needed to go back. I didn’t want my son to be my age and say, “You didn’t graduate high school, Mom, so why should I?” It would break my heart if he did that. I want to set the example for him that I lacked in my life. My stepdad had an elementary-level education. My mother didn’t finish middle school, and my maternal grandmother was illiterate. The lack of education in my family was one of the reasons I was not aiming for a higher education. The example was not set for me. What can I do about it? Well, I will tell you it started with me. I needed to set the bar, and I needed to set it high. I have learned you lead by example. So, this is what I set out to do for my son(s).

It started at OYA. There is where I met Annie Kretowicz and Mr. Dempsey. They helped me settle my concerns. I was worried I wouldn’t be able to show up some days because I had two sons at the time. One was in kindergarten, and the other was around one year old at the time. Annie reassured me that it would all work out. I remember one day, I told her I would have to bring my son with me. She went out of her way to book me a conference room so that I could study and get assignments done. I was able to do my check-ins there with minimal stress because I knew I was welcome with my baby.

This program made a difference in our lives. I had an academic coach I was working with at the time her name is Delrisha White. She was working with the Silicon Valley Children’s Fund, which changed to the Yes Scholarship and is now known by the name PIVOTAL. I graduated with my high school diploma in 2017. I was a straight-A student, something I was told by teachers and my IEP in high school that was not going to be possible. Well, I’ll tell you what —I proved them wrong, didn’t I?

I will never forget the day I walked the stage. They called my name, and I remember walking up onto the stage and my husband, younger, and older son were in the crowd. As I reached my hand out to receive my diploma and shake the hands of the board members there congratulating me my older son Alexander jumped up out of his seat and yelled, “That’s my Mom!” excitedly. I literally could not hold my tears back. I cried, thank goodness I decided not to wear makeup that day.

Delrisha was there and she asked me, “So, Sarah what are you going to do now that you got your diploma?” I responded, “Nothing, I got my diploma that is all I wanted. Now my son can’t say he won’t finish high school.”. Her response was, “Maybe college?” To that I replied, “Me college?” I had never thought about college was what my internal monologue was in that moment. I told her, “College is for rich people and people like me could never afford college. Plus student debt is scary.”.

She explained that college was possible. Just when I thought my journey was done and over with — there we were a week later, applying to San Jose City College (SJCC). It was one of the few community colleges in the area. I decided to give it a try. I was disheartened when I found out my entrance exam scored me at the tenth-grade level. I spoke with an academic counselor, Julio Flores, with Guardian Scholars at SJCC. I was crying and upset. I thought all I had been through to get my diploma, and I ain’t even at the college level.

He stopped me in my tracks and gave me some hard-core advice. He told me, “In the words of Nike, Just Do It!” I’m kidding; he said, “Do not worry about how long it will take, just take things one step at a time and get them done. It was challenging. I never thought I would be at college in the first place. So there I was, taking pre-requisites to get my knowledge up to par. I took entry-level English, Math, and Reading courses. I spent a total of five years, from 2017 to 2023. I finally graduated in 2023. I was in the top 5% of graduates with the highest honor. I was a straight-A student.

I didn’t stop there. I continued by applying to San Jose State University (SJSU), University of California Santa Cruz (UCSC), and University of California Berkeley (UCB). I got accepted to all three. I chose UC Berkeley out of all of them. I know that living on the East Side of San Jose is going to be a challenging commute, but I thought if I made it this far, I could make this work. Plus, I remember hearing about Bill’s story, he was accepted into UC Berkeley’s Master of Engineering program and would commute via airplane because of the cost of living in the Bay Area. I thought if this man could commute by plane, then I could tough out one and a half to two hours of traffic via car. Yet again, I also have two children.

I am currently pursuing my passion for Psychology at UCB. I hope to graduate in 2027 with my Bachelor’s Degree. I never thought college was a possibility that is until I met Delrisha (Thank you girl! I love you!).

So you see, when ambition collides with inequality, that ambition becomes like a burning flame that propels you forward to do great things. Things you almost believed weren’t possible because of all the nay-sayers. I am a mom. I am a wife. I am low-income. I come from a family that lacked education. I was told that I would be another statistic. I also am currently a student at the University of California Berkeley. Which is one of the hardest schools to be accepted into. Somewhere I never thought I would be. If I can do it, so can you.

My motivating factors:

For me, my two boys are my main motivators. Every day, I wake up and look at them and think to myself, I will never allow us to be consumed and feel helpless due to lack of XYZ again. Every time I feel like giving up, I remind myself of how far I’ve come and what I’m working toward—not just for myself but for my family and community.

My advice to you:

Ask for Help: Use every resource your college offers—tutoring centers, advisors, and financial aid offices. There are some special programs (i.e., low-income, first-gen support).

Celebrate Small Wins: Whether it’s passing a tough class or making it through a hard day, acknowledge your progress. This is important because it will help you with your confidence.

Being a first-generation college student isn’t easy, but it’s worth it. Every step you take is breaking barriers, rewriting narratives, and showing that education is a path to opportunity. If you’re on this journey, know that you’re not alone—and your perseverance is a testament to your strength.

A special thank you to Annie and Mr. Dempsey for supporting me through the struggle and fear of not being able to go with my son to school.

Delrisha: Guiding and motivating me every step of the way to and through community college.

Ashley for believing in me and accepting me to PIVOTAL formerly known as the “YES Scholarship”.

Julio for always believing in me and my ability to do anything I put my mind to and for reminding me to take things one step at a time.

Rose for helping me in the middle of my community college journey.

Monica for helping finish coaching me through community college.

Monider for currently supporting me while attending UC Berkeley.

Also, a special thank you to the community college teachers Profé Gamboa, Juan, and Prof. Hasan, Rahim, who believed in me when I was having trouble believing in myself.