Challenges, Support, and Interventions of Adult First-Generation College Students
Jessica Hutcheson.
Being the first one to do anything is scary, and being the first in your family to go to college is no different, especially when that decision is prompted by unexpected career changes, such as the loss of a career later in life. It takes a leap of faith into the unknown without anyone to look towards as a model. That leap of faith is even scarier without support along the way, making it easier to decide to quit and go back to what is familiar. The road to graduation for older first-generation college students already in the workforce is paved through uncharted territory and waters through which they must navigate. There are speed bumps and sharp turns that will unexpectedly come up that they will not anticipate and not be able to overcome without some guidance or assistance. Although colleges and universities offer various resources to help their first-generation population, they continue to struggle with how to help this group of students by misunderstanding how diverse they are as individuals. Each one of this growing group brings their own unique background and story. They will face challenges along the way that are as unique as they are, and these students are more familiar with the workforce than they are with the campuses they attend. Many of them do not have anyone to talk to that they believe will truly be able to understand how much this unfamiliar journey to earning their college degree is for them. They tend to feel more pressure than their peers to succeed and struggle with perfectionism. Older first-generation students usually attempt to handle or ignore challenges on their own that continue to mount when they are overcome with problems that pop up along the way and are not provided with the necessary individualized assistance they need, many of these students begin to see dropping out of school as their only solution. Therefore, even though the number of these students are going back to college full of motivation and hope in large numbers that are continuously increasing more than any other group, the number of them making it to their graduation day is steadily decreasing just as quickly. Unfamiliar challenges end up meaning they never make it to the graduation day they dreamt about. Think about all those empty seats at graduation day that could have been filled with graduates accomplishing a dream that would have changed their lives and the lives of their future generations forever.
Пікірлер: 40
nice video very educational!
Very true.
Jessica, This study study is different and I like it. We are so used to first generation college students being students that are young and being the first of their family to go to college. You on the other hand discussed a different perspective, you discussed the adult first generation college student, meaning we are a little older have gone through more in our lives but still first in our family to go to college. Great Job.
Awesome presentation Jessica, well said.
@jessicah3791
10 күн бұрын
Thank you so much! That means a lot!
Very good
@jessicah3791
9 күн бұрын
Thank you for watching it and for your feedback! I'm glad you liked it!
This is very informative and interesting study, and all the information is concise and elaborately stated by Jessica.
@jessicah3791
9 күн бұрын
Thank you so much for taking the time to watch, comment, and provide such specific feedback on the video! This research study took 3 semesters, so I am so glad you liked it!
I too will be returning to school very soon , and can relate to the challenges discussed in the researched study !
@jessicah3791
9 күн бұрын
Thank you for watching the video and providing a comment relating it to your situation. There will be challenges, but I know you can and will overcome them all! You got this!!!!
You are so correct!! I have experienced most of these challenges. My daughter is just going to college just out of high school. It has been an arduous journey for us all!
Jessica, this is a great topic and should be recognized more often. Older generation of people have the drive but don’t feel we have the time and resources or can’t compete with the younger generation of students for one reason or another . Whether if work, kids, life or lack of confidence. But the truth is , we want the same things the younger generation wants. We are just slower. I appreciate the way conducted you study and you hit the nail on the head. Great job!!
@jessicah3791
9 күн бұрын
I really appreciate your detailed comment, feedback, and encouragement! Thank you so much! Your support and encouragement mean more to me than you know!
I’m working with more and more adult learners! You are right on point!
@jessicah3791
9 күн бұрын
You can definitely relate by what you witness these adults endure as they continue their educational journey, then. Thank you for taking the time to not only watch the video, but also for providing your feedback on how you can relate to this topic.
Jesssica, This is a great topic! I hope more people see this and feel motivated to continue their education! I hope more older-generation people are able to choose to come back to school rather than feeling they have to because of a sudden career change or loss. Your presentation was very informative, and you spoke so well and clear! Your Adam Sandler pic at the end was the cherry on top! Thank you! Tzitzi
@jessicah3791
9 күн бұрын
Thank you so much for your feedback and for being such a wonderful classmate! We made it! I'm truly proud of us all! And congrats again for being recognized on your research!
This hits so close to home. I was a student at Texas state at a young age and never finished. I got into the job force immediately and never went back. I started a family and had kids in my 30’s and have been lucky enough that myself and my spouse are able to provide for our family. I would dread at attempting to go back to school if i were without a job. I would have difficulty in determining if not working and paying for education at a later age in life is more beneficial than pursing another job to provide. I know it would be difficult to attempt both. Great research and study!
@jessicah3791
9 күн бұрын
There are so many options available that financial aide offers through the universities and the organizations employees work for that will cover most or all the expenses. The problem is that many don't know about all the resources that are available to them. You can do it, should you decide! It won't be easy, but it would be worth it!
This study is spot on! Being an Adjunct Professor, I have seen many older generation students fave isolation, disconnection with classmates, bias, and so much more. Providing older Gen students with individualized supports, mentorship, and more is the way to go. I'm excited to see that a research study is being done to further dive into the "silent" issue.
@jessicah3791
9 күн бұрын
Thank you so much for taking the time to watch the video and providing such detailed feedback as a professor who sees the struggles of this group of students firsthand. That really means a lot!
This study is on point. As a working adult returning to school in the fall at the age of 45, I completely understand the challenges that come along with it. You made great points on first generation adult students needing different support than the traditional student. Another issue that I am having is getting enough financial resources to cover my expenses as an adult supporting two children returning to school. That is also another point that could be added in future studies.
@jessicah3791
9 күн бұрын
Thank you for watching the video, applying it to your current situation, and providing feedback on a relevant future study. There will be a unexpected obstacles as you pursue your degree, but I know you can and will overcome those challenges with grace and be graduating with your degree in no time! I'm very proud of you! And I'm always here if you need anything. If I don't have the answer, I can at least point you in the right direction to find the resources you need. YOU GOT THIS!
Jessica, not only did I enjoy your study but the way you presented was both soothing and relatable. Thank you for looking into such an interesting topic. I can personally relate to a few points you made here.
@jessicah3791
9 күн бұрын
Thank you so much! It has been such a pleasure working alongside of you in class. We made it, girl! I'm so proud of each of us who persevered to the end!
Me and my husband were very amazed at the information we received from this study and Jessica’s explanation of the issues. We enjoyed it immensely and wish her the best.
@jessicah3791
9 күн бұрын
Awww! Thank you so much! A lot of time went into this research project, so I'm very proud of the feedback I'm receiving.
I have been debating on whether or not to go back to school & watching this study was very informative.
@jessicah3791
9 күн бұрын
Thank you for taking the time to watch and comment relating the video to your current thoughts of returning to school! I say do it!!! It won't always be easy, but it will be worth it!!! I hope you decide to enroll and keep me posted. You've got my support all the way!
Your introduction was constructed and presented powerfully; major findings were presented seamlessly as being distinct yet co-constitutive of the others, an important point with this topic. Well done!
@jessicah3791
9 күн бұрын
Thank you so much for taking the time to watch the video and leave such specific feedback! I truly appreciate it!
Jessica - Your topic is so important! The challenges these students face extend to all non-traditional students, but for those who are first-generation, I'm certain it can be particularly overwhelming. You did a great job outlining what the university currently provides and I hope your research encourages higher education to prioritize this issue and recognize the need for change. Kudos!
@jessicah3791
9 күн бұрын
Thank you so much!! It has been such a pleasure working alongside of you in class! We made it girl! I am so proud of our class for seeing it through to the end!
I returned to college at the age of 40. I was surprised at how much information I had retained over the years which helped me in studying. The biggest concern I had was trying to study while working full time. It’s doable if you set your mind to it. Great topic.
@jessicah3791
9 күн бұрын
So you can definitely relate as well! I deeply appreciate you taking the time to watch the video and apply it to your own experience. Time management was also one of the three biggest challenges for the participants in this study as well. It's tough, but doable, just as you mentioned! And worth it in the end! Congratulations for hanging in there and persevering where many did not!
Hi Jessica, I love that you chose to focus on an underrepresented and underserved population of students. At larger four years, I have noticed a focus on first time in college students. It was interesting to learn about the challenges experienced by this population and how they can be served.
@jessicah3791
9 күн бұрын
Thank you for appreciating the topic I chose and for listening to the information provided in the video! That really means a lot to me and all the hard work that went into this study!
Hi Jessica, I can see the disconnect between first-generation college students and traditional students quite clearly now that I am working in higher education. As a first-generation student myself, I did not know many of the things I do now. If it were not for my work in higher education, I do not think I would have been as successful in my courses at Texas State and might have even dropped out. This topic is an ongoing issue, and hopefully, individuals in higher education can better reach this demographic to help them succeed. -Teina G
@jessicah3791
9 күн бұрын
Thank you so much, Teina! Thank you for watching the video, relating it to your experience, and for your feedback! It has been such a pleasure being your classmate. We made it, girl!