First-Generation Experience

Transcript

First generation college students face unique challenges and can feel lost, isolated and alone when navigating a college campus. Riana, a first gen student majoring in nursing, is gonna share her experience as an incoming student and talk about the many resources available to support her on her journey. Take it away.

– Thanks, Alex, hi, everyone. While looking for schools, CSUSB’s Nursing Program stood out from all the rest. I take pride in knowing that Cal State San Bernardino’s Nursing Program is nationally ranked and accredited. As a first generation student, it was scary entering into college, as I had no idea what to expect. That all changed once I got to experience orientation at CSUSB. The Office of First Year Experience went at their mission to make sure that all freshmen were well informed about CSUSB’s various resources, and that we had fun and made friends while doing so. One of the resources mentioned was supplemental instruction, which is additional instruction provided by students after lectures. The first time I intended a session is where I ended up meeting my now best friend. Thanks, CSUSB. Another first-year resource that made a significant impact was the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships. They helped connect me with scholarships I qualified for, which eased my mind. This campus offers a plethora of resources and activities to make sure new transfer and first-year students feel right at home. The Week of Welcome is a series of events where students are given campus tours to become familiar with their new home, and also given important information to help them on their journey. CSUSB’s resources and events geared towards first generation students has made me feel like a college student before I even took my first course. Being a nursing student is hard work. But what the unlimited support that I have received has made it that much easier to succeed. Getting to experience college as a CSUSB Coyote has been so much fun. Back to you, Alex.

– Great job, Riana. It didn’t take you long to acclimate to university life, thanks to resources like the First Year Experience and other welcome events. CSUSB’s I’m First Alliance welcomes all incoming first generation college students to participate in a series of transitional workshops designated to help you adjust to this new environment. And that is amazing, take care.