A Love Letter to First-Gen Latina Students

The first-gen experience is one that is complicated and difficult in a world that isn’t necessarily built for us to thrive. Our first taste of it is within our households as the resident translators, appointment schedulers, and caretakers of our siblings. We first see how our experience as first-generation Latinas translates to the real world when entering college. Being a first-gen student is a journey we must navigate with no map or guidance, purely doing the best we can with what we have in order to thrive. This letter is for all first-gen Latina students out taking their college experience day-by-day and to those who have already navigated this path and can look back and say “I did that”.

Querida Chingona, 

You are the first-to-go! The first to attend university and soon enough, the first to obtain a college degree in the family. Every day since your college acceptance you see the orgullo in your parents face. You hear them on the phone tell your relatives you got accepted into a university. You hear “congratulations” from your peers. You look to your future in college with optimism, a new opportunity in an unfamiliar environment that will make you and your community proud. While the excitement sets in, you also realize that being a first-generation college student is not at all the same as being a student with parents who have degrees and went through their own college experience.

Soon, financial aid forms become a headache, coordinating move-in day is complicated, and figuring out what major to choose or what campus organizations to join becomes an overwhelming hassle. As you begin your journey as a student, panic can set in during classes or networking events where impostor syndrome may lurk and make you feel as though you are unworthy of being there. The stress over financial responsibilities like books or housing can take away from the time you should be enjoying college. The never-ending pressure to perform well for your familia can become overwhelming as you try to do your best. You might have to explain over and over again what exactly it is that you are studying or your parents might now understand why you chose an unconventional career path. Your family might not understand your struggle in juggling the academic rigor of your school, participating in campus organizations, and being a working student. Because you are venturing into something new for both you and your parents, they might not be able to relate since they never got that experience. 

Through it all, I admire how you work your way through any challenge that comes your way in order to achieve your dreams. When you feel impostor syndrome hitting you hard, you remind yourself you are more than deserving of where you are because you made the most with what you had. When you feel the pressure from familia, you surround yourself with the community you found on campus to feel the love and understanding you need. When classes are stressful, le echas ganas and you ask for help sin miedo because there is nothing wrong with needing a little help. When your major or career choice is questioned, you remind yourself of your passion and if you try hard enough you can make your goals turn into a reality. When you feel homesick and miss what’s familiar to you, a call with wise words from mami will remind you of who you are and why are working as hard as you are.

You never cease to amaze me. From the moment you dove head first into uncharted waters and made the most out of it. In the face of difficult situations, your strength and resilience are awe-provoking to say the least. The ability you have to take on whatever comes your way reminds us of the power our community represents. Always remember that on this journey you are never alone. Just like you there is an entire community of first-gen Latina students navigating many important firsts in college just as you are. When you are at your lowest, they will have you back and give you the strength you need to continue thriving. Being first-gen is hard, and simply navigating school day to day is a feat of its own and for that you are my biggest inspiration.

Con mucho amor,

Laysha