First-gen Clarkies share their stories with high-schoolers
Navigating college as a first-year student living away from home can be overwhelming — especially if you’re also a first-generation student.
First-gen students are those whose parents or guardians did not complete a bachelor’s degree. About one in five Clarkies identify as part of this cohort — including me. First-gen students must overcome obstacles to find their path in college, often without guidance and support from parents and family.
The First-Gen Working Group recently held a panel event to help local high-schoolers from college-access programs, including Dynamy John S. Laws Youth Academy and Bruce Wells Scholars Upward Bound, learn more about the experiences of first-gen students at Clark. I spoke on the panel representing the Class of 2029.
My experience as a first-gen student started back in 2016 when my family immigrated to America from Uzbekistan. I am the oldest child and the first and only one to speak English in my family, meaning I carry the responsibility of translating everything that my parents don’t understand. Attending college is a milestone in my life and neither of my parents have context or personal experience to guide me. This meant that I had to figure out everything about the application and financial aid process on my own — and still have a lot to navigate ahead of me.
Roughly 20 high schoolers attended the panel on Nov. 6, eager to hear first-hand stories. Speaking on the panel with me were Ariel Roriguez ’26, AK Aguilar-Martinez ’28, Jacob LeBrun ’28, and Leysha Urena ’26. Each one of us had contrasting college experiences, coming from different major tracks, involved in different campus clubs and organizations; being first gen is our common thread. We all had to fill out college applications with zero clues on what the process is supposed to be like and had to figure out the financial component of attending Clark with a limited understanding of how taxes work.
On the panel, I spoke about the pressure I put on myself to succeed, to make my parents’ hardships worth it and make them proud. This is especially difficult in college because it is challenging to keep up during a time of constant change.
After the panel ended, a high school student approached me, shared that she’s also a first-gen immigrant, and asked how I manage imposter syndrome and self-criticism around my academic achievements. I understood her worry and curiosity because I was in her place a couple of months ago, applying to colleges and deciding my future with the thought of my parents in the back of my mind.
I shared a quote I always fall back on: “I am doing the best I can with what I was given.” It’s easy to feel like you’re falling behind when everyone else seems to be ahead; however, we’ve all had different opportunities and lives.
My co-panelists spoke about finding a community that helped them feel a sense of belonging and receive support. For Aguilar-Martinez, that happened at hackathon events.
“Before the event, I struggled with imposter syndrome; everyone around me seemed more experienced or knowledgeable,” Aguilar-Martinez said. “But during the spring 2025 Hackathon, I pushed myself to take part, even as a beginner, and it changed everything for me.”
LeBrun shared that getting involved with Model UN was the step to finding a community at Clark. Urena said joining Salsa Encendida was how she found her people and passion.
High schoolers asked about what it’s like to live on campus and share a residence hall space with another person. As panelists, we were able to provide insight into what the high school students could expect as well as offer guidance. It felt important to share knowledge with younger students because this may be some of the only first-hand advice they receive.
So far, my experience as a first-year Clarkie has taught me many things about myself. After attending office hours with a professor who advised me on different study methods, I found a style that worked best for me. This was enlightening and also helped me realize the value of building personal relationships with professors.
I’m the first-year student representative for First-Generation Student Association and a part of the First-Gen Working Group, which aims to broaden the resources available for first-gen students at Clark. It’s important for first-gen students to remember that they’re never alone, because there is an enormous support system available to them here.
