Challenges of First-Gen College Students in Literature

Posted on August 30th, 2024

First-generation college students face a unique set of challenges that extend beyond the usual academic hurdles. As the first in their families to attend college, they often navigate an unfamiliar environment with limited financial resources, emotional support, and institutional knowledge.

Literature offers a lens into these experiences, bringing to light the struggles, resilience, and triumphs of first-gen students.

This article explores how literary representations reflect the real-life challenges these students face, particularly in terms of financial instability, academic pressures, cultural displacement, and the quest for belonging.

Through this exploration, we aim to highlight the importance of support systems and the role literature plays in fostering a more inclusive educational environment.

Representation of Low-Income College Students

Financial Struggles in Literature

One of the most significant challenges faced by first-generation college students is financial instability. In Lisa Ko's The Leavers, the protagonist Deming battles constant financial insecurity while pursuing his education. This struggle resonates deeply with many first-gen students who juggle multiple jobs to cover tuition, books, and living expenses.

These financial pressures often impact their academic performance and social life, as they are forced to forgo opportunities that more affluent peers might take for granted.

Tara Westover’s memoir, Educated, offers another powerful example of these financial hurdles. Her journey from a survivalist family in rural Idaho to earning a PhD from Cambridge University underscores the additional challenges faced by those lacking parental guidance, particularly in dealing with financial aid, scholarships, and loans.

Emotional and Psychological Impact

The stress of financial instability also takes a toll on the mental health of first-generation students. Juggling part-time jobs with full academic loads can lead to burnout and mental exhaustion.

This emotional strain is echoed in Tomi Adeyemi's Children of Blood and Bone, where characters struggle not only with oppressive systems but also with the constant worry about survival. These pressures can create a debilitating cycle of anxiety, further isolating students from fully experiencing college life.

The Weight of Financial Resources

Impact on Academic and Social Opportunities

Financial constraints also limit first-generation students' access to social and networking opportunities. Unpaid internships, study abroad programs, and other enrichment activities often come with costs that first-gen students cannot afford. These missed opportunities can create gaps in their résumés, potentially limiting their post-graduation employment prospects and perpetuating the cycle of poverty.

The Role of Institutional Support

Addressing these financial challenges requires institutions to provide transparent financial aid processes and supportive campus environments. Schools that offer dedicated support programs for first-gen students — such as emergency funds, subsidized textbooks, and affordable housing — can significantly improve their academic and financial well-being.

By recognizing the unique struggles of these students and providing support, colleges can help them thrive both academically and personally.

Financial Wellness

Importance of Financial Literacy

Financial literacy is necessary for ensuring the financial wellness of first-generation students. Comprehending your own personal finance, budgeting, and the resources available to manage college expenses effectively can be a game-changer.

Institutions that invest in financial literacy workshops and mentoring programs equip students with the knowledge they need to make informed financial decisions, reducing their stress and empowering them to take control of their financial futures.

Peer Support Networks

Peer support networks are another strategy for managing financial challenges. These networks provide a sense of belonging and the sharing of resources and emotional support.

Books like Sandra Cisneros's The House on Mango Street illustrate how communities and peer groups can become lifelines, offering information about part-time jobs, scholarships, and financial aid services. By fostering a collaborative environment, these networks help students learn from one another and find solutions to their financial challenges.

Qualitative Narrative Research in Literature

Exploring Lived Experiences

Qualitative narrative research offers a unique perspective on the challenges faced by first-generation college students. By focusing on first-person accounts, researchers can capture the nuances of their academic and social lives.

Novels such as Imbolo Mbue’s Behold the Dreamers provide a rich portrayal of immigrant experiences interwoven with aspirations of higher education. These narratives reveal common themes such as resilience, community support, and a drive for upward mobility, offering deeper insights into the struggles and triumphs of first-gen students.

Psychological Dimensions

The psychological dimensions of being a first-generation student are also explored in works like J.D. Vance’s Hillbilly Elegy and Jeannette Walls’s The Glass Castle. These narratives reflect the emotional labor required to succeed in environments that often feel foreign and unwelcoming. 

Common Themes in First-Gen College Student Literature

Cultural Displacement and Identity

Cultural challenges are a significant aspect of the first-generation student experience. Many first-gen students come from minority backgrounds and must deal with the pressures of maintaining cultural ties while assimilating into a new academic environment.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's Americanah captures the protagonist Ifemelu's struggle with identity and belonging as she transitions from Nigeria to the United States for her education. 

Academic Pressure and Isolation

Academic pressure is another common theme in first-gen literature. In Jhumpa Lahiri’s The Namesake, the protagonist Gogol feels intense pressure to excel, driven by his parents' sacrifices and dreams for his future. This academic burden, compounded by a lack of preparedness, can make the transition to higher education daunting.

The sense of isolation often experienced by first-gen students, as depicted in Donna Tartt’s The Secret History, can have a detrimental effect on mental health and engagement, making it even more challenging for these students to succeed.

Wrapping Up

The challenges faced by first-generation college students are complex and multi leveled, encompassing financial struggles, cultural displacement, academic pressure, and feelings of isolation. Literature plays a big role in highlighting these experiences, offering a deeper understanding of the resilience and determination required to deal with the complexities of higher education.

At Maggie's Korner, we are committed to providing a welcoming space where first-generation students can find solace in literature and connect with others who share similar experiences.

Our curated collection of books and events featuring authors who explore themes of determination offers support and inspiration for those facing the challenges of higher education. We invite you to explore these narratives further and discover more about our services by visiting Jessica George’s Maame.

So, if you’re looking for a place where literature meets real life, visit us or get in touch via email at [email protected].

Dive into the rich narratives of the books we have in store and consider joining our events to connect with like-minded individuals. You might even enjoy Jessica George’s Maame as part of your literary exploration — find out more at this link.

No matter what you choose, know that you’re not alone in this journey. Together, we can celebrate the power of stories and foster a supportive network that helps first-generation students thrive both inside and outside the classroom.