Navigating UCI As A First-Generation College Student
As a first-generation college student, college can be really scary and exciting. I chose to go to UCI knowing that there were plenty of resources available for me to ease my transition into the college environment. For me, the transition was not nearly as difficult as I thought. If it wasn’t for the faculty, staff, and friends that I met at UCI, my college experience would not have been nearly as fruitful. Today, I will be sharing some tips with you that have helped me succeed in college as a first-generation student:
This is a picture of me and Professor Wu at my APIASF Scholarship Award Ceremony. She is always supporting me through every academic endeavor that I try to take on.
1. Don’t be shy to ask for help
UCI staff, faculty, and students are extremely friendly and supportive. I always thought that college was a cutthroat and competitive environment. To my surprise, it was nothing of the sort. I found myself surrounded by people who had my best interest at heart. They all wanted to support and help me.
In my first year of college, I was curious to learn more about research. I asked Dr. Judy Wu if she would be willing to take me under her wing and show me the ropes of writing a research paper. Leading up to asking her, I was sweating bullets. My hands were shaky. My face was flushed. But she smiled at me and welcomed me into the research group for Asian American Studies. She was more than happy to help me. Since that first meeting, she has been one of my biggest supporters. I would not be able to achieve so much without her kindness and support!
2. Seek out resources and cool opportunities
Not everything is out in the open or clear as day. Sometimes, you have to be resourceful. A lot of the opportunities that I have been able to take advantage of as a first-generation college student was due to the fact that I never stopped looking. I always kept my eyes open for the next best thing.
One of the most underrated resources on campus is the Social Science Academic Resource Center (SSARC). It is tucked at the end of a hallway in SBSG. SSARC was not only a very useful study space, but it was a great place to connect with other social science students. I made some friends and mentors through SSARC. Every Friday, I would come to the bagel hour and spark a conversation with some new faces. By going to SSARC, I always got the inside scoop on all of the exciting opportunities that are available in the School of Social Sciences. Through SSARC, I learned about the Dean's Ambassador Council, Summer Academic Enrichment Program, and UCI Homecoming.
This is a friendsgiving dinner I hosted in Singapore for my 23 local Singaporean friends. All of that hard work led to this exact moment -- cooking a massive (and glorious) turkey on my own in an Asian country.
3. Challenge yourself
Nothing is ever impossible. If you want it badly enough, you’ll fight to make it happen. For me, studying abroad was a big dream of mine. I knew that I wanted to study abroad my junior year of college, but I just didn’t know how. I wasn’t sure I had the capacity to financially support myself while I was abroad.
Nevertheless, I was determined to make it happen. After writing many personal statements and applications, I garnered enough money in scholarships and research grants to fund my education and travels. Although the process leading up to studying abroad was challenging, it was well worth it. The experience was truly incredible. Just because you are first generation doesn’t mean that you are unable to dream big.
4. Find your community
Community is everything. At UCI, finding “your people” is really easy. I found my friends through a variety of different involvements -- from the first year dorm halls to the on-campus organizations. Eventually, you’ll have a full-on squad who is cheering you on every step of the way. By putting yourself out there, you are bound to meet people that you really vibe with.
I met my best friends through two different organizations. Call it fate, but somehow the three of us were linked together through different involvements. We quickly realized the link and started hanging out with each other regularly. Eventually, we became inseparable. From working out at the ARC to studying in the community lounge at Arroyo Vista, we made a lot of really good memories together and we continuously make more even when we’re miles apart. With these gals as my besties, I know that I’ll always have someone to run to whenever I am in a crisis or need some energy to carry on. My friends are my community, and they make the college experience a lot less scary.
5. Have fun!
Although exams and assignments take up a big chunk of the college experience, don’t forget that you need to make some time to have a little fun. Some say that college is the best four years of your life, and I can see why. When you look back at college, you’ll only remember the nights you watched movies with your friends, not the nights you studied for a super hard test.
While it is important to take your academics seriously, it is also just as important to make meaningful relationships and build strong connections. Those are some of the best takeaways from the college experience -- the friendships and memories that you make. If things don’t go exactly as planned, just trust that it will all work out in the end. I know that being a first-generation student can come with a lot of pressure and anxiety. But when you’re in college, you need to remind yourself to just breathe and smile. You made it here for a reason. Now, chase after your dreams and have fun while you’re at it.
