On this episode, we sat down with Pepperdine First Lady Joline Gash, first-years Jalen Brooks and Jillian George, and RISE Director Stacey Lee Gobir at the RISE Roundtable. What unites them is that they are all first-generation college students/graduates, being the first in their families to attend and complete college. 

Nationwide, about half of all undergraduate students are first-generation college students, according to the Center for First-Generation Student Success. And yet, the Department of Education‘s NCES (National Center for Education Statistics) finds that first-gen students are more than twice as likely to leave school due to a variety of obstacles. However, according to the National Institutes of Health, first-generation college students often bring many strengths, including a strong work ethic, unique perspectives, and resilience that enrich campus communities.

Here’s what we learned from our conversations:

• The power of social support from friends, family, and faculty members in a first-gen student’s college journey 
• How to be open to new experiences and meeting new people
• The significance of finding a faith community and practicing gratitude in building resilience in college
• The importance of managing one’s time and prioritizing well-being as a college student
• The blessings and pressures associated with being a first-gen college student
• How to reframe irrational thoughts about having to be perfect to practicing self-compassion and seeking help from others

Connect with us:

• Email: Resilience@pepperdine.edu 
• Instagram: @pepperdinerise
• Website: www.pepperdine.edu/rise/ 
• Recommend a guest!: ​​https://forms.gle/HztkVNgrW85bvvd1A

In this episode, we discuss…

• 01:14 The definition of first-gen college student 
• 02:59 First-year first-gen students Jillian George and Jalen Brooks’ college experience
• 06:04 Sharing the first-gen college student experience with family
• 09:25 The importance of a spiritual journey 
• 09:54 Naming the people in life who provide support during hard times 
• 11:25 The challenges that come with managing a college student schedule
• 14:25 Pleasant surprises about the college experience
• 17:48 Jillian and Jalen’s advice to their high school selves
• 20:16 Resources for first-gen college students
• 21:27 First Lady Joline Gash and RISE Director Stacey Lee Gobir’s first-gen college experience
• 28:49 What it’s like to represent one’s family as a first-gen college student
• 35:17 The most rewarding parts of the college experience
• 40:48 Encouragement and advice for other first-gen college students
• 43:52 How to stay connected with RISE