Walking into a large lecture hall, dozens of rows full of seats fill the room. A professor runs through notes quickly from a slideshow, students scribbling down anything they can. Thousands of dollars spent to groggily attend class after class, a majority of kids having no clue what they’ll do with what they learn. But at least they have guidance from a parent. 

Well, some of us don’t.

Neither of my parents ever went through the quick-paced courses college is known for. My dad didn’t even finish high school, deciding to support himself instead. My mom applied and was accepted, but never went. Although my mom has continued to have a successful, well-paying job, she is one of few without a degree in her field.

College has never been presented to me as an option, rather a need. But I do want a degree; I want the title.

Applications. Standardized tests. Dorm rooms. 

Would I even be accepted anywhere?

All four years of high school, I worry about these topics. I put it off over and over, but I am eventually faced with it all. It’s real this time. I’m applying and taking the tests and updating my shot records.

Days go by and I move closer to leaving the world of free public education. I am excited, but scared because I have no one above me with advice. Of course my parents can relay information they’ve heard from others, but nothing personal.

I am on my own. 

It’s not something I’d ever hold against them; it’s just a part of my life I will have to get through alone.

Being a first-generation college student usually has different stereotypes attached to it. Either your family is poor, dumb or doesn’t have successful careers. When in reality, this isn’t the case. My mom made connections and worked her way up, which college can’t teach you. My dad used his time to build up a work ethic and learned how to plant, take care of various animals and build anything out of anything.

Yes, they never achieved the higher education society tells them they need. But they are still successful, and I will be too.

I want to follow behind them and do something they wish they would’ve done. I don’t want to show them I can achieve more than them, but show I am capable of advancing to college without experienced knowledge.