b'STUDENT College 101 First-Generation StudentsADVICEHeres some advice to makeI want to attend college.Will I be able to academically the most of your collegeHow do I get started? succeed in college?experience and get ahead! Am I a Applying to colleges can be an exciting, yet stressful,It may seem like the courses youll take are a big step upFirst-Generation We know youve heard it before: Get involved!from your high school classes. Thankfully, there are so Clubs and volunteer opportunities are availableprocess! First, make sure youre on track with your grades,many resources available to help you in your studies. Astudent?year-round, so its easy to join a community thatrequired tests and everything else you need to graduate andfaculty advisor will make sure you take the classes that are shares your interests! be college ready. Then, visit campuses or contact under- right for you. They will also help you register and make sureFirst Generation simply means graduate admission offices to get in touch with someoneyoure on track to graduate. Faculty are dedicated to eachyour parents or guardians have If you dont know where to start, the Studentwho will walk you through the entire application process.individual students success. Chat with your professor over Life office is a great place to learn more aboutTheyll make sure you get all your application requirementscoffee or visit them during office hours! not obtained a bachelors degree; ways to get involved on campus. Trips, eventsin on time and know whats going on every step of the way. youre the first in your family to and services are available to all students.Most schools offer tutoring services, test proctoring,go to college. Whether your par-Its natural to be scared, but youll eventuallyacademic coaching and a study lounge. They can teachents never graduated or didnt find your place on campus. Maybe youll findyou new study habits and help you navigate new aspectsattend college at all, being a First-yourself acting in a play or competing on anof college, like time management and terminology. Most services are entirely free and available to all studentsGenerationcollegestudentis intramural sports team.throughout the semester. something to be proud of! Use every resource available to you. They are available for a reason and you wont botherHow do I pay for college?anyone by asking questions. College resource groups love to help and if they dont know theCollege can be less expensive than you think. Merit and answer, they will find it for you. performance-based scholarships, grants, loans and work-Try to introduce yourself. The college experi- study opportunities can help cut down costs and makeIf I dont know anyone, how ence is so much better when you share it withattending college a reality. Your first step is to fill out the Freewill I fit in and get involved?Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA friends. The great thing is that its easy to makedetermines your eligibility to receive federal student aid andThe start of your college journey can be a great friends on campus. Other students are new justcan also affect how much aid your school can give you. opportunity to meet new people. Living on campus like you, so speak up about the homework withis not only a great way to get that four-year college the person sitting next to you or strike up a con- Next, look into scholarships for your particular area of study,experience, but is where roommates become versation in the lunch line. ethnicity, sport or other areas of interest.friends and friends become family. There are also Keep an open mind. College is a place full ofmany clubs and extracurricular opportunities on Sirley Carballo campus designed to appeal to different interests. new people, new ideas and new experiences.AlumnaSome of the things youll experience in collegeFresno PacificWhether youre into ultimate Frisbee or want to will be challenging, but all of it will shape youUniversity write for the school newspaper, theres something and help you grow. for you to find and connect to.182 183'