First-generation students face greater academic and social pressures during pandemic

October 7, 2020

AUSTIN, Texas — Anthony Carreón donated plasma to make ends meet during college. As a first-generation student, he knew his mom already worked two jobs and had to pay his younger brother’s sports and band fees. The reason why Carreón decided to go to college was a thank you to his mother.

Carreón, who graduated this past May with a computational engineering degree, said first-generation students face a lot of pressure from their family members and themselves. “Being a first in anything is difficult because you put these high standards on yourself,” he said.

First-generation students make up more than 20% of UT’s undergraduate population. They report a higher frequency of stress and depression compared with non-first-generation students, according to the Journal of Nursing Education and Practice. While going to college is a source of pride and gratitude for first-generation students, they said family members can’t understand the challenges they face as college students: financial stresses, the amount of time it takes to study for classes compared to high school, pressures to be a role model and even registering for classes.

“Every first-generation student felt the pressure the day they came out of the womb,” said Isaac Jimenez, a public relations sophomore at the University of Texas at Austin. “When you do one slip up, it’s the end of the world in your household.”

Ana Silverio, a biology major who like Carreón graduated this past May, said it’s both great motivation and pressure as the first person, not only in her immediate family but also in her surrounding family, to go to college. “Getting a degree means all your fruits and labor, especially from the previous generations, are finally coming to fruition,” she said.

When COVID-19 forced many students back home, balancing new family responsibilities and schoolwork proved to be a challenge.

“My parents didn’t understand the stresses when it came to finals week,” Silverio said. “But my parents got to see firsthand what I had to go through and that helped the conversation on understanding what I need and don’t need.”

Jimenez, who also lives at home, said his parents have trouble empathizing with the college experience they can’t understand, such as not having time for chores, needing a quiet space during finals week or having to do oral presentations in the kitchen.

“There was never leniency when it came to academics,” Jimenez said. “My two younger siblings are in high school so they’re still dealing with that kid-to-parent pressure. I’m at an awkward stage where I’m trying to advocate for them but also still trying to advocate for myself.”

Mike Gutierrez, UT senior program coordinator with Student Success Initiatives, said the first-generation Canvas page and UT’s First-Generation College Celebration Week in November are ways the university provides opportunities and community for first-generation students.

“You have to learn to accept (your parents) for the experiences they don’t have,” Silverio said. “That’s why all the resources at UT are so important because they end up becoming that adopted role.”

Texas Parents Association also holds a family orientation with a session specifically for families of first-generation students to engage parents with the college experience.

“We understand that the transition from high school to college is not only for students, but the family as well,” Gutierrez said.

Jimenez said he wishes the University would provide free counseling, especially for students from lower-income families or backgrounds where therapy is still heavily stigmatized. Gutierrez said the UT Counseling and Mental Health Center staff is currently working on restoring services specifically for first-generation students.

Looking back, Carreón regrets wanting to be completely self-sustained and wants other first-generation students to know that asking for help does not make them weak. “It means you’re stronger, that you have the ability to ask for help and get vulnerable,” he said.

As graduation day loomed closer, Silverio remembers the lockdowns first starting in March and seeing high school proms being cancelled. Due to COVID-19, the 2020 graduating class had a virtual commencement ceremony.

“I had to have a long talk with my mom just because I’ve been picturing this since forever,” Silverio said. “When I realized it was going to be taken away, I had to work through the feelings of ‘I want this, but I know I have to give it up.’”

Although Carreón planned to have a mariachi band and family come celebrate from across the U.S. and Mexico, he said a piece of paper or event couldn’t encapsulate the four years of memories and growth.

Silverio’s boyfriend rented congratulatory signs for her front yard and her mom decorated the living room with UT memorabilia.

Although Silverio said it’s exhausting to have to explain why college is more challenging for her as a first-generation student, she is grateful for the resilience her college experience has given her.

“First-generation encompasses various identities,” she said. “It’s not just someone who doesn’t know what to do. If I was able to get here, nothing else can stop me.”