Tokenism: 

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Being a BIPOC token is when areas of recruitment, in this case, Predominately White Institutions (PWI) use students of minority groups to give the appearance of racial “diversity” within the institution. A lot of the time, BIPOC students applying to college are suggested to write about their traumatic experiences in their college essays to attract the institution. Whereas their white peers are not suggested to do so. As a BIPOC student, bringing up these traumatic experiences can be very emotionally challenging and exhausting. Your traumatic experiences do not define who you are. You are more than your trauma. If you feel comfortable in sharing your story, then by all means you can. However, if you feel that it is nobody's business what you and your family have been through, do not feel pressured to do so. You are who you want to be without having your trauma define you. If colleges can not see who you truly are, then they did not deserve you in the first place.

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DACA Students: 

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Applying for colleges and scholarships is a very stressful time for students. However, it is even more stressful when your citizenship status is the constant barrier that holds you back from applying to financial aid and colleges. You may have never visited your birth place and have lived your whole life in the United States yet you are still seen as an “International student” for many colleges. Your struggle will never be understood by your citizen peers. American citizenship is a privilege that is taken for granted. However, do not let these limitations define who you are and your future. You are more than a piece of paper that states your status. You are who you want to become. Please reach out to non-profits/organizations that work specifically with undocumented students. Also, reach out to your college! They might have helpful resources available for DACA students. A lot of the time, college counselors can be very busy with other stuff that they often forget that a lot of the resources they send out do not qualify for DACA students. Working with organizations and individuals who understand you is very very important. Not only will they be able to provide you with resources, but they can be your mentors during these difficult times. Being around people who understand your struggle is good for your mental health. It provides DACA students with the opportunity to stop feeling like an outsider from their peers, it gives them a voice. Reach out to individuals who work in these organizations by sending an email! You can visit our High School DACA page for links on some resources we found. However, the list goes on, research for help within the college you will be attending or other non-profits/organizations within your area.

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Common Stressors:

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• Not knowing if you are going to college for yourself or for your parents to fulfill the pressure you have of them sacrificing themselves to give you a better life. 

  • You are not alone in this. A lot of students from low-income and/or immigrant households feel a pressure to fulfill college expectations to make our families proud. It is difficult to have this conversation with your parents because a lot of the time parents think that there are no other options but to go to college. It might be helpful to set a meeting up with a college counselor to talk about some options you have been thinking about. It is nice to have a third party give perspective on the conversation. If this is not possible, ask yourself if your plans of not going to go to college are sufficient enough to support you financially throughout the years. What are your short and long term goals in your career and/or job occupation? Parents just want to make sure that you have a roof over your head and food on the table.

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• Not knowing what to major in! Everybody seems to know what major except for you. Feeling left behind from the rest of your graduating class. 

  • Sis, tell us about it! These are issues that students have even when they are in college. Being confused on what you are going to major in is completely normal. However, it is important to recognize that the major you do will not necessarily be what you do for the rest of your life. A lot of students are known to do something different from their majors when they graduate college. If you are really confused or are stuck between a couple options it is important to RESEARCH!! Search up individuals whose career you really see yourself in. A lot of the time, their resumes or CV’s are included in their professional website. You can take a look and see how they started. If you are feeling brave, send them an email and ask them some questions on how their undergraduate major helped them get to where they are now!

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• Not making it to your dream school, the plans that you made begin to completely change.

  • You go to get ice cream from the ice cream man with the idea that you are going to order a lime popsicle but they don’t have it available so you end up getting an orange popsicle. You never tried the orange popsicle but it seems you like it satisfies your needs! Your plans will always change and that is okay. The most important thing is that you stay open-minded on the opportunities that this new door has opened for you. It might be a blessing in disguise! One of our favorite quotes is, “It is not about where you start but where you end”. Reach out to someone on how you are feeling because it can be very emotional when you did not reach your vision plans. Make sure you surround yourself with a support system that values your vision and is determined to see it happen in the future.

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Financial Stresses: 

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As a low-income student, financial stress will always be an ongoing problem. Work study is a helpful way to make money while studying but there are often times when something comes up and you do not have enough money to support yourself with. It can also be stressful when tuition payment deadlines are approaching and you might not have enough scholarship funding to cover it. It is an ongoing issue we all face even after school is over. We suggest finding a group on campus that supports low-income and first generation college students. If there is not a group on your campus, research for local non-profits and mentors that can help you stay motivated and focused on your studies without letting the stress of money control your happiness. Yes, it is important to worry about these issues but you also can not let them take control of your spirit. Find others who will support you through these difficult times and who have also been through this or are currently going through these issues!

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Culture Shock: 

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According to Black Enterprise, “culture shock and isolation are common to first generation students. The academic and cultural collegiate experience is different from that of high school and can be overwhelming. First generation students may feel lonely and out of place because they have little prior knowledge or understanding of the campus culture. If there isn’t a large minority population on campus, they may also feel disconnected.” 

Ways to help according to Black Enterprise are to: 

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• Get Involved 

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Is an opportunity to meet new people and to connect with organizations that share similar values as you!

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• Ask for Help 

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Seek out for resources on your campus that can help you both emotionally and mentally!

• Academic Support

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Continue in trying to build a relationship with your professors to familiarize yourself with your classes! Go to office hours to get to know them and to ask questions! 

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References: 

https://www.blackenterprise.com/how-first-generation-college-students-can-face-down-their-challenges/#:~:text=Culture%20shock%20and%20isolation%20are%20common%20to%20first%20generation%20students.&text=First%20generation%20students%20may%20feel,they%20may%20also%20feel%20disconnected.

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Imposter Syndrome: 

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According to NASPA, Imposter Syndrome is a “persistent self-doubt and fear of exposure as a fraud that causes many first-generation students to doubt their own abilities, discount praise, generate additional anxiety, opt for easier pathways, and to experience increased dissatisfaction within their lives.” It is very common for BIPOC First-Generation students to feel a sense of not belonging within their university that often lacks diversity and inclusion that BIPOC First-Gen students are used to in the comfort of their own communities. Believing statements such as, “I got lucky, I deceived others into believing that I am competent, and other students deserve this opportunity more than me” are signs of imposter syndrome. According to Collegeexpress.com, approximately 70% of people admit to feeling like an imposter at some point in their lives, especially college students. Do not feel that you are alone, because you are not! You worked hard to get where you are at and you deserve all of the opportunities and success that is headed your way! You belong where you are at and you are worthy!! 

According to Collegeexpress.com these are some key point on ways to overcome Imposter Syndrome:

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• Change your mindset 

• Acknowledge yourself 

• Keep a list of compliments!

• Talk to someone you trust 

• Express your feelings 

• Realize that faking can work 

• You are YOU!

References:

https://www.naspa.org/course/finding-the-right-connections-for-first-generation-students-with-impostor-syndrome

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https://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/student-life/articles/living-campus/youre-not-fake-you-just-have-imposter-syndrome/

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