50 percent of the college population is made up of first-generation students – Department of Education
I am that 50 percent, it is who I am, it is my motivation.
Growing up I knew people went to college for an education to better themselves for their careers. However, I never, in a million years, thought I would be attending college, let alone Penn State. In my naiveté, it was for the wealthy, something I had never been. But with time, I came to realize that if I wanted to accomplish my dreams of becoming a psychologist and aiding children in their life struggles, I had to go to college.
I have always loved learning about the mind and how we, as humans function, and we why do the things we do. Having a Sheriff as a father opened my heart for a love of shows like Law and Order SVU and Criminal Minds. I yearned for more, I wanted to know about violent crimes and the motive behind people’s actions but I couldn’t answer my questions on my own, and my high school didn’t offer much help either.
So I made a pact with myself, to attend a college or university that would provide me with the knowledge I wanted. Penn State is helping me accomplish my goals, which I am greatly thankful for. However, attending such a big university and being the only one in my family to do so, puts an immense amount of pressure on me.
I feel the pressure to succeed in college, not only because I am a first generation student but because I stand as a role model and others have high expectations for me. I feel pressure from Penn State, to be the best of the best among my peers and graduate with an honors seal. I feel pressure from myself, to walk across the stage in 3 years instead of 4, on the Dean’s list. I feel the pressure two earn two degrees in two separate majors. Feeling pressure is what keeps me going, deadlines keep me attentive, and grades keep me striving for more.
I strive to be the best I can, I strive to help anyone who needs it, I strive to be more than the average Penn State graduate.
