Being a First Generation College Student
Personal statement about being a first generation college student essay. For many years, I was known as the shy, introverted, and soft-spoken girl. The diverse experiences in my life helped me to change for the better. My life began to change dramatically when I was in middle school. Throughout elementary school, I was in a community where I was extremely comfortable. It was very diverse, and the more friends I made, the more I started to come out of my shell. When I moved from urban Pawtucket, Rhode Island, to suburban North Attleboro, Massachusetts, the sudden change impacted my life. I remember that when walking in on my first day of sixth grade, many of the children looked at me in a way that I was not used to. It was very hard for me to make friends because not only was I shy, but I was also considered a minority in the new school. My life changed dramatically before I even knew it. Both my mom and dad only made it to elementary school. During my senior year, it was time to apply to college. I had to navigate the system all on my own without the help that my peers had from their parents. I had to learn how to complete the proper financial aid forms with little to no help. I was not very knowledgeable about what the steps were to get into college, so I felt very lost and wondered if maybe college wasn’t for me. Seeing the limits that the lack of education placed on my parents’ lives motivated me to change my own circumstances.
Even though my family and I faced a lot of complications, it only motivated me more to want to change my conditions. My sister and I experienced firsthand what life was like without proper education. Being a first-generation college student comes with a lot of difficulties, but I have learned that those challenges are the very things that have pushed me to go this far with my education.I am choosing to break the chain of events that my family has grappled with. Throughout my college career, I basically have had two identities, one coming from home and one that comes from school. Much of my timidness came from not knowing exactly who I was because I was confused as to why my life was so different from the lives of many of my peers. At home I found myself taking on the parent role in many ways. I needed to help my sister with the financial aid necessities and college applications while also advocating for her to receive services for her learning disability. I learned to find my leadership not only in college but within my family. I chose to talk about being a first-generation student because it is the thing I identify with the most.
My interest in social work goes back to the time when I first started high school at the age of sixteen. My younger sister has been overcoming a learning disability, and I am grateful to have been a part of her journey. I cared for my younger sister throughout her high school and college education. One of my main priorities during my sister’s middle school and high school years were providing her with resources to be granted equal access to education. Whether this was speaking to school counselors about my sister’s learning disability or even speaking up for my sister who was sexually harassed by one of her classmates. I made sure that I did whatever I could to alleviate her struggles. Through my middle school and high school years my parents worked rigorous hours. My parents did not know how to read and write English so it was my responsibility to help my younger sister out with her school work. This interest has only cultivated throughout my undergraduate years and throughout my direct care work with various disabled clients.
One of the pivotal moments that changed my life significantly was when I became a direct service worker. Initially while meeting my first client I noticed how she was very vigilant of her surroundings when I entered the door to introduce myself. I also observed my client’s clothing, given that it was 90 degrees outside it was noticeable that my client was wearing black sweatpants and a black hoodie with lent all over her clothing. My client appeared to be very dissociated and closed off. Given the various courses I had taken in undergraduate school regarding psychology, I knew that my client was suffering from mental health concerns due to her hypervigilance, and her grooming techniques. I later learned the heartbreaking truth that my client has been date raped in the past. After eventually gaining partial trust from my client, and her opening up to me about the most intimate details about the assault that she encountered, it became clear to me that there are a lot of people with similar stories.
My downfall throughout the beginning stages of caring for my client was taking home the pain my client endured. It is important to have empathy for your client, but it is important to have self-care routines for yourself as well, because we have to help ourselves before we can care for others. I used to always question why these things happened to her and how I wish she never experienced them. During the time where my client was considering pressing charges against her assailant, I kept thinking how unfair it is for someone’s body to be a crime scene, and how arbitrary the criminal justice system is. Through much practice and work, I have been able to learn how to not always bring my client’s problems home with me. I have learned to come up with solutions and proactive plans to help my clients thrive. I am certain that when I am licensed in clinical social work, I will have the knowledge needed to give my clients the best care possible by attending Boston University’s School of Social Work.
I want to get my masters in social work for many reasons, and one of the vital reasons is to become licensed as a clinical social worker. I would like to become LICSW to better not only my life, but the lives of those around me. Upon extension research of the Boston University Social Work Program, I was intrigued by the cognitive- behavioral therapy course. As many know, cognitive-behavioral therapy is a form of psychological treatment that has been proven to be effective for a variety of issues including anxiety disorders, substance use problems, eating disorders and severe mental illness. Given that cognitive behavioral therapy is one of the best treatments for those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, I aspire to grasp the subject to the best of my ability. Cognitive Behavior Therapy, was established by Dr. Aaron T. Beck. I was pleasantly surprised to have been informed that one of the professor’s at the University is the son of Dr. Aaron Beck. I am confident that I have the requisite propensity, enthusiasm and acknowledgement to make an impactful role in Boston University’s social work field.
As a graduate of Newbury College, I perceive myself as a leader beyond the many things I have accomplished throughout my four years there. I have also gained much knowledge from graduating from the Newbury Leadership Academy, being a peer mentor, and even being an honor student. I have learned that my first-generation background doesn't always have to limit my possibilities. My main objective is to take every opportunity possible that Boston University School of Social Work has to offer. Considering the many courses I have taken at Newbury College that have enhanced my ways of thinking, I am especially interested in sexual assault advocacy and clinical therapy.
Instead of being timid and soft-spoken, I have learned to be clear in my wants, articulate in my thinking, and expressive in my beliefs. Further, I hope to improve my skills during the journey towards receiving my license in clinical social work by bringing my diversity, empathy, and passion to this admirable University.
