My freshman year of college, someone asked me if I was a First Generation Aggie (the first person in your family to go to Texas A&M). “I’m actually a first-generation college student,” I said. They were surprised and congratulated me. I didn’t think much of it then, but these past two years I have learned to appreciate what it means to be a first-gen.
It’s easy to feel alone in college, especially being a first-gen. Sometimes being a first-gen means figuring things out on your own. It means having to grow up a little faster than your classmates. It means getting overwhelmed over the little things. It means having a harder time relating to other college students. But most importantly, it means learning to be grateful for the littlest of things and not taking things for granted.
School has always been fun to me (I’m the nerd in my family) and I always knew I wanted to go to college. I couldn’t picture myself doing anything else after graduating from high school. And for as long as I can remember, my parents have expressed the importance of getting a college education. My parents weren’t able to get a college education. When they were about my age, they left their home country hoping to create a better life for themselves. They left behind everything they had ever known.
The day I left for Italy, I was feeling very anxious. When it was time to say goodbye to my mom, I finally understood how hard it was for my parents to make all the sacrifices they had made throughout their lives (I also cried because I’m a crybaby and I was feeling so overwhelmed). I realized that I was about to experience a little bit of what they went through 25+ years ago. I was about to leave for a different country… with a language barrier… away from my family… not knowing anyone… Although I was nervous, I knew if my parents were able to do it (and much more), then I would be perfectly fine being away for a semester and learning to adapt.
Going to school in Italy wouldn’t have even been an option if my parents wouldn’t have made certain life choices. Life is full of choices. Everything we do on a day-to-day basis is a choice. You choose when to get out of bed, what to wear, what to eat, where to go, what to say, how to react, and the list goes on and on. College can be hard, stressful, and draining. But every day I choose to stay positive and kept my eyes on my long-term goal. Freshman year, I had 8 am classes every day (every college student’s worst nightmare). I would hear my classmates complain about having to wake up early (I would also complain sometimes), but I would remind myself of what a blessing it is to be able to wake up every morning and have the opportunity to learn and grow. Not everyone gets that opportunity. There are people exactly like me that wish they could go to college. I will never take what I have for granted.
Being a first-generation college student is challenging, but it is encouraging to know that so many people before me have been able to do it (including my older siblings). And I hope that someday I can be an encouragement to other first-gens too.
— Ruth Noemi Zuniga <3
Carmen sandia says
Proud First-Gen here…rooting for you from afar 🖤 I felt everything you described and you it’s true you do see the world in a different way. You’re forever thankful for the smallest things, the simple things, and that in itself is a blessing. Learn and grown!
Much love,
~Carmen
Sharon says
Beautiful, Ruthie! Your accomplishments are an inspiration to not only your family but to everyone with whom you come in contact! We’re praying for you knowing you’ll learn many powerful things while in Italy🙏🙏😍