What does it mean to be the first in your family to attain a college degree?

A college diploma is not just a piece of . It is not also a decorative ornament that can be displayed on the wall . A college diploma is not only a document issued by an educational institution certifying the successful completion of a course of study . It is a culmination of the knowledge and experience that has been gained as a result of the student 's dedicated effort to acquire knowledge , understanding and skills in preparation for a career . For some , a college degree is simply a course that is earned through blood , sweat

, and tears

There are countless of families who have not earned a college degree due to socio-economic status , health condition , disability or language barrier . In some developing countries , there are parents who prefer to give educational priority to their male children as women are expected to be homemakers , wives , and mothers . Others prefer to work and earn a living . There are those who have taken advantage of the opportunity to face their blooming career in sports and show business as college studies can take a backseat and may be earned at a later time . There are many young adolescents who need to care for their own children , attend to their sick parents or become the bread winner of the family . The reasons for not earning a college degree may be endless but no one could ever dispute the value of education

Getting a college degree cannot be compared to the exaltation that one gets in winning a varsity game for the first time or passing a driving test after many months of practice . The first generation who will make a first step to enter college will encounter several obstacles and challenges after completing their high school education . First , they have to bear the absence of parental support or guidance as their parents may not be knowledgeable about college application requirements or the preparation needed for higher education . Their parents may not be able to accompany them or to assist them in inquiring about the courses that are available in various colleges or universities . Second , they will cope with a lot of pressures from their parents and siblings as expectations are high in terms of completing their studies and excelling in school . The daily pressure will be a challenge as their families are counting on them to be the first person to earn a college diploma Third , since their parents have only attained either a primary secondary or vocational course they do not have white collar jobs and stable incomes to support their children 's education . These students have to rely on their college scholarship , financial aid , loans , and jobs for their allowance and to sustain their studies . Lastly , some first generation students have their own children and families and being in this situation adds more challenges as they need to find a balance between their studies , work , and family obligations

The joy and pride of being the first generation to attain a higher education outweighs the...