Divya Khan | The Chronicle
For many Mason High School (MHS) seniors, applying to college marks an important milestone. For first-generation students, however, the process also means navigating unfamiliar territory. A first-generation student is someone who will be the first in their immediate family to attend and graduate from a four-year college or university.
Senior Deborah Li is the oldest of three children and a first-generation student. Li said her family moved to Ohio in 2019 to prioritize her education.
“I moved to Ohio in 2019 solely because my parents thought the education [in the Mason City Schools District was] good,” Li said. “Everyone [at MHS] has such good grades, and everyone has really good expectations and goals for themselves.”
Senior Hiyab Megersa is also a first-generation student. Her parents immigrated to the United States from Ethiopia and did not complete college, but have established careers and businesses.
“[My parents] have always pushed me to do my very best in school,” Megersa said. “[They have] always wanted me to pursue a higher education because they never got the chance to, coming from where they came from.”
Similarly, senior Navneet Sohal hopes to pursue a career in medicine, specifically pediatrics. Her parents were born in India and did not earn college degrees.
“I want to hopefully go into med school [and] become a doctor,” Sohal said. “I’m leaning towards somewhere in pediatrics because I just love kids.”
Although their parents have encouraged their educational goals, the students have had to navigate college applications without firsthand parental experience. Li said researching colleges and completing applications independently has sometimes felt overwhelming.
“Knowing that [my parents] do not know much about [the college application process], I feel like I have a lot on my hands,” Li said. “I had to do most of my research [on my own] and ask my other friends [for help applying to colleges].”
Despite these challenges, MHS has provided resources to help students through the application process. Li said college application Connect time sessions allow students to receive feedback from teachers.
“I like how [MHS] has the college application Connect [time sessions],” Li said. “You can just go into [the Connect session], ask teachers to read anything, and they’ll read it and help you edit along the way.”
Family support has also helped students navigate the process. Sohal said her older sister, a Purdue University student, has helped her understand college applications and answer her questions.
“My sister understands how difficult the [college application] process can be,” Sohal said. “She was able to help me a lot [by answering my questions]; she is my number one supporter.”
Despite the challenges, Li said she takes pride in being a first-generation student. She recognizes the sacrifices her parents have made to provide her with educational opportunities.
“I actually feel very proud to be a first-generation student because I know my parents sacrificed a lot to get me to where I am, specifically [with] the moving,” Li said. “I’m proud to hopefully graduate and attend college, and hopefully continue my education if I want to get a master’s degree or something else.”
Sohal also views being a first-generation student as a source of motivation rather than a disadvantage. She encourages other first-generation students to view their backgrounds as a strength.
“I take [being first-generation] as an advantage,” Sohal said. “I want [people] to see me as someone who [used] that experience as a tool to become stronger and better.”
