Vol. 119, No. 28 Nov. 29-Dec. 2, 2018 ‘Break of UP students are first- THE CYcle’ 19% generation college is hard enough — especially if you’re the first By Lauren Lee By the time Young could “listen ed the organization based off students do not know where to a good paying job because a lot of THE DAILY COLLEGIAN and understand,” Hazzard said of her experiences as a high turn for help. times the family are really relying she taught her daughter the im- school counselor for 10 years in “Unfortunately there’s still a on you then,” Gilfillan said. In today’s world, many portance of getting a higher edu- Chicago. Gilfillan said most of big stigma surrounding being The pressure also comes from consider attending college after cation. her job was helping students with first gen,” Gilfillan said. “A lot the student themselves to get graduating from high school a “I wanted her to break the cy- career readiness after gradua- of first-gen students don’t feel straight A’s and balance a social natural and expected next step. cle,” Hazzard said. “To go to col- tion. She realized “quickly” the comfortable letting others know life, Gilfillan said. But for others who are the first lege, and not be a young single students whose parents didn’t at- because sometimes people view When students do run into prob- members of their family to attend mom.” tend college had different needs it as a sign of weakness, when re- lems in college, they can some- a higher education institution, it’s From the beginning, her en- than others. ally they’ve overcome a lot more times “feel ashamed” to tell their more than just a big transition — tire family wanted Young and her Now a graduate student at barriers than continuing gen stu- families they are struggling, it’s something new altogether. cousins to go to college, as they Penn State with a focus of coun- dents have.” Gilfillan said. For Penn State student would become the first genera- selor education, Gilfillan wanted “Sometimes I worry that if I Taylor Young, getting accept- tion to go to a university. to continue mentoring first- Pressure to be perfect don’t do perfect in college and if ed into the university and the “They said ‘You’re going to col- generation college students but As the first of her family to go I’m not the best at everything, I’ll Schreyer Honors College likely lege no matter what. We don’t realized there wasn’t a central to college, Young has set personal let them down,” Young said. meant more to her than most. As know how the process works to resource group on campus. As a high expectations for herself. Other times, families of first the first in her family to go to col- get there, but we’ll figure it out,’” result, Gilfillan created her own Currently, Young is the secretary generation students try to ap- lege, Young’s achievement was a Young said. organization. of the College of Education Stu- proach issues differently. major breakthrough for her and “If they’re on campus, they be- dent Council, a member of the “First gen families are more her family. ‘Still a big stigma’ long,” Gilfillan said. outing club, was a teacher’s as- likely to say ‘You tried this, it’s Her mom, Christina Hazzard, For most college students, ap- In total, Gilfillan said 19 per- sistant and tutored at State Col- OK to come home,’” Gilfillan said, had Young right after she gradu- plying to colleges is stressful. For cent of students at Penn State’s lege High School. “versus we see continuing gen- ated from high school. a first generation student like University Park “I worry a lot because I eration parents are more likely to “I was a bad kid, so having Tay- Young, the application process campus are first- would never want to let my fam- push the student and help them lor completely changed my out- was “very emotional.” generation stu- ily down,” Young find resources.’” look on life,” Hazzard said. “She’s “Just because I had no idea dents. I worry a lot said. “They’ve What can help aide first-gener- my saving grace.” where to start,” Young said. “But “First-genera- because I would worked so hard ation students from the pressure A few months after Young luckily I had a college and career tion students over- and sacrificed is to normalize it and understand (sophomore-secondary educa- office at my high school.” come a lot more never want to let so much for me that college is hard in general, tion English) was born, her father As a freshman, Young was barriers, which is my family down. to be able to be Gilfillan said. “It’s okay to get a left the family. Young’s grandpar- looking up organizations to join something to be “ here. My mom B,” Gilfillan said. ents helped to raise her. when she came across “First proud of,” Gilfillan They’ve worked so could have very “My mom is one of the hardest Gen Advocates” and immediately said. hard and sacrificed well saved her An invisible identity workers I’ve met in my life. She’s thought “how cool” it was to have Questions of money and For Young, there is no specific my inspiration for everything and such a group. finances or not so much for me to bought things type of person who looks like a I’m proud of her for raising me,” During her time as a member, knowing how to be able to be here.” for herself but first-generation student. Young said. Young has been able to attend register and enroll instead gives Her professors did not realize As a young single mom, Haz- panels made up of professors into classes with- Taylor Young me money for she was a first-generation stu- zard’s biggest obstacle was fi- who were first-generation stu- out a parent who Sophomore groceries and dent until she told them. nances. Without a college degree, dents and become peer mentors. has been through books.” “I think people are good at hid- finding a job with high pay and The mentorship program is a way a similar situation Because Haz- ing it,” Young said. “We’re all just good benefits was even more for students to check in with each can be “overwhelming and intim- zard wanted her daughter to normal people.” challenging. other once a month for support. idating,” Gilfillan said. succeed in school, she wonders In the beginning, Young said Young said her mother would “Sometimes I worry as a first Initially, paying tuition seemed if she was “too strict on Taylor,” she wasn’t embarrassed to be a sometimes “feel guilty” because gen student that I’m kind of like an impossible task for Young. when she was growing up — even first-generation student at Penn she wasn’t able to provide luxu- alone,” Young said. “Because After a semester went by, Young though she had good intentions. State, but felt she wasn’t able to ries other families could give to some of the things just seem very said she received a notification on Gilfillan said in most situations express that with her friends. their children. obvious to other students because LionPath stating she was on aca- she sees the student’s parents “I felt a little bit different,” “I wish I could write a check they have their families knowl- demic probation because she did being “so supportive” of their Young said. “Now, I’ve been able like other families can,” Hazzard, edge to help them, so it’s good to not pay her tuition. “I didn’t even child as the first of the family to to embrace my first-gen status. who is a head custodian at North have other people who can help know where to pay my tuition,” attend college that it ends up put- It’s something that I’m proud of Penn School District, said with a me who have gone through the Young said. ting more pressure them. now.” shaky voice. “I don’t know what same thing.” Additionally, one of the big- “Not only is the student navi- I’d do without Taylor applying for Beth Gilfillan, the president gest problems Gilfillan has gating it alone, there is a pres- To email reporter: [email protected]. scholarships and grants.” of First Gen Advocates, start- noticed is that often times sure to graduate on time and find Follow her on Twitter at @lauren_llee. EDITOR’S VIEW | KELLY POWERS Big Move: The Collegian’s future home Diane Davis Otter was the robust push for multimedia and has not been the only one first full-term Daily Collegian video — and even executed a making plans. editor in the James Building. contested decision to cut the The Collegian intends to move That came after once-daily print product to just in on an “external invitation” she and her fel- twice weekly as 2017 closed. brought down by Dean Marie low colleagues All of this was in active aims Hardin, to rent space within the were forced to to chase the ever-evolving incoming Donald P. Bellisario leave their nature of a field we prepare Media Center, set to open where “home” in the students to enter — putting present-day Willard stands by Carnegie Build- them through many shifts in a roughly December 2020. ing, about 30 short period. And times do not To be situated in a closed, years ago.