Montclair State University: 'What I Wish I Knew As A First-Generation College Student'

Press release from Montclair State University:

At Montclair State University, where 42% of this fall’s incoming students were first-generation, students reflected on what they wish they’d known at the start of their college journeys. In honor of National First-Generation Celebration Day on November 8, students and alumni shared advice — from building a support network to navigating financial aid — to help other first-gen students thrive at Montclair and beyond.

Meet Our Students

Sarai Nam, Senior

Dulce Meneses, Senior, Bloomfield College of Montclair State University

Andrew Suarez, Senior

Sara Castiblanco, Sophomore

Angela Castro, Junior

Alumni and Staff Voices

Claudio Josuel Alejo ’19 MA

Alvert Hernandez ’18 MA

Building a Supportive Community

Sarai: “As a first-generation student, it’s really important to build a supportive community because college isn’t something you should go through alone. Connecting with people who have experience in your field is invaluable for your success.”

Andrew: “Navigating college without family members who attended can be challenging. Seeking mentorship from professors, advisors, and peers made a big difference for me. Having their support helped me find my direction and eased the stress.”

Sara: “Professors are here to teach, but they’re also willing to help us with questions. Asking for help costs nothing, and it prevents mistakes.”

Taking Charge of Your College Journey

Angela: “The hardest thing for me to navigate as a first-generation student was knowing how to ask for the help and resources I needed. Often, first-gen students feel alone in handling academic and school-related challenges because our parents lack experience in these areas. As a result, we hesitate to ask for support. Looking back, I wish I had sought more guidance early on in my college journey.’

Sara: “Completing college applications and FAFSA was difficult for me because I had to do it alone — my mother doesn’t speak English. I wish I’d known there are YouTube tutorials to help first-gen students fill out financial aid applications step by step.”

Claudio: “As a first-gen and the oldest sibling, I was conditioned to figure everything out alone. But I didn’t have to. Asking for help early is a strength, not a weakness. I wish I’d taken advantage of that sooner.”

Embracing Opportunities and Growth

Dulce: “Taking a leap of faith was scary, especially during COVID, but moving away and living on campus put me on the path I’m on today.”

Alvert: “Lean into conversations you find uncomfortable because that’s really where the growth happens.”

Montclair’s National First-Gen Celebration

On November 8, Montclair joined colleges nationwide to celebrate National First-Generation College Celebration, honoring first-gen students and staff. This event marks the anniversary of the Higher Education Act of 1965, a landmark piece of legislation aimed at increasing college access, particularly for first-gen and underrepresented students.

Trailblazer Achievement Award Honorees

Trailblazer Achievement Award Honorees

Montclair’s First-Generation College Celebration hosted by the Office Student Belonging honored the first recipients of the Trailblazer Achievement Award, recognizing exceptional leadership, perseverance, and impact within the first-gen community. In addition to the two student honorees, two staff members were recognized.

Awarded Staff Members:

Guest Speaker

Alvert Hernandez ’18 MA, Assistant Dean for the Center of Inclusive Excellence at Moravian University, shared insights on supporting first-gen student retention and success.

This press release was produced by Montclair State University. The views expressed here are the author’s own.