Struggles Faced by First Generation Latinx Students at Purchase College

Abstract

First generation college students have been known to delay college entry, need remedial coursework, and drop out of college. Fifty-six percent of college students in the United States are first generation (firstgen). This research includes the struggles and difficulties first generation latinx college students encounter. Milagros Pena, president of Purchase College and students from Purchase College were interviewed to get personal experiences. Purchase is known to be a diverse institution. It currently has an enrollment of 25.8% of Hispanic/Latinx students, the majority of them first generation college students. The purpose of this study is to understand how first generation students attending Purchase College recognize that their struggles and experience impact their academic success, social life, self- esteem, financial stability, and their job search. Throughout my research and interviews it is clear that first generation college students are struggling with lack of college readiness, low financial stability, trying to fit in a new atmosphere, lack of family support, and experiencing low-self-esteem and/or self-doubt. Accordingly, Purchase college, and colleges in general, should make a change and include personalized support programs for first generation college students. These colleges should provide financial, emotional, and physical support, and have a job coordinator that helps these students find adequate jobs in their area of study. These things need to be done in order for this trend to stop. If we do not stop it soon enough, more and more first generation college students will continue to experience these struggles. There is no need for college students o experience more challenges than the ones they already have to face. All these struggles and difficulties will lead to academic failure and unfortunately also leads students to drop out of college.