Savannah Houser

I am a first-generation college student. Coming from a loving household, my parents did not have the opportunity to attend college. Although my family was very supportive, applying and preparing for college was difficult. Coming into college, I was a dual enrolled student with my Associates of Arts degree, which made things more confusing. I remember in high school listening to my friends discuss the important concepts of applying to college, while I sat there confused. Knowing that I wanted to attend a university, I begin to do my own research and talk to my guidance counselor about what I needed to do. Once I was accepted into UNCC, it was a huge adjustment coming from a class size of 160 students to thousands. I immediately wanted to get involved with organizations, so I became the first UNC Charlotte twirler for the marching band. At first college life was hard, but then I began to make friends, utilized my resources, and become more active at my new home. My advice to first-generation students is to look for resources and to go get involved because that is what helped me through my first year as a college student!