My friends were the ones to tell me that I was a first -generation college student and that it was something impressive and to be really proud of.
Monica Olszewski
Undergraduate Student
Share Your Story
I grew up on Northwest side of Chicago as a daughter to two immigrant parents from Poland. The area I was from was was a predominantly Slavic immigrant neighborhood so I was part of a tight knit community where I made friends with kids that were just like me. Back then, I didn’t know what being a first generation student was or how my circumstances built me up to who I am today. Both of my parents came to the United States seeking a better life for themselves and for their future children. My parents always pushed me to explore my full potential and always expressed that college was the best route to tap into that potential, and I agreed with them. I would think of successful business people, lawyers, engineers, doctors, teacher and think to myself that if I go to college I can become one of those people and make my family unbelievably proud. I didn’t know I was a first-generation college student until towards the end of my freshman year. A couple of friends and I were sitting in the hallway of the South Quad dorm and talking about what our parents did for a living. I was the only one who expressed that my parents didn’t go to college. My friends were the ones to tell me that I was a first -generation college student and that it was something impressive and to be really proud of. The beginning of my sophomore year I tried to find a first-gen group to get involved with and found the First Generation College Students @Michigan. Being the President of FGCS@Michigan my senior year and helping initiate community among first-gens and give provide more opportunities for resources and professional development. And hopefully a memorable moment will be when I graduate!!
Your advice for other First-Gen students
Don’t be afraid to ask questions or seek out help. I feel that like growing up as First Generation students we always thought we had to figure out life all by ourselves because we didn’t have anyone to ask when we were younger. There are so many people at the University of Michigan that just want to see you succeed so when your struggling reach out to the community.