Kean University is home to many first-generation students who have chosen this institution to further their education and explore the opportunities that their previous family members were not able to.  

The following first-generation students were asked questions about their experience at Kean University and what they wanted to achieve with it: Fathima Amaani Faizal, a junior studying biomedicine; Amanda Almeida, a senior studying molecular and cell biology; and Ana Polanco, a junior studying molecular and cell biology.

For most students, coming into college is an easy transition but for some first-generation students it can be harder. This is what they had to say when asked if they felt pressure to get into college.

Faizal: "I did not feel any pressure to get into college. My parents would have been completely supportive of any choice I would have made, had I chosen something different. I always knew I wanted to be a doctor, so since middle school, going to college and entering medical school was the end goal."

Polanco: "Getting into college was something I was striving for. Since I was little, I wanted to have a profession. I used to play being a teacher with the kids of my neighborhood back in the Dominican Republic. When I was little, my dream was to become a lawyer. As I grew up my dream shifted and now I want to become a doctor. College was something I knew I had to do in order to fulfill my dreams."

Almeida: "I always strived for college. I wanted to be in the health care and sciences field since I was about 10, and I knew I would need to obtain a bachelor's to achieve my goals." 

For some first generation students, advice from family members was helpful and needed. This is what the students explained about the advice they received.

Faizel: "My family always told me that having a good education was the key to life. Both my parents did not attend college and they hoped I would make it. They believe that as a woman, it is definitely one of the ways I can empower myself, in order to do great things in life."

Polanco: "My family always used to tell me to study hard and to achieve a career. It did not matter which one, they just wanted me to have one in order for me not to pass through struggles that they passed through." 

Almeida: "My parents pushed me to aim high and want better for myself. Being my biggest supporters, they remind me that nothing worth having comes easily, so when the going gets tough, I get tougher."

When asked what expectations they had for college the students replied with various answers.

Faizal: "Completely different. The image of college you see in a movie is quite different from what the reality is. Moving all the way from Sri Lanka, from the culture to the weather everything was quite different. I expected more partying in college and everyone told me to be cautious about relaxing too much, but it is quite the opposite."

Polanco: "I was afraid of college at first, but at the same time I wanted to overcome my fear and make my family proud of me. I thought college was going to be hard, difficult and something I could not handle."

Almeida: "I pretty much expected what everyone else did; I did not take it lightly but I looked forward to the different experience with classes, newfound freedom, adulthood and making your own life-changing choices."

Transitioning to college can be difficult on its own but for some of these students the college process could have been discouraging. But each student found a way to cope.

Faizal: "The pressure and the stress is so intense that I feel that I have discouraging moments all the time. Even one bad grade can be discouraging when you put in so much hard work. Having a good support group of friends and professors will help, when you need someone to just listen to you vent. The most important thing is to be able to balance everything. I take classes full-time, do medicinal chemistry research, work part-time at ShopRite, volunteer at a hospital and I am studying for the MCATs right now. I try to squeeze in a little bit of fun in between to try and get through it all."

Polanco: "I never felt discouraged. My family motivates me to excel. They have a lot of confidence in [me] and in my abilities. I believe the main reason why I never felt discouraged was because I have a very supporting family. Nonetheless, I have felt overwhelmed in the past. Prioritizing and time management has been my number one tools to deal with overwhelming situations."

Almeida: "Plenty of times. The road to success is anything but linear, and it is super easy to feel like you are not good enough and doubt yourself. To get through the discouragement of the unknown, I clung to what I knew: my faith first and foremost, my family's belief in me, my passion for what I am studying, and the little anecdotes of inspiration that remind me to see the bigger picture of my ambitions."

Going into college can be stressful, especially thinking about how it will be paid, but thankfully there are many scholarships to apply for.

Faizal: "I was awarded the New Jersey Center for Science, Technology and Mathematics (NJCSTM) scholarship for all four years of college."

Polanco: "I received a scholarship named Lupero, Polanco, [and] Paez (LPP) Leadership Award, College Club and The New Jersey Association of New Student Advocates (NJANSA) Peer Leadership Award."

Almeida: "I did apply for one through the company my father works for and received it. I am very grateful for that because I do not qualify for FAFSA."

Lastly, when asked about their experience, each student had a thought to discuss.

Faizal: "My experience has been amazing. I never imagined I would be doing medicinal chemistry research in my undergrad years under Dr. Merritt. Being given that opportunity to work as a research scientist can be very inspiring. I was also recently elected as secretary for the Tri-Beta National Biological Society and I am looking forward to bringing in a lot of events. Getting recognized in college is very hard, but no matter where you are as long as you put in the work and effort, it will be worth it in the end."

Polanco: "College has been a wonderful experience. Since I entered Kean University, I always tried to be involved in the university community. As a result of my willingness to be involved, I entered my freshman year to the Jumpstart program, in which I completed 300 hours of community service at a preschool in Elizabeth. In my second year, I decided to apply to the General Education Department to work as a General Education Mentor. I obtained the position and I'm currently a mentor. I am a part of the Garden State Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation Program (LSAMP) and an associate member of the Tri-Beta National Biological Honor Society."

Almeida: "My university experience was more than satisfying. Obviously, I had fun, met amazing people and friends I intend to know for a long time, the whole nine yards. It was also hard. However, I do not see it as, 'wow, how unfortunate that I had to go through these difficulties,' but rather, 'wow, I grew through these difficulties.' Being the first to graduate in my family seems surreal. But now, approaching graduation, I realize that everything is impossible until someone does it first."