Dr. Sharyn First-Generation in Business Scholarship

As an African-American college, sophomore, and first-generation student, my experience in college has been both exciting and challenging. Going to college has been a dream of mine, and, being the first of my family to pursue higher education has been both an honor and a challenge. I have been faced with a lot of obstacles that I never expected, but I have learned to overcome them and take advantage of the opportunity presented to me. During my first year of college, I had to adjust to many new things, like living away from home, managing my time, and navigating a new social environment. As a first-generation student, I did not have anyone in my family to turn to for guidance on how to handle the college experience. This was a challenge, but I was determined to succeed. I made use of the resources available to me, such as my academic advisors, the tutoring office, and peer study groups for my classes. These things help me manage my workload and keep up with my classes. Now that I am a sophomore, I am faced with a new set of challenges. The pressure to choose a major and make career decisions, especially so early in my college years, is extremely difficult. It seems as though I have to make so many decisions this year on the path forward I want to take. Not only that, but as the workload increases it becomes more and more challenging to stay focused on other things, such as clubs, internships, and academic opportunities. I'll plan to manage these challenges by developing my discipline and creating a more goal-oriented lifestyle. I think this is the best way for me to focus on my work while also achieving my dreams and balancing my life. I've learned from an early age that education is the most straightforward path to a higher standing in life. To me, getting a college education is more than just earning a degree and being a part of academia; it is one of the only ways for me to make a better life for myself as well as for my mom. It is well known that many African-Americans are in a cycle of low income and my family, and I are no exception to that fact. This is a chance for me to achieve a level of success that is not possible for many in my community and the elders behind me. It's also a way for me to expand my worldview and gain a deeper understanding of the world, and the space around me. I believe it's so important to understand the different aspects of life and the world because if you don't how can you say you have lived as fully as you could?