Dulce Vida First Generation Scholarship

The most important advice that I have learned throughout my life is to not let your family’s negativity distract you from your education. Throughout my life, I have heard things such as, “Why are you even in school? It’s not even worth it,” “Michelle won’t even make it through high school,” and “college is a scam.” I have even had family members convince me to quit school because of jealousy. Latinos have one of the lowest rates of educational achievement in the U.S., and there are many variables that impact Latino students, such as being the first in the family to go to college, having financial burdens, or simply being discouraged from attending school. For me, having people around me who did not uplift me was actually one of my biggest motivators in life since high school. I have always loved learning and expanding my knowledge, but when you grow up hearing things like that and have people around you who discourage your academic goals, over time something breaks inside you. It affects you in many ways, and one of those ways is feeling inferior compared to your classmates. Having an inferiority complex contributed to things that hindered me over time, such as not raising my hand, overlooking opportunities, having a conformist mindset, almost quitting school because of what I’ve been told throughout my life, and not realizing my talents and potential. But I have come to realize that although I have been pushed down many times, I cannot give up just because of what others think of me. I applied my own advice, and now I am about to get my bachelor’s degree in psychology, and I aim to help people who have been through the same things that I have experienced. There are many kinds of advice that I could give first-generation students, but the most important is to just keep going and ignore the negativity. JUST. KEEP. GOING. One of the things that I will carry with me for the rest of my life is a quote that one of my professors, who was also a first-generation student, told me: “When you don’t know what to ask, you just don’t ask.” That quote stayed with me because many first-generation students grow up without guidance on how college works, what opportunities exist, or even what questions we are supposed to ask in the first place. Sometimes you do not realize what resources or support are available to you because no one around you has experienced it before, and they will even try to bring you down. When you are going through moments that hinder you, you may not realize their impact in the moment. But later on, your vision will clear, and you will realize that they were wrong, not you. You will see clearly after the storm, but for now, you will have to keep going and work with what you have.

If there is one piece of advice I would give to another first-generation student, it would be to embrace every challenge as an opportunity to grow and never be afraid to ask for help. As a first-generation student myself, I have faced moments of uncertainty and self-doubt. There have been times when I questioned whether I truly belonged in college or whether I could handle the pressures of balancing classes, work, and family responsibilities. But I learned that every challenge is a chance to prove to myself that I am capable, resilient, and deserving of my place here. Being the first in my family to attend college means carrying the hopes and dreams of my mom and those who came before me. It also means navigating a world that my mom might not fully understand. This can feel isolating, but it has also taught me to find strength in community. I have sought out mentors, professors, and peers who have guided me along the way. They have shown me that asking for help is not a sign of weakness—it is a sign of courage and determination. When I first started college, I hesitated to raise my hand in class or to speak up when I didn’t understand something. I was afraid of looking unprepared or unintelligent. But over time, I realized that every question I asked opened a door to deeper understanding, and every conversation I had with a professor or advisor gave me more tools to succeed. I learned to use the resources around me—tutoring centers, study groups, and even just a supportive friend’s ear—to stay on track. One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that my voice matters. As first-generation students, we bring unique perspectives and experiences to the classroom. We understand the value of hard work, perseverance, and community in ways that others may not. Our presence on campus helps create a richer, more diverse environment where everyone can learn from one another. So my advice is this: don’t be afraid to speak up, to share your story, and to let others know how they can support you. Remember that you are not alone, and there is a whole network of people who want to see you succeed. Embrace your role as a trailblazer, and know that every step you take forward is paving the way for future generations. If I could go back and give this advice to myself as a freshman, I would tell myself to be proud of where I come from and to recognize that I belong here just as much as anyone else. I hope that by sharing my journey and the lessons I’ve learned, I can help another first-generation student feel confident in their ability to achieve their dreams—because we are capable of so much more than we sometimes believe.