My name is Itzeleen, and I am a first-generation college student pursuing a degree in nursing. Coming from a Hispanic, low-income household, I’ve faced my share of financial and personal challenges, but those experiences have shaped who I am and what I’m determined to do. I’m not just going to college to earn a degree, I’m doing it to change lives, starting with my own community and expanding far beyond. Growing up, I often saw how hard it was for my family to access quality healthcare. Long drives, language barriers, and high costs were everyday obstacles that my family and I had to face. I also witnessed the quiet strength of the nurses who cared for my loved ones during difficult times. Those moments sparked something in me. I didn’t just want to be someone who got by, I wanted to be someone who gave back and helped save lives. That’s why I chose nursing, with a special focus on labor and delivery. I want to be able to support mothers, especially young, underrepresented, and first-time moms through some of the most vulnerable and transformative moments of their lives. I want to advocate for them, educate them, and make sure they feel safe, heard, and empowered because I know my mother was once in that position at only the age of sixteen when she had me. But my dreams go further than the hospital room. I want to bring awareness to maternal health disparities that disproportionately affect women of color and those in low-income areas as well as teen moms. I want to eventually open a nonprofit clinic that offers prenatal education, postpartum support, and affordable care to families who might otherwise be left behind or overlooked. With my medical training, lived experience, and drive, I know I can help bridge the gap between patients and the care they deserve. Becoming a nurse isn’t just a job to me, it’s become a mission. I want to be the person who shows others that no matter where you come from or how much money you have, you can rise, serve, and lead. I want to give other first-generation students and kids from low-income families like me, the hope that their dreams matter, too. My journey is just barely beginning, but I am committed to making it count, for my family, my patients, and every life I have the privilege to touch.

If I could give one piece of advice to another first-generation college student, it would be this: Don’t be afraid to speak up, ask for help, surround yourself with people who have the same goals as you, and believe that you belong even when it feels like you don’t. Being a first-generation student means walking a path your family hasn’t walked before. It means carrying dreams, fears, and expectations all at once. I know this because I’m living it. I come from a low-income Hispanic household, and I’m the first in my family to attend college. My parents have worked hard to support me, but the process of applying to college, figuring out financial aid, registering for classes, and preparing for move-in day was something I had to figure out on my own, and trust me it has been so stressful. No one held my hand through it and honestly, I was and still am scared. I worried that I am doing it all wrong and I felt behind before I even began. But over time, I realized something important: I’m not behind, I'm a trailblazer. Everything I’m doing, I’m doing not just for me, but for my family, for my future patients, and for every younger sibling or cousin who’s watching me go first and going first doesn’t mean I have to go alone. That’s why my advice is to speak up, ask questions, even if you think they’re “dumb,” email the professor, talk to your advisor, go to office hours. You can use every resource the school offers tutoring, financial aid, counseling. These things exist for a reason, and you have just as much right to them as anyone else. Also, don’t let imposter syndrome steal your voice. You do belong in college. You earned your place through your effort, your resilience, and your determination. Your background may be different, but it’s not a weakness it’s your strength. You’ve had to be independent, resourceful, and strong just to get here and hat’s something to be proud of, not ashamed of. Lastly, give yourself grace. It’s okay to feel overwhelmed or confused sometimes. College is hard for everyone, not just first-gen students. You are doing something incredible, and you’re not alone there’s a whole community of us out here cheering you on. So take up space, keep going, and know that you’re building a legacy that starts with you.