Storytellers

“First-generation college students come to UIC because they have chosen to pursue higher education. They have been resilient. It has been a choice that was preceded by a lot of hard work on their part. They should be proud of that identity. Embrace it as an asset.”

“My teachers and my professors, they changed my life. They changed the entire course of my life. To be in a position now where I could potentially do that for other students, I feel like it’s my mission, and it’s the most important thing that I do at UIC.”

“Sometimes, the beauty of not having someone before you is that we make our own rules. There isn’t a bar set or a grade that we must achieve. Rather, we are working to achieve OUR best. By being first-generation students, we can set the path for ourselves. I feel that this is what college is all about. Growing as a person, discovering new interests, and becoming a degree closer to your ultimate career goal. This is what makes me proud of my first-generation journey.”

“What I represent around me is hope. I love proving others wrong and turning heads when it comes to my achievements. I do not plan on stopping when it comes to pushing limits because it is the only mentality I know. Remember that this is not about your circumstances, but your outlook on your circumstances. Our stories can put us down or take us to better places; we decide!”

“Sometimes it may seem you are feeling behind or you feel like you are not doing enough. When I start getting into this mindset I begin to think of what I have already accomplished on my own and continue to do so, even the moments that feel like setbacks, it’s all progress. I think giving yourself credit rather than being your harshest critic is also a good mindset to practice and can greatly influence your future success. Remember resilience is a virtue not a weakness. It can be hard, it can get stressful, but hope is a journey.”

“Learning something new every step of the way is what makes me proud of my first-generation journey. Being the first in my family to go to college has taught me how to build something from scratch, and I can now pass on what I have learned to other first-generation college students. Moreover, making my own decisions and doing a lot of research on my own helped build the independence that I will forever be grateful for after college!”

“During my time in LAS, I’ve learned that, everyone makes mistakes. So, don’t let your fear of making them prevent you from doing anything. There’s no harm sending an email (or text) that isn’t perfect, or, asking a question that you might think is stupid, because someone else is thinking it too. And lastly, in the moment, things may seem stressful, or difficult, but if you take things a step at a time, by the time you graduate, you’ll be amazed at how far you’ve come. So good luck LAS!”

“I believe in college; if you are trying hard and learning something new every day, you will be successful no matter how much time it takes.”