First-Gen Photo Exhibition 2025

What Strengths do you have that have contributed to your success as a first-gen college student?

Perseverance and a strong desire to rise above and break cycles.

What is one piece of advice that you have for other first-gen students?

Utilize the resources available to you, even if it feels intimidating or easier to figure things out on your own. You belong here, and there are so many people here who understand the first-gen experience and are ready to support you and are truly invested in your success and want to see you thrive. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, build connections, and let others support you. You don’t have to do college alone!

What Strengths do you have that have contributed to your success as a first-gen college student?

Curiosity, determination, and kindness.

What is one piece of advice that you have for other first-gen students?

Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

What Strengths do you have that have contributed to your success as a first-gen college student?

Career-driven, a love for knowledge, and satisfaction in knowing I'm pushing myself to find a new limit.

What is one piece of advice that you have for other first-gen students?

Enjoy and savor every little moment, even the tough ones.

What Strengths do you have that have contributed to your success as a first-gen college student?

My biggest strength that drives me to get my degree is my gratefulness. My mom gave me the opportunity to get a degree thanks to her service to our country, I’ll forever be grateful for that.

What is one piece of advice that you have for other first-gen students?

You may want to go into the hardest STEM major because you’re a first-gen student, and it’s an impressive degree at the dinner table, but remember that it’s your life, your degree, not your family’s.

What Strengths do you have that have contributed to your success as a first-gen college student?

My stubbornness and pride allowed me to continue to persevere even when I couldn’t find resources to help me succeed

What is one piece of advice that you have for other first-gen students?

It’s a scary process and there’s a lot of twists that we won’t know as first generation students, but if it something you genuinely want to pursue, do it. Have the courage to keep trying, remember you’re not alone.

What Strengths do you have that have contributed to your success as a first-gen college student?

I’m resilient. I know what it’s like to not have much as a child growing up to have found a lot of professional and personal success.

Use that scar tissue for good.

What is one piece of advice that you have for other first-gen students?

Don’t ever give up.

It does not matter where where came from or how you start. I came from a small town where no one leaves, let alone strives to go to college.
It’s how finish and the good you do with that experience.

Forge your own path. Always give back!

What Strengths do you have that have contributed to your success as a first-gen college student?

What is one piece of advice that you have for other first-gen students?

What Strengths do you have that have contributed to your success as a first-gen college student?

My willingness to ask for help!

What is one piece of advice that you have for other first-gen students?

Believe in yourself! You belong here, you will figure it all out, and there are SO many people across campus who will help you succeed.

What Strengths do you have that have contributed to your success as a first-gen college student?

As a first gen, I often used to feel that not having a family network in academia was a weakness that left me less knowledgeable about how universities work or what pathway to take. Today, I see this as a strength. Lack of pressure to take a certain pathway gave me a lot of freedom to study what I wanted. Mom and Dad were proud to raise an English and Philosophy major…even if they didn’t understand what I studied or what my future career would be. Making my own path has given me confidence to pursue my interests no matter how much they diverged from traditional pathways. Sometimes traditions hold us back, my first-gen status continues to help me move my field of study in new directions.

What is one piece of advice that you have for other first-gen students?

My advice to first-gen students: you don’t have to do this all on your own. When I was an undergrad, I never attended office hours. I never went to the Writing Center. I never asked for help. I was used to doing things by myself and I thought that these kinds of practices were for people who couldn’t. But I wouldn’t be here today without the help of others—mentors, co-authors, peers, and friends—who didn’t just make the path to academia easier but made it less lonely. Don’t be afraid to reach out to someone you admire for guidance and advice. Take advantage of opportunities to collaborate with others. Connect with those who have similar interests and backgrounds. If you’re used to doing things alone, reaching out can feel awkward or hard. If you push through that feeling though, growing your network can be a habit that will help you for the rest of your life.

What Strengths do you have that have contributed to your success as a first-gen college student?

I love to try new things and meet new people which has opened many opportunities and has contributed to my success as a first-gen college student.

What is one piece of advice that you have for other first-gen students?

Taking the first step can be difficult but once you do it, you’ll forget what you were so nervous about.

What Strengths do you have that have contributed to your success as a first-gen college student?

Being first-gen has taught me to be resilient and tenacious, which are two strengths that have contributed to my success both on- and off-campus. No matter how hard things get, I am not afraid to reassess, pivot, and make the best of any situation. Another strength that has added to my success, thanks to being a first-gen student, is that I am able to contribute unique perspectives to the university. I lead with the understanding that a lack of knowledge does not equate to a lack of intelligence. I am always looking for ways to make projects, events, and programming more accessible to all students using language that removes the hidden curriculum, or explains it, before moving forward.

What is one piece of advice that you have for other first-gen students?

Be yourself, ask questions, and follow your dreams. There is a chance that your friends and family may not understand what you are doing or why. Don't let that sway you from following your passion and expanding your knowledge. Choose a major that makes you smile, even if others tell you it isn't practical. You would rather love what you do in the future than regret spending years of your life studying something that makes you miserable. 

What Strengths do you have that have contributed to your success as a first-gen college student?

Grit above all, and knowing myself and that I am capable of doing hard things carried me through my undergraduate degree at MSU. There were times in my degree that I thought I failed at something, received what I thought was harsh feedback, or felt like everyone else was already 2 steps ahead of me. Being able to get back up and try again when I felt down and that I didn’t belong was one of my biggest strengths that carried me through my degree and into today.

What is one piece of advice that you have for other first-gen students?

Don’t be afraid to share your story and admit that you need or want to get connected to resources. As a first-generation student I thought that higher education was a journey that is completed with little-to-no support, from filling out a FAFSA application to walking across the stage. My greatest piece of advice is to keep digging for support in every area you can. Being a first-gen student does NOT mean you have to figure out everything on your own. Don’t be afraid to request a longer appointment with an advisor if you still have questions, stop by or call an office you have questions for, go to instructors office hours for help in courses - just keep trying to get connected and tell your story as many times as you need. You are your biggest advocate. So many people at MSU want to help you be successful! Tell your story so we can know how.

What Strengths do you have that have contributed to your success as a first-gen college student?

I am giving my kids a better life than I did growing up, and they are my strength to get out and do the things I need to do to better their life.

What Strengths do you have that have contributed to your success as a first-gen college student?

As a first-generation college student, I’ve learned that getting involved and building connections can make a huge difference. I’m a very tenacious person, and I don’t give up easily when things get challenging. One of the most valuable strengths I’ve developed is self-advocacy, it wasn’t something that came naturally at first, but learning to speak up for myself, ask questions, and seek out opportunities has been key to my success.

What is one piece of advice that you have for other first-gen students?

My advice for other first-generation students is to not be afraid to ask for help and to get involved on campus. It can feel intimidating at first, but there are so many people and resources that truly want to see you succeed. Advocate for yourself, stay persistent when things get hard, and remember that you deserve to be here, your determination and hard work are your biggest strengths.