So You’re a First Generation Postsecondary Student? Way to Go! You’re Going to Do Great.

Attending college or university to earn a diploma and/or degree is a big deal, especially if you’re the first person in your family to do it. Way to go!

Nervous? That’s alright. Everybody gets nervous as the first day of something new approaches. Aside from movies (which are usually hilariously inaccurate in the way they show post-secondary life), college and university life might be a complete mystery to you.

Luckily, you’re not the only first generation student on campus, and there is support everywhere to help you thrive.

Get ready to make some memories!

Cold feet? We can warm them up.

It’s a different world today than when your parents or guardians entered the workforce. Postsecondary is more important than ever before. And it’s a smart investment.

Studies show that people with college diplomas or university degrees earn tens of thousands of dollars more every year than people who don’t. Your postsecondary education also opens up opportunities for health benefits like dental or vision coverage through your job, as jobs that require higher level of education often offer these types of perks.

But it’s not just about the career benefits.

College and university are also about the social benefits. The people you meet. The relationships you make that follow you for the rest of your life. The new experiences; the things you only find with new people in a new place. The memories. The person you become as a result of all the newness.

There are very few experiences in life that impact you in so many positive ways. And you’re on the way to yours.

How to make it happen.

Figure out where you’re going to live. There are all sorts of housing options, and first-year Lakehead-Georgian students on the Barrie campus  are guaranteed a spot in residence. You can learn more about housing options while you study, here.

Find the money. Financial aid is available in all sorts of different forms. There are places you can turn to for help.

Get the support you need. On both campuses, student support is available to help you succeed. This includes help with your assignments or tests, help finding work to pay for your education, clubs to help meet like-minded people, mental health services and more. If you need help with something, but aren’t sure how to go about it, contact the student support team.

Being the first person in your family to attend postsecondary school is a huge accomplishment. You’re going to nail it! But first things first…

Apply to Lakehead-Georgian, or confirm your acceptance today.

This article was original published in April 2020.