Uncharted Territory

First generation college students share stories of their college endeavors

Filling out college applications without the help of an experienced family member, or having a question about college that your parents and family just can’t answer can be frustrating — even stifling to your motivation. Students who are the first in their family ever to venture off to college often are faced with such circumstances.

Sophomores Chris Schrack and Shane Brooks and freshman Michelle Shuman all had the privilege of being the first in their families to advance to higher education. All three students said the deciding factor to go to college was the chance to obtain a promising career.

Schrack, a media arts and design major, hopes to be a filmmaker. "I’ve done a few amateur productions in the past and I’ve developed a real passion for it," he said.

Brooks, an anthropology major, said, "I am interested in a job with the government — specifically the FBI or CIA — and my advisor told me I would attain the analytical and social skills suitable for a career with any of those departments."

Shuman, an interdisciplinary liberal studies major with a minor in special education said, "I volunteer in Staunton on Wednesday mornings to work with preschoolers with special needs. It’s awesome. I’d like to do it as a profession."

Their family members were supportive and encouraging of their decision to go to college, though some took time to get used to it.

"At first, they were against it because they made out OK without going to college," Schrack said. "So they didn’t really understand. But I convinced them it was a smart move."

For Brooks, his decision to go to college was triggered by a life-altering health concern.

"I had heart surgery in 10th grade of high school, which completely changed how I looked at things," Brooks said. "Before that, I was taking medicine that made me depressed and not care about school and grades. So once I had surgery and got off the medicine, things turned around. I pulled up my grades and realized I was capable and should try to go to school somewhere, so I started looking into it around junior year."

Shuman knew for a while that college was her destination. "It’s something I’ve always planned on," she said. "I’ve always known, even as a little girl."

The first day of college broke new ground for the families of Schrack, Brooks, and Shuman, but for them, it was just another day of school.

"I felt like I was in uncharted territory," Schrack said. "But I also felt like it wasn’t a huge culture shock or anything."

Similarly, though Brooks felt that there were some necessary adjustments, the transition was not too rough. "I just felt like I should write down everything the professors said," Brooks said. "I wasn’t nervous or anything. College isn’t some weird planet — it’s just a school two hours away from home."

Shuman’s first college experiences were comparable to those of most her peers. "I was pretty nervous, but so was everyone else whose parents went to college, so I didn’t really feel like I was different than anyone else," Shuman said. "It was a little confusing navigating my way around campus though."

Since they’ve been in college for over a year, they’ve enjoyed their experience.

"I like college," Schrack said. "It’s what I expected — shallow guys, stupid girls, lots of drinking and lots of sex."

Brooks said, "I like how college is set up compared to high school. There’s a lot more free time and only a couple classes a day."

Shuman added, "I love college. I am having the time of my life. I am completely satisfied with my experience."

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