eperez19

[eperez19]

First generation college students have a big responsibility when entering college and have to experience a whole new world full of experiences. Personally, I have faced various obstacles being the first in my family to graduate high school and continue my education by going off to college. I have always had a desire to go off to a University ever since I realized I wanted to pursue the career of journalism my sophomore year of high school. I come from a low income household and money has always been tight. My father being the only person who has sustained the house until I turned 18 and was able to get a job. My parents have always prioritized education because they were not able to get it due to the environment and in which they lived in.  I have always suffered with anxiety and uncertainty when I am put in a new situation and it has affected my college experience when it came to filling out FAFSA, choosing classes, struggling in a class etc. I never had anyone to look up to which made the process 100 times harder. I want to become an example for my younger siblings to strive for success and to work hard to achieve anything they desire. My main goal is to make my parents proud and to prove their sacrifices have been worth it. 

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnT6Yns4bek

Low income households can be extremely stressful and draining. When money is tight there is no stability which creates stress in a household. In today’s era it is seen as normal to be a “broke college student” but it is very hard to go through college and not having enough money for food. I’ve personally experienced not having enough money for necessities and ive had to rely on shopping at the 99 cents store because it was the only place I could afford. This leads to college students living an unhealthy lifestyle by going by what's cheapest which would be eating off dollar menus at fast food restaurants. Students struggling with money tend to focus on working and getting enough money to survive instead of going to class or doing homework. In comparison, someone with a higher class would instead of working be spending that time studying. Additionally, this can create a negative effect on children and college students because they might not be able to get the resources they need. For example, if you are struggling with a subject at school and the only option would be to get a private tutor but you can't afford it, this will make an impact in your education and turn into a slippery slope.

There has been various stereotypical arguments and point of views regarding immigrants. Many will argue that they are lazy and living off benefits while others argue that they are stealing jobs. However, Immigrants come the United States looking for better opportunities, a better life. Moreover, they are hard working individuals who contribute to the economy by working in jobs most people wouldn't do at a low pay in result helping the U.S. economy. Additionally, Immigrants are not only fruit pickers or gardeners, many are highly intelligent and hardworking creating landscaping businesses, nurseries and many more businesses. According to statistics from The Week,“half of America's illegal immigrants are thought to pay income taxes in some form: in 2010, they contributed an estimated $10.6 billion in state and local taxes, and $13 billion in Social Security”. My great grandfather came to the U.S many decades ago in search for  better life for his family. He’s shared with me that when he arrived to the U.S as a teenager it was extremely difficult learning the language and the culture. There are many people who discriminate against immigrants and mistreat them simply because where they come from. Furthermore, it is important to understand immigration is beautiful, everyone wants what is best for their families.

English as a second language is extremely hard but beneficial. A few months after I was born my parents decided to move back to their native land and raise me there until the age of four. I was taught only spanish and when I moved back to the U.S the transition was very hard on me. I remember struggling so much once I started school and couldn't understand a single thing. Each year I would be placed in a program called “ELD” or similar to it (english as a second language) until I reached high school. I clearly remember someone would go into our classroom and take a small group of students into another room to practice our reading. My main struggle when I spoke english would be that I had an accent but throughout the time I’ve learned how to cope with it. Additionally, I have learned to balance out both languages which symbolize two cultures that I value very much and represent me. Today, I am able to read, write and speak in both Spanish and English. I am extremely proud to speak both languages, It is important to embrace our culture and where we come from. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdO9ZA-T-28

Mental health is important and should be taken seriously. Most commonly, college students suffer from mental illness due to factors like stress and anxiety. Personally, I have had a long battle with anxiety which lead me to a deep depression when I was 15 years old. Luckily, I received therapy and with the support of my family I was able to overcome the hard times. Throughout my college experience I have struggled with stress and it has made an impact physically and mentally. I’ve noticed that once we are approaching finals week at school my hair starts to fall, skin breaks out and I start binge eating. I’ve noticed many of my friends from college have the same symptoms during that stressful period. Stress is a huge barrier that can play a huge role in our daily lives. Negative stress can have extreme consequences leading to depression and even suicide. Having peace and tranquility amongst yourself is key. According to Mental health.gov, some of the ways to maintain positive mental health include getting professional help if you need it, connecting with others, staying positive, getting physically active, helping others, getting enough sleep, developing coping skills. Furthermore, it is important to prioritize mental health and maintain tranquility. https://www.mentalhealth.gov/basics/what-is-mental-health