By: Tatiana Sosa
When I decided I wanted to continue with my education after high-school, I immediately knew I was going to face barriers – I didn’t know how many or to what extent they would be. I began to question things like who could I rely on? Who will be there for me? Who can I ask my questions to when I have some? No one in my family went to college so this journey was going to be hard, but I didn’t let that discourage me. If anything, I used it as fuel to do better and prove to my family and myself that I can do it. For a while, I always wanted to work in healthcare – I knew healthcare was for me because of childhood experiences I faced and because of it, it inspired me to take that route. When I got accepted to different colleges I applied to, I decided Roosevelt University was the best option for me. Everything about the school excited me and I felt so happy to start this college journey. Once I did start college August of 2018, I quickly started to experience imposter syndrome. I started to think that university setting was not for me, and it made me have this mindset where I told myself “See, you even knew it yourself while in high school that college wasn’t for you”. I felt so out of place and like I didn’t belong. Because I am a first-generation student, I didn’t understand the route a pre-pa student needed to take to be able to get into a PA program. I began to realize that I was majoring in the wrong thing, taking the wrong classes, and not meeting requirements I should’ve to be on the right timeline. It was around the end of the sophomore year when I realized this and it really upset me because I felt like I failed – I failed at not knowing any better, failed for not fitting in better to meet peers that could help me, failed at college so far. I had to do a lot of research on my own to understand the pre-PA route which is when I switched from a health science major to a biology major! I’ve always loved biology and with this major, I would be able to take the classes I need to fulfill pre-requisites for different programs. It was at the beginning of my junior year when I met a professor who would then make me realize the potential I had. I finally broke out of my shell, made friends/peers, and started to notice my worth at Roosevelt. I was motivated to take on leadership roles like peer tutoring, becoming a co-founder of a university club called LatinMed and Allies and now working for SPA. I knew taking on these roles would be such a good thing because I would be able to provide and serve for those who are in a place that I was in at the beginning of my journey. As my college journey continued, I learned much more about the pre-pa profession through different resources which also encouraged me to get my CNA certification. I look back at the challenges and hurdles I faced especially throughout the first 2 years of my journey, and it amazes me because I see how much I’ve grown as a student, a mentor and as an individual outside of school. A lot of effort was put in and I am so proud of where it has got me to – I want nothing more for other first-generation students to feel the same way when they reflect on their college journey. The help is there and that is the key part in this journey. For those who are first generation, no matter what route you are going, I want you to know your journey and story matters. There is help all around you and everyone who crosses your path is on your side. You will get through this journey because you did so much to start it and if you can do that, you can finish the journey on a strong note. To be a first generation is a honor and we are building a bridge to end the gap and stigma that surrounds us. I hope my story inspires other first-generation students who find themselves struggling. I am always here if anyone needs advice or help with resources, academics and life. Our SPA office can be found in WB 909 but my email is [email protected] if you ever want to directly contact me!
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