Being the first person in your family to attend college is an exciting accomplishment and it deserves praise and recognition. It is an opportunity to open new doors, pursue your goals, and create opportunities for your future. However, it can also come with questions, uncertainty, and challenges, especially navigating an experience that your family members may not have experienced themselves.
The good news? You do not have to figure everything out on your own. College is about more than attending classes and earning a degree. It is also a time to build relationships, discover your strengths, develop new skills, and prepare for life after graduation.
Whether you are preparing to start college or are already working toward your degree, Northern Pennsylvania Regional College (NPRC) is sharing five tips to help you navigate your college journey and make the most of your experience.
1. Choose Your College Wisely
Choosing a college or university is an important decision, and it involves more than finding a school with a program that interests you. The right college should fit your academic goals, financial situations, personal responsibilities, and learning style.
As a first-generation college student, consider what kind of support you may need to succeed. Does the college offer academic advising, tutoring, career services, and financial aid assistance? Are faculty and staff accessible when you have questions? If you are balancing school with work or family responsibilities, does the college offer flexible class schedules, online courses, or locations close to home?
Affordability is another important factor. Look beyond the advertised tuition rate and consider the full cost of attendance, including books, transportation, technology, and other expenses. Explore scholarships, grants, and other forms of financial aid that may help make college more affordable.
Most importantly, remember that the best college for you is the one that helps you work toward your goals while providing the resources and flexibility you need to succeed. Take time to research your options, ask questions, and find a college where you feel supported.
At NPRC, students have access to some of the most affordable associate degrees and certificates in Pennsylvania, At NPRC, students have access to some of the most affordable associate degrees and certificates in Pennsylvania, with programs offered in person, remotely, and fully online (asynchronous). The College also connects students with local, state, and national funding opportunities and provides a welcoming community of faculty and staff who care about students’ success and overall college experience.
2. Build Relationships with Faculty and Staff
You do not need to navigate college alone. Your academic advisor, instructors, peers, and student support staff are valuable resources throughout your college journey.
Building these relationships starts with simple steps. Introduce yourself to your classmates and instructors, attend office hours, ask questions in class, and reach out when you need help. If you are unsure about an assignment, struggling with a concept, or trying to decide which courses to take, asking for guidance early can make a significant difference. Being proactive gives you and those assisting you more time to find solutions before important deadlines.
Faculty, staff, and career services professionals can also help you identify opportunities you may not know exist, including externships and internships, leadership roles, professional connections, and career development resources.
For first-generation students, asking for help can sometimes feel uncomfortable, especially if you are used to figuring things out independently. Remember that seeking guidance is not a sign of weakness. It is a skill that will benefit you in college, throughout your career, and life. Nobody has all the answers or can do everything alone, so start by building connections with people who can help you find the answers you need.
3. Understand Your Finances
Managing money is an important part of college success. Tuition is only one piece of the puzzle, and understanding your finances can help you make informed decisions and reduce unnecessary stress and debt.
It is important to understand the financial aid available to you. At NPRC, that includes both federal and state aid for eligible students. Grants, scholarships, payment plans, work-study opportunities, and student loans may also help you finance your education. Grants and scholarships are forms of financial assistance that typically do not need to be repaid, while student loans must be repaid, and payment plans allow students to manage educational expenses over time.
Fortunately, many NPRC students qualify to earn their degree at little to no cost when they apply for federal and state financial aid. Even if a remaining balance exists after financial aid is awarded, additional grants, scholarships, and payment plans may help students manage expenses and minimize the need to take on debt.
If borrowing money is a necessity, it is important to understand the repayment terms, interest rates, and how future payments may affect both your short- and long-term financial goals. We encourage you to contact NPRC’s financial aid office with any questions. The team can help you understand your financial aid award, explore available resources, learn about important deadlines, and identify opportunities to make your education as affordable as possible.
Understanding these options can also help you develop financial literacy skills that extend beyond paying for college. Learning more about your finances can help you make more informed decisions and build a brighter future.
NPRC’s Assistant Director of Financial Aid, Kim Boyer, who is also a first-generation college graduate, shares this advice for students working toward becoming first-generation college graduates: “As a first-generation college graduate now working in financial aid, I know exactly how overwhelming the college money puzzle can feel. My goal is to clear that confusion and empower students to build direct, ongoing relationships with financial aid officers. This partnership is an invaluable, often overlooked support tool. When students connect with us regularly, it not only demystifies the financial aid process, but also gives them a trusted ally when they need to evaluate complex options.”
She continued, “I always remind students that navigating financial aid isn’t a one-time event—the FAFSA is an annual application that needs completed, and our team is here to help them each year. Ultimately, I strive to break down unfamiliar terms so that every student leaves our conversations more knowledgeable and confident than when they started with our office. Most importantly, I am here to remind them of a fundamental truth: they absolutely belong in college, and they earned every bit of their spot here at NPRC.”
4. Invest in Personal and Professional Development
Earning your degree is an important goal, but your college experience can help you develop much more than academic knowledge. It is also an opportunity to build the skills, confidence, and experience that employers value.
Look for opportunities to strengthen your communication, teamwork, leadership, problem-solving, and time-management skills. Consider participating in local non-profit organizations, volunteering, attending workshops, completing internships, or pursuing projects related to your career interests. These experiences are great ways to build your network, develop new skills, and strengthen your résumé, helping you get one step closer to landing your dream job.
Career services can be helpful, and NPRC has a dedicated team available to support students. Our career services team can assist with résumé writing, interview preparation, networking, and identifying career opportunities related to your degree, interests, and strengths. Even if graduation feels far away, developing these skills now while working towards your certificate or degree can help you feel more prepared when it is time to enter the workforce or apply for a new role.
Personal development matters, too. Take time to reflect on your interests, recognize your strengths, and identify areas where you want to grow. Setting goals for yourself is a great way to stay on track but remember to celebrate the progress you make along the way.
It is also important to remember that you do not have to do everything at once. Start by choosing one or two opportunities that interest you and build from there. Every new skill you develop and experience you gain can help you become more confident in your abilities and better prepared for what comes next.
5. Step Outside Your Comfort Zone
Higher education is a chance to explore new ideas, meet people with different experiences, and discover interests you may not have known you had. Making the most of that opportunity often means being willing to try something unfamiliar.
You might attend a community or online event, join a local organization, introduce yourself to a classmate or new potential business connection, speak up during a discussion, or apply for an externship or internship that feels like a long shot. You may even consider pursuing a leadership opportunity or exploring a career path you had not previously considered.
Stepping outside your comfort zone does not mean you have to make big changes overnight or take on too much at once. Small steps count, too. Each time you try something new, you give yourself a chance to learn, grow, and build confidence. You may even discover that something you thought you would enjoy is not the right fit, and that is a valuable learning experience, too.
It is also important to remember that everyone experiences uncertainty. You may see other students who appear to have everything figured out, but they are likely facing challenges of their own. Try not to compare your progress with someone else’s. Every student’s personal circumstances, responsibilities, and career goals are different.
This is no different at NPRC, where our diverse student population includes everyone from high school students to working parents and many in between.
Give yourself permission to make mistakes, ask questions, and learn as you go. College is a time to discover what you are capable of, and sometimes, the most valuable experiences begin with taking that first step toward something new.
Your College Journey Is Your Own
Being a first-generation college student is something to be proud of. You are pursuing an important goal, often while learning to navigate systems and experiences that may be new to you and your family.
Remember to choose an institution that fits your needs, build relationships with people who can support you, make informed financial decisions, invest in your growth, and remain open to new opportunities that come your way.
You do not have to have everything figured out on day one. In fact, most people do not! Take advantage of the resources available to you, ask for help when you need it, and give yourself credit for the progress you make along the way.
Your college journey belongs to you. With the right support, a willingness to learn, and confidence in your ability to grow, you can build a college experience that moves you closer to your goals and prepares you for the future you envision. Whether that journey takes place at NPRC or another institution of higher education, we hope it is a rewarding experience that helps you become the best version of yourself.
NPRC acknowledges that the information contained in this content is complete and accurate at time of publication. It is descriptive in nature and the college reserves the right to make any adjustments it deems necessary or desirable. Updates to programs, tuition, or other academic-related items will be reflected in the online College Catalog or on the respective College web pages. Questions regarding accuracy of content may be emailed to marketing@nprc.edu.