People who are the first generation of post-secondary students in their family — that is, their parents didn't attend college or university — may face special challenges in attending school, such as anxiety about not knowing what to expect or negativity from family members.

Luckily Fanshawe has a support system in place for these first generation students, who make up between one-quarter and one-third of the student body.

Deborah Bomans is the Student Success Advisor who works with first generation students from all schools. "I'm basically the first link for these students," she said. She sends out a welcome email to all the students at the beginning of each semester describing her role within the college, what she can offer and how she can help them. "If there is any anxiety that students are experiencing, whether it's about parking or housing or anything, they can contact me right now and get some of that out of the way."

She said she brings her own first-hand knowledge of being a first generation student to the job. "I grew up, for the most part, without a phone," she remembered. "(Last year,) in my initial email to the students, I said, 'I understand some of the hardships or things that are coming at you out of the blue. When I was in Sarnia (attending Lambton College), I didn't even know how to make a longdistance telephone call.'"

Using her first-hand experience, Bomans focuses less on the academic side of counseling, and more on the emotional experience of being the first person in a family to attend post-secondary education.

First generation students can come from a variety of backgrounds: from immigrants to Canada to middle-aged workers looking for further education or to hone specific skills, Bomans has helped students of all ages from various programs at Fanshawe. "Each person has their own story and, based on their unique experiences, faces different challenges and requires different areas of support," she said. She mentioned an 18-year-old who was overwhelmed with the college experience and a 56-year-old who was faced with a second career.

Fanshawe has a number of supports available to first generation students, and Bomans described the supports as being enhanced versions of the ones all students receive. One source of support is the peer mentors program. "We have students in their second and third years who are first generation students. They are willing to connect with new first generation students to help support them. It may be academic in nature, or it might be just somebody to talk to," said Bomans. Last year, one such student was a refugee who wanted to know about the protocol and manners expected in Canada. He taught his mentor about his home country as his mentor guided him through life here. "It was a great experience," said Bomans.

Another source of support is the staff at Career Services (D1063), who have online services to help students find jobs, define strategies for effective job searches and more. Students can also take a personality and aptitude test at Counseling and Accessibility Services (F2010) to explore future careers and discuss the results with a counselor.

There is help on the financial side of things, too. The First Generation Student Bursary is available for a number of students in September and January, and can be applied to once per academic year. This scholarship, worth up to $1,000, is based on financial need. Students apply by writing a 250- word essay about their experience being a first generation student. Applicants must be enrolled in a full-time program and must meet Canadian Citizenship criteria. This semester, apply for the scholarship between September 26 and October 14. For more information, visit fanshawemoney.ca

Another resource for students is the Ready For Fanshawe? page found online at www.fanshawec.ca/ready. Bomans described the page as a series of 16 questions that covers all aspects of student readiness prior to arrival at Fanshawe. After completing the survey, "Information is provided giving them direction or support depending on their answers," she said. "Live links and a PDF with their information is emailed to them in the event they wish to keep or print the information. It can also be used as information for prospective and future students to help educate them about areas to consider when planning for their college experience."

Bomans is hosting a First- Generation Meet 'n Greet for firstyear students on Tuesday, September 20 from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in SC 2012/2014. Learn about college services, becoming a better student and listen to a panel of mentors and peers discuss what to expect.

Students who have questions or concerns about being a first generation student can contact Bomans by email at dbomans@fanshawec.ca, by phone at 519-452- 4430 ext. 3953 or drop by her office in G3001. Students can also check out the Facebook page at tinyurl.com/fanshawe1stgenfb. For more information about the supports available to first generation students, visit www.fanshawec.ca/1stgen.