First generation students find support at Fanshawe

Students who are the first generation of their family to attend postsecondary education (that is, their parents didn't attend college or university) may face unique challenges in attending school, such as anxiety about not knowing what to expect or negativity from family members.

Jocelyn Fry, who is the first person in her immediate family to attend college, just finished her third semester of Fanshawe's Travel and Tourism program. "It's different because my parents don't know the whole college experience, so they don't exactly know what I'm going through with the course load and assignments, how strict it is to get everything in on time and how busy I really am," she explained.

She said one of the biggest challenges she's faced was that she didn't know college would be so different from high school. "It's a lot different. I don't think people know that when they come in. It's more serious."

Fortunately for Fry and other first generation students, Fanshawe has a support system in place.

Jan Robblee is the student success advisor for all of Fanshawe's first generation students. She provides a listening ear for the emotional side of being a first generation student, and she comes into the job with firsthand experience. "I understand what it's like to be a mature student and also have a family and go to school," she said. She graduated from Fanshawe's Computer Systems Support program 16 years ago while working at the College and raising two public school- aged children.

As the first generation student success advisor, Robblee's main focus is on support, and while she can't have one-on-one meetings with every one of the 3,000 firstgeneration students at Fanshawe, she can point them to resources on campus.

Online, students can turn to Fanshawe's page for first generation students (www.fanshawec.ca/1stGen), which contains information for students and their families. There is also the First Year @ Fanshawe page (www.fanshawec.ca/firstyear), which is a helpful resource that links to all kinds of information about what students need to know about attending Fanshawe. The Becoming a Better Student free online class (accessible through FanshaweOnline, click on Self Registration in the top right corner) offers tips for study strategies, goalsetting, time management and more.

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 Counselling and Accessibility Services (F2010) to explore future careers and discuss the results with a counsellor.

There is help on the financial side of things, too. First generation students can apply to the First Generation Student Bursary once every year. Winter intake students can apply for the bursary between January 21 and February 8; Summer semester intake students must apply in May, and Fall semester intake students apply in September. Applicants must submit a short essay that discusses the challenges and rewards of being a first generation student. This bursary, worth up to $1,000, is based on financial need. For more information, visit fanshawemoney.ca and scroll down to the "Apply for Bursaries" link.

Robblee is hosting a meet and greet event for first generation students on January 15 from 4 to 6:30 p.m. The event will take place in SC2014 in the Student Centre building and will highlight important information about Fanshawe College. It will also feature a panel of first generation students speaking about their own experiences. It's free to attend and there will be food and drinks. If you're interested in attending, send an email to Robblee.

Students who have questions or concerns about being a first generation student can contact Robblee by email: jrobblee@fanshawec.ca or by phone: 519-452-4430 ext. 3914. She is also available to chat by appointment.