Football is Life

I’m at a stage in life where everything feels both exciting and overwhelming: I’m getting ready to apply for college. Like most seniors, I’m juggling essays, SAT prep, application portals, financial aid forms, and endless lists of deadlines. But unlike many of my classmates, I don’t have parents who can guide me through this process.

My parents are immigrants. They’ve worked tirelessly to give me opportunities they never had, but the American college admissions system is foreign to them. When friends talk about how their parents proofread their essays or walk them through FAFSA, I can’t really relate. For me, this process feels like stepping into the unknown — with no family roadmap to follow.

The Daunting Parts

• Essays: How do you write something that feels authentic yet impressive enough to stand out?
• Standardized tests: The SAT isn’t just another test — it feels like a gatekeeper to opportunity.
• Applications: Each school has different requirements, portals, and quirks.
• Financial aid: FAFSA, scholarships, grants — the language of college funding feels like a maze.
• Choices: With so many options, how do you know which school is the right fit?

Each step feels like carrying twice the weight: I’m figuring it out for myself, and at the same time, I’m setting an example for younger family members who may follow in my footsteps.

Finding My Way

While it’s hard, I’ve discovered that being a first-generation student also builds resilience. I’ve learned to research on my own, to reach out to teachers and counselors for help, and to lean on friends who are going through the same thing. I’ve joined online forums, attended information sessions, and spent late nights breaking down scholarship opportunities.

It’s not easy, but it’s empowering. Every piece of the puzzle I figure out on my own is proof that I can handle the independence that college will require.

Looking Ahead

Sometimes the process feels lonely, but I remind myself of why I’m doing it. College isn’t just about me — it’s about honoring my parents’ sacrifices and opening doors for future generations in my family. If my journey feels daunting, it also feels meaningful.

Being first-generation means I may not have a parental guidebook, but I do have determination, resourcefulness, and a vision for what’s ahead. That, in many ways, is its own form of preparation.