Nearly a quarter of students at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga are first-generation college students, and with this status come responsibilities, expectations and new experiences.
For first-generation college students, the pressure of knowing which steps to take on campus can feel overwhelming. Understanding the pressure some students may face, First Gen Week—taking place from Nov. 3-7—gives students a chance to build a community and have their questions answered.
Starting with the First Gen Week Kick Off from 2-4 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 3, at Chamberlain Circle, the week provides students with an opportunity to make new connections on campus while enjoying free swag, lunch and even a chance to climb a rock wall.
Melissa Laseter, working with Student Success Programs, helped organize the week of festivities. Working with first-generation students for 17 years, Laseter said she is passionate about working with eager students.
“They’re such an interesting group because they have a determination and a tenacity that you don’t always see with just anybody,” she said. “They know the value of what they’re doing.
“They understand that they’re the first person in their family to do what they’re doing. Whether they know that before they start it or figure it out somewhere along the way, there’s kind of a heavy burden to carry in some ways.”
Laseter explained that some of the common issues first-generation students may face are simply a lack of knowledge. Knowing what questions they need to ask or who to direct them to is a common issue, she said.
“It feels like you are walking into your friend’s house and they’ve started a TV show and you miss the first two episodes,” she said. “Everybody else knows what’s going on. They know the characters. They know the plot. You’re smart. You can pick it up. You can figure it out, but there’s a whole lot of ‘Who is that? What does that mean? What’s that about?’ It would’ve been really helpful if you had the first two episodes.”
Laseter said the goal of this week is to show students support by giving them access to a community that knows their needs.
“Giving them a mentor—giving them access to a grown person who is not going to find their questions silly, who’s not going to dismiss their questions, who’s going to support them is the best thing we can do,” she said. “We all need a grown-up in our lives, a more grown-up grown-up than we are.
“We need somebody who’s looking out for us and who knows how to ask the questions that we don’t know how to ask. I tell students all the time, if you put your butt in a seat in my office, I’ll help you figure it out.”
First Gen Week calendar:
Monday (Nov. 3)
- 2-4 p.m., First Gen Week Kick Off, Chamberlain Circle
Grab some swag, take a photo and share your journey.
Tuesday (Nov. 4)
- 4-6 p.m., Reach New Heights, Aquatic and Recreation Center
Rock climbing with first-gen students,
Wednesday (Nov. 5)
- 11 a.m.-1 p.m., First Gen Connections, The Aviary
Have lunch and meet new people.
Thursday (Nov. 6)
- 3-5 p.m., Refuel For The Journey, Lupton Hall first floor
Make. Create. Recharge.
Friday (Nov. 7)
- 2-4 p.m., Map Your Impact, University Center Room 274 (Student Outreach and Support)
Community service with Scrappy’s Cupboard.
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