First Generation Students

 

Who We Are: First-Generation College Students Speak Out

 

 

Are you the first in your family to attend university?

First Generation ("first gen") students can face challenges different from students who have family members who have been university.

Those challenges may or may not include:

  • An absense of community supports needed of postsecondary education from friends and family. Parents or other supports may not be able to offer advice when a student is experiencing difficulty.
  • Lower expectations or confidence about succeeding at college or university.
  • Limited financial resources.

 

What is Trent doing to support First Generation Students?

Student success is our focus.

Sometimes students aren't aware that they need help until it is too late. A student who has supports at home with university experience might be able to get some helpful advice on how to troubleshoot a problem.  Therefore it is especially important for First Generation Students to educate themselves about student support services.

 

Here are some helpful tips...

First and foremost - don't be shy!

This is most likely the #1 challenge for students

You need to be your own advocate.  Take your learning process seriously and don't be afraid to ask for help. Being proactive is going to lead to your success.

Students can sometimes find it intimidating to contact a professor or TA (teaching assistant - usually a student studying in a masters or Ph.D program). 

Whenever you need help with course content or if you're struggling with an assignment do not hesitate to contact your professor or TA.  You will not regret it!  Contact information will be in the course outline that you will receive in your first or second class.  Faculty members are required to hold office hours as well, so contacting them in person is also an option.

 

I need help with...

Student Life

Academics

Financial Aid

 

          

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Student Life

Get involved - get connected

Students who are involved in the community are more successful academically.

Join a student club or group, get involved in campus recreation, do some volunteer work, spend some time on campus!

In financial need? Working on campus is another way to connect to the community.  You can financially support your education and be on campus!

The more involved you are in your education the more comfortable you are going to feel at Trent.

Resources:

 

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Academics

Need help selecting courses?

If you're not sure which courses your should take, consider seeing an Academic Advisor.  You can get some advice on a specific area of study, which courses to take, ensure you're meeting your degree requirements, etc.

Visit the Academic Advising site by clicking here.

 

Did you get your first paper back and it wasn't what you expected?

Do you understand what you did incorrectly?

When receiving their first poor grade on an assignment it can be a knee-jerk reaction to tuck it away.  Who wants to see it right?  You'll do better next time.

Then the next time rolls around and it ends up being similar to the first assignment.

Don't do this!

If you receive a poor grade on an assignment and you don't understand what you've done incorrectly, seek help immediately! Sometimes students can feel ashamed or afraid to ask for help and as a result don't get the help they need.  There are support services on campus (in addition to your professor or TA) that can help!

Services:

- Academic Advising - meet with an academic advisor!  Make sure you're on the right path.

- Academic Skills Centre - You can review your assignment with someone and understand where you went wrong.  Work on your next assignment well in advance of the due date and take it to Academic Skills.  They will review your assignment with you to help make sure you're heading in the right direction.

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Financial Aid

First Gen students often find it difficult to ask for help and especially when it comes to money.

Trent has scholarships and bursaries that can help!  There is a bursary available for First Gen students as well. Bursaries are awarded each semester.  Application forms are available from the Financial Aid website.

Resources:

 

 

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Here are some Student Affairs Programs that you should check out!!

Trent University is committed to developing its students as leaders.  Impact is an innovative and exciting leadership program that prepares students to assume a wide variety of leadership roles within the Trent community and beyond.  Students who complete this co-curricular experience will have the knowledge and skills to assist them in becoming productive, compassionate and effective leaders.  Involvement beyond the classroom is a vital part of your university education and helps to complement your academic experience.  Impact is a certificate program and an excellent addition to your resume.  Learn, enhance and develop your leadership skills to set you up for success now and in the future.

Click here to visit the Impact Leadership program page.

 

Through a wide variety of interactive and fun activities, Bring it On! provides students with a chance to build strategies for success academically, socially, and on a personal level.

This year's Bring it On will run on three different weekends in August.The weekend activities will include rock climbing, canoeing on the Otonabee River, a hike up the famous Trent Drumlin, and several workshops designed to make your transition to university an easy one!

Click here to visit the Bring It On! page.