First Gen Programming

Author: Orientation 2022
Posted on August 27, 2022

Coming to university can be an exciting and scary experience, especially if you are the first in your family to go through the process of getting a degree. If this is true for you, then you are what we call a first generation student. A first generation student is anyone who is the first in their family to obtain an undergraduate degree from a university. Not having a family member with university experience to lean on can cause more stress for you. I know when I was getting ready to come to Mount A I was very nervous because I didn’t know what to expect especially since I was also moving away from home. However, when I got to Mount A I learned that we have an amazing program called the First Generation Student Program, which is an excellent support system for all the first generation students at Mount A. The First Gen Den is also a great club run by first generation students with the support of staff members that is welcome to all first generation students. The program creates unique mentorships between fellow first generation students, who are now upper years and professors, who were once first generation students themselves. There are also super fun activities that everyone can participate in too, such as snowman building and flower pot painting. If you are a first generation student reading this, I hope this helps ease some nerves and know that you will have an amazing support system behind you every step of the way. I know from personal experience that everyone in the school is always there when you need help and is wonderful at creating an environment that doesn’t just feel like a school but a second home. To all the future Mounties, we are so excited to have you joining us at Mount A and we promise to make it a great experience! 

Check out the First Generation Student page on MtA's website for more info and resources.