Jennifer Alvarado

What was it like being among the first in your family to go to college?  Tell us about your story, and what you think has helped you succeed so far at UP?

Being one of the first in my family to go to college is something I still can't wrap my mind around. I know when I was first applying to colleges, I felt the most stressed and alone, just because I had no idea what I was doing. Once I made my decision to come to UP, my next issue was adapting to college life as a first generation student. For me what helped me succeed my freshman year of college was asking questions. There were a lot of things I didn't know and asking my professors questions during office hours, asking for advice from my mentor and friends was what helped me learn and push through my first year.

 What does it mean for you to be a part of the FGEN community and to be a FGEN Student Ambassador at UP?

Being a part of the FGEN community brings me great pride. I'm very fortunate to be involved in a community where we're all encouraging one another, learning as we go through our own individual college journey. To be an FGEN student ambassador is quite the honor and I hope to continue to uplift FGEN students going through their first year of college.

What is your advice to FGEN students at UP who are facing challenges?

Don't be afraid to reach out and ask for help. I think a lot of us are so used to figuring things out on our own that we forget that there are those around us that are here to help. We all face struggles, as first generation students and sometimes just realizing that you’re not alone can be comforting.

Has a mentor played a role in your experience at UP?  How so?

My mentor played a significant role with my first year at UP. Being a first generation student herself, she was someone I could turn to in anytime of doubt or struggle. Not only was she my mentor but she was also my friend, willing to listen and give me advice, encouraging me to try new things and introducing me to new people.

What resources have been significant, meaningful, or helpful for you during your UP experience?

UP offers a wide range of resources that have been extremely beneficial to all students. As a freshman there were so many resources I had no idea about but I think the most helpful resource for me would have had to been the UP tutoring center as well as the career center. These two sources allowed to me to receive further help and I've seen that most students have benefited immensely from both of these centers.

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