Success as a First-Gen Student
As a first-generation college student who’s almost done with her university journey, I have become increasingly grateful for the resources and support offered on campus for UC Berkeley first-gen students. My first glimpse of this type of support came from my older sister who attended UC Santa Barbara (UCSB). Through her, I discovered the invaluable role of programs like the Educational Opportunity Program and other campus organizations across the UC system. Watching her benefit from these resources during my high school years instilled the value of these programs within me. I know not everyone has an older sibling to guide them, or parents who have navigated college themselves. That’s why I’ve put together this list of key resources offered at UC Berkeley, pointing out some of the ones I have found particularly useful and others I am excited to see expanding.
Before Coming to Berkeley
My journey in learning more about this part of my identity started before I officially became a college student, in part thanks to my older sister, but also because of one special program available to admitted First-Generation Low-Income (FGLI) BIPOC students. As a newly admitted student, I virtually attended bridges’ Senior Weekend in 2021 and listened to Raíces members discuss their experiences navigating Cal as first-gen students. Hearing their testimonies and success stories was invaluable, and it helped me feel more confident in my decision to accept my admission to Berkeley.
If you’re a newly admitted FGLI student know that you are not alone and there is a large community of us on campus! I remember being in your shoes! The first step is acknowledging within yourself and your support system that this is going to be a change and an adjustment, but it’s something you’re ready for, something you’ve been preparing for, and that there is support for you. And it’s worth it. So worth it.
The “First-Gen Proud” sign from UC Berkeley’s National First-Generation College Celebration Day.
Programs Designed to Support You
There are entire departments on campus created and designed specifically to support you—the biggest one that encompasses many of the resources I’m going to discuss is the Center for Educational Equity and Excellence. Here are some highlights, including resources I have personally found useful.
EOP—what is it? The Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) was my first introduction to comprehensive support on campus. It provides support and guidance to first-generation, low-income, and underrepresented college students, equipping them with resources to succeed at UC Berkeley. Here are some program specifics I highly recommend:
- Same Day & Pre-Scheduled Appointments with a staff advisor. I used this frequently as a freshman, and it’s where I received a useful four-year plan spreadsheet that I still use and update, and has helped me keep track of all of my requirements. If you’re doubting yourself on something, it’s very reassuring to check in with an advisor and have them work through a problem with you one-on-one. There are also EOP Advisors across campus departments, including at Berkeley Career Engagement.
- Free things for EOP students. The EOP Bay Wheels Bike Share for All program provides free annual Bay Wheels memberships to students on a first-come, first-serve basis. EOP students can also apply for free Berkeley Art Studio classes—I got to take a film photography class for free through this program!
- Berkeley Student Cooperative priority. EOP students receive a deposit reduction and are given priority housing placements in the Berkeley Student Co-Ops.
- Graduate/Professional School Admissions Exam Prep courses for reduced prices. Up to 50% off LSAT, GRE, and other exams, listed on EOP’s Financial Assistance webpage.
Make sure to bookmark and regularly check EOP’s very comprehensive Resource Board, sign up for their newsletter, and follow them on Instagram @eopatcal so you don’t miss out on any upcoming events or giveaways! (I won a free mini-Kanken backpack from them because I followed their Instagram!)
The Trio Student Support Services program aims to increase the retention and graduation rates of FGLI transfer students. Newly admitted transfer students who meet the eligibility criteria receive an invitation to apply to the program via email. Then, they are able to access advising, financial aid guidance, grad school assistance, and more.
The NAVCAL program helps incoming, nontraditional students navigate UC Berkeley through near-peer and student-to-student approaches. Tristan Soto, a student who participated in NAVAL, told me it helped him become more confident in asking for help: “NAVCAL tries to push you out of your comfort zone with activities designed to benefit you, such as going to office hours to speak with a professor or organizing your Gmail and Google Calendar.” To read more about Tristan’s experience, read our blog, Discover NAVCAL & DSP Support.
The Cal NERDS Student Center offers a variety of programs and initiatives that provide faculty-mentored research opportunities, grad school prep, community building, and more to STEM undergraduates and graduate students. Many NERDS are FGLI, transfer, student parents, and re-entry students.
Free goodies at the EOP table during UC Berkeley’s National First-Generation College Celebration Day.
Take Care of Yourself & Remember You Aren’t Alone
Roughly 31% of Berkeley students are first-gen. We’re all navigating college for the first time, and it’s hard to remember that while it’s a very personal journey, you don’t have to go through it alone. Here are some support services to help you navigate your time here:
University Health Services (UHS) recently started a first-gen, BIPOC student support group called My Parents Never Went to College. Open to undergraduate and graduate students, the group worked to create a safe space for students to share experiences and promote community and tackled topics like imposter syndrome and mental health.
UHS also offers a Preventing and Coping with Burnout workshop. It focuses on how college students can avoid burnout and how to deal with it. As first-gen students, I know we feel pressured to work nonstop, which can unfortunately lead to burnout.
For a comprehensive list of available health resources, from nutritional guidance to identity-based resources, please explore UHS’ Student Resource Guide.
Give Back: Become a Mentor
The Berkeley Mentor Collective launched this year and is a way of matching first-gen upperclassmen with first-year first-gen students. Mentors and mentees meet online or in person at least five hours a month. If you’re interested in making a lasting impact and are willing to share your experience and tips, apply to be a mentor when the application opens up again in August!
If you’re looking for a mentor, check out our blog Find a Mentor @ Cal for a list of mentorship programs offered on campus.
Use All That’s Available To You
I know for a lot of first-generation students it feels as though we don’t have anyone to ask about certain topics that everyone else already seems to know about. This is not true; so many departments on campus are dedicated to helping you. All you have to do is ask. Sometimes that’s the hardest part, but once you do it everything else falls into place.
Advocate for yourself, learn what’s available, and use it. You deserve all of this, and you worked so hard to get here. Don’t forget that, Golden Bear.
Want More?
- Explore more blogs written by or for first-gen students.
- Discover free academic and wellness resources.
- Everything you need to know before starting a new semester.
Melissa Mora-Gonzalez, Class of 2025, is a first-generation student majoring in English and minoring in conservation and resource studies. Feature photo taken by Harjot Kaur.