(271)ASSISTING FIRST-GENERATION COLLEGE STUDENTS INBRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN ACADEMIC ASPIRATIONS ANDACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS

摘要

First-generation students are the first in their families to attend a higher educationinstitution. Empirical studies have revealed that first-generation college students facechallenges that hinder their educational outcomes;hence they are less likely to achievetheir academic goals in comparison to students whose parents have attended a highereducation institution. Research has revealed that factors such as lack of parentalexperience, parental involvement and language barriers influence students’ educationalachievements. Furthermore, first-generation students have difficulties in bridging the twoworlds of college and home. The purpose of this study is to examine the challenges thatfirst-generation students face in college and recommend how higher educationinstitutions can implement programs and activities that can help these students overcometheir barriers and achieve their academic goals.