College Journey from A
First-Generation Latina
Beat
College By Elizabeth Fraga
Eastern Washington University
Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology with a Minor in Applied Developmental Psychology
Growing up, we tend to worry
parents holding your hands up until you graduate
about our future and set goals
high school. Once you graduate, they let go, and it is
we want to achieve.
time for you to make your own decisions. This is a
So I set a goal for myself to obtain a college
huge change, because even though you still have
degree. Now, I’m only a few months from
your parent’s support, you are doing all the work for
graduating and attaining this goal I had set for
yourself.
myself ever since I was a little girl, and it feels so
I have faced many challenges throughout
unreal. I am a first-generation college Latina student,
my journey, one of which has been the COVID-19
and it hasn’t been easy. My college experience has
pandemic. Not only does this affect us physically, but
been completely different than what I had imagined,
it also affects us mentally and psychologically.
but I am happy with the decisions I have made and
College students are considered the most at risk
forever grateful for the people I have met and that
when it comes to mental health disorders such as
have been with me on this journey.
anxiety and depression. This sudden change has had
The transition from high school to college is
adverse effects on college students’ mental health.
scary. Becoming independent, paying for college,
According to a study done by the National Center for
and moving out of your parent’s house, it’s all very
Biotechnology Information (NCBI), over 50 percent
frightening. I decided that after high school, the best
of college students said they experienced increased
decision for me was to attend community college
anxiety levels due to the pandemic.
and obtain an associate of arts degree first. I decided
In the past three years, I have grown mentally
to stay local and attend Columbia Basin College in
and have learned many skills that will help me in the
Pasco, Washington. I had the opportunity to work
future. Although my college experience has been
with people who helped me and my transition
different, it has taught me that there will always be
to a university be smoothly. After obtaining my
challenges, but it is not impossible to overcome
degree from Columbia Basin College, I transferred
them. I am thankful for all the support I have received
to Eastern Washington University in Cheney,
from my family. They have played a huge role in
Washington, where I will be obtaining a Bachelor’s
many of my accomplishments throughout my
Degree in Psychology with a Minor in Applied
college journey. I’m excited to see what the future
Developmental Psychology this Spring.
holds for me and for the many goals I will continue
College has taught me so much throughout my
to accomplish.
LS Elizabeth Fraga.
journey; it has taught me how to be independent.
One way that I like to think about it, it is like your
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