What is your hometown? San Diego

What colleges did you attend? Degrees earned? UC Irvine, BA Political Science

What motivated you to go to college? My parents

Describe your college experience as first-generation. My parents went to college in the Philippines and did not really know about the U.S. college experience. They just engrained in me the expectation of going to college. So I really looked to my peers for help with navigating college as a first-generation student. I would get advice from friends who were already there and I made sure to attend the incoming student events that UCI held.

What unique challenges did you face? While in high school, I was always overprotected with strict parents. When starting college, especially since I was moving away from home and dorming, I found a new sense of independence that was both good and bad. I decided that a social life was more important than academics, which was a bad move. I never met with a counselor when I started school. I didn't know the effects of not going to class or dropping courses. No one was there to explain the consequences of my decisions.

How did you overcome those challenges? I eventually got a wake up call when my academic progress effected my financial aid. I realized that if I wanted that degree, I had to meet with counselor, figure out what classes I needed, go to class and study. I put the social aspect of college on the back burner while I focused on school.

What did you advise other first-generation students? Balance is key. It is important to maintain the social aspect of college and grow as an individual, but do not forget the reason why you are in college in the first place... to get an education and earn your degree.