Alec Shlikov has been a friend for as long as I can remember. We split ways in 6th grade but were reunited here in Atlanta. He is a first generation student whose parents were born in Russia. This is the interview between him and myself.
"Whats up bro how are you?"
"I'm doing fine. Not really feeling this cold weather though"
"Yea man I feel you. Hey can I ask a couple of questions"
"Sure thing man go for it"
"So you're a first generation college student, right?"
"Yea. My parents grew up in Russia and moved here, but never attended college"
"What college do you attend"
"I go to Georgia Gwinnett College. I wanna try and major in something that can make me a doctor"
(GGC is a local community college located in Gwinnett County , Georgia)
"Thats what I'm talking about" I reply with a chuckle. "How is your college experience going?"
"It's fine I guess. I only have class 3 days a week. Not too much work"
"Do you have any struggles"
"The work load is sometimes a little too much, considering a work a part time job as well. The books are boring to read as well."
"You just gotta find a subject you love to study and it won't be boring anymore. How involved are your parents with your college experience?"
"They aren't involved at all. They don't even pay for it!" Alec proclaims with a chuckle. "Even if they wanted to help they couldn't really. My dad often asks me with help for spelling words."
"Well you are a good son for helping him. How long do you plan to stay at GGC?"
"I don't know man. I want to transfer though. Ill probably transfer next semester but I have to find out how to do it first."
"Emory better be your first choice!" I say with a grin. Do you feel like you've been prepared for the college environment?"
"Not really man. In high school I took the easiest classes and always slept through them. Some of the classes here, especially my biology class, were really hard. It was so hard I had to drop out"
"Dang bro sorry to hear that. I'm sure you would be fine if you took the class again. Just take advantage of any help you can get, like office hours. Anyways, I'll stop asking you so many questions, lets go eat."
Alec falls under the category of many first generation college students. He is attending a community college while working a part time job. He doesn't know exactly what he should do in the college process, and can not go to his parents for help considering they have no prior experience to recall upon. He is not used to the college work load yet. This may be caused by many reasons, including the level of rigor of his classes in high school and how seriously he took them. Alec is however a brilliant guy with the determination of an oxen, and is sure to go far in whatever he pursues.