In 2010, we recruited and trained 25 student researchers in Tennessee and Washington state as part of our “Hear Us Out” project. The student researchers asked their peers about the college supports they were (or were not) receiving, in and outside school. Almost 5,000 students completed the written survey and another 225 students joined student-led focus groups and interviews.
We invite you to explore and download the materials we present here—our “making it to college collection.” Use these handouts, videos, and books with students who seek to put and keep college in their sights.
Who is a college advisor? The way we see it, there are lots of folks who can or do carry the title “college advisor”: school counselors, teachers, mentors, “near peers” (students who are in college and want to help those following in their footsteps), coaches, religious leaders, youth advocates in the community, afterschool and summer program staff. http://www.centerforyouthvoice.org/Center_for_Youth_Voice/Hear_Us_Out.htmlhttp://www.firstinthefamily.org/orders/index.htmlshapeimage_1_link_0


BOOKS


First in the Family: Advice About College from First-Generation Students—Vol. I: Your High School Years

 “If we can do it, so can you!” That’s the message sent to students in this advice book, written with college students who were the first in their families to go past high school. It’s tough to aim for college if other family members have not—so this book offers the kind of encouraging, practical guidance that an older sibling would give. Inspiring stories of the diverse student contributors—who end up at institutions from community colleges to elite universities—combine with warm and well-organized counsel and checklists. This first volume is geared towards students in grades 8 - 12.


See “flip book” (page through the book online).

Order a copy (deep discounts for bulk orders).

First in the Family: Advice About College from First-Generation Students—Vol. II: Your College Years

In Vol. II of First in the Family, sixteen first-generation students, in their last years of college, speak powerfully about the challenges facing those who arrive at college with only hope and courage as their legacy. They tell of the culture shock of arrival at college, then remind students what strengths have brought them this far. They give blunt counsel on keeping up with academics in the face of discouragement. They emphasize the know-how that passes down through generations of college-educated families: building relationships with professors, choosing courses that can open new doors, managing time.


See “flip book” (page through the book online).

Order a copy (deep discounts for bulk orders).

VIDEOS

Check out the videos we’ve produced with students in the Video section of this website. Contact info@firstinthefamily.org if you would like a free copy of “How To Make It To College” and one or both of the videos from the “Hear Us Out” project.

“HEAR US OUT” STUDENT RESEARCH REPORT


See Center for Youth Voice in Policy and Practice @ WKCD

College Yearshttp://www.firstinthefamily.org/collegeyears/index.htmlhttp://www.firstinthefamily.org/collegeyears/index.htmlshapeimage_2_link_0


Who is a college advisor? The way we see it, there are lots of folks who can or do carry the title “college advisor”: school counselors, teachers, mentors, “near peers” (students who are in college and want to help those following in their footsteps), coaches, religious leaders, youth advocates in the community, afterschool and summer program staff.

Here we provide a directory of the books and videos we’ve developed as part of our First in the Family campaign. We have sold and/or distributed over 100,00 copies of our two First in the Family: Advice About College books (Your High School and College Years). Both books are available at cost, when bought in bulk.

The Downloads section of this website includes an array of PDFs we have developed, along with articles by others on important topics (e.g., advising undocumented students) and the few Spanish-language materials we’ve come across.

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