For students preparing to begin college, the first semester can feel like a leap into the unknown. For first-generation college students, the daunting transition can offer an opportunity for growth.
Three College Possible Minnesota alumni—Bryan, Rodkesha and Joxery—know that experience firsthand. Their advice to rising college freshmen emphasizes the importance of mentorship and discovery, whether that’s building relationships, utilizing all of the resources at hand, or exploring new interests.
For Joxery, one of the most important lessons she learned was the value of reaching out. “[Students should] reach out and ask for help and guidance for whatever it is that they’re seeking,” she advises. Joxery graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in psychology before attending Wayne State University for medical school. Along the way, she found that talking with different people and hearing their perspectives helped her make decisions about her future. But she also learned that outside advice should not replace her own judgment. “Go out, get different perspectives, but know that your own perspective is important and it holds weight in whatever life you want to live,” Joxery says.
Rodkesha offers similar advice, encouraging students to make the most of the support available to them. “Take advantage of all the resources you have,” she says. She credits the resources offered through College Possible mentoring as the key to successfully graduating from Jackson State with a marketing degree. Even when students do not have a specific problem to discuss, she encourages them to stay connected with their mentors. “[College Possible coaches] are literally there for you,” Rodkesha says. “They want to see you succeed.”
Bryan, a graduate of the University of Minnesota, encourages students to get involved, reminding them that, “networking, meeting new people, and getting new experiences” can continue to benefit them long after graduation. His own College Possible coach pushed him to get involved in campus activities, which helped him navigate college, and eventually, his career. He also encourages students to experiment and create something of their own. “[College is] one of the best times to experiment with what you want to do and things you want to try,” Bryan says. He states that his propensity towards exploration helped him build the confidence to start his own marketing agency while also working in Medtronic’s marketing department.
As rising college freshmen prepare for their next chapter, the message from these alumni is clear: Try something new. Ask questions. Seek out people who can help. That ongoing support is at the heart of College Possible Minnesota and empowers students to navigate college and build their futures.
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