Student overcomes challenges transitioning to college as first-gen student

For many first-generation college students, transitioning from high school to college can be a difficult challenge.

Indya Smith, a senior majoring in psychology with a minor in social work, is a first-generation college student from Saint Louis striving for success.

Smith graduated from Kirkwood High School, and said with the inspiration of her older sisters, there was no doubt she would succeed in her next chapter as an undergraduate student.

“I feel like my older sisters set up this foundation for me to hold myself to a higher standard and to be an educated Black woman,” Smith said. “I always thought to myself what would it look like if all my sisters had degrees, and I didn't get mine. Having my sisters on my side helped me prepare myself mentally for college,” Smith said.

Although Smith felt she was prepared mentally, she said her emotions began to take over as she started her journey alone as a freshman.

“When I first left for college, I was really scared,” Smith said. “I thought I wasn’t going to have any resources or make friends. I thought it was going to be really hard to get to and from my hometown, because I didn’t have a car at the time, but I learned quickly that it’s other ways to get around.”

Smith said she faced many challenges and still had the motivation to keep going. But after losing a parent, she began to question her ability to continue.

“My dad passed away last semester, and that was my hardest semester, because I was dealing with so many emotions when it happened,” Smith said. “It made me not want to continue school; my gpa went down severely, but thankfully, the dean of students and counseling department worked with me, which helped me continue on.”

The passing of Smith’s father also played a vital role in Smith’s motivation to persevere, to be the first-generation college student to break the cycle.

“My inspiration to continue on was remembering the last conversation I had with my dad,” Smith said. “I told him I would finish, so I held on to that, because I know he wouldn’t want me to not finish.”

Smith is a part of the TRIO/Mcnair Scholars program and said the program has helped her evolve in her personal and professional lives.

“Trio has taught me the importance of building connections on campus,” Smith said. “If you stay in the same mindset of not wanting to meet new people, or ‘I’m not going to reach out to this person,’ you could miss out on important opportunities.”

Smith will graduate with a bachelor of science degree in December 2022 and afterwards, plans to pursue a master’s degree in counseling. She encourages first-generation college students to take advantage of opportunities at SEMO.

“I would advise students to use their resources and to get involved on campus,” Smith said. “This is important, especially in college, because the more people you know and connections you make, you’re setting your future self up for success.”