Chris Aldana is a first-generation student in the Department of Health and Exercise Science at Colorado State University. Aldana’s interest in health and exercise science stems from an injury he sustained while playing sports in high school. While he was receiving physical therapy, he became interested in the science behind his recovery. This led him to pursue a degree in health and exercise science with a concentration in sports medicine. A class on neuromuscular aspects of human movement especially interested him and motivated him to succeed in his studies.
What does it mean to be a first-generation student?
To me, being a first-generation college student means that no matter who you are, what you believe in, or where you come from, you can always work towards and reach your goals with the right mindset. To be a first-generation college student is hard. To be honest, I haven’t met a lot of people who are a part of the same community. It’s hard because I don’t have that same support from my parents or any other family members. Not just being a first-generation student but also being the first person in my extended family to go to college, so it’s a pretty big deal for me. My family is definitely proud. It also puts a lot on my shoulders, being able to graduate and get that degree. It’s worth it though. I’m setting an example for the younger members of my family that they can go to college as well.
My adviser, Tami Boday, is a big support; she’s been with me all four years and she’s great. I am also a Reisher Scholar. With this, two big support systems have been Natalie Lester and Sam Desta. They’ve been helping me out, guiding me. We do one-on-one meetings and I go to them for basically everything, like how I’m feeling. They come with resources to help me, and they’ve really helped me to succeed.
What would you tell other first-generation students? What advice would you share?
You’re worthy. It doesn’t matter where you come from or how your past has been. You’re worthy of getting an education. If you try hard enough, if you have that mentality, you’re worthy of doing it. Resilience too. I feel like those are tied together. Stay resilient and you can achieve anything you really want. I would also say to not let the pressure of finding a career or pursuing a higher-level education post-bachelor’s degree haunt you in a way where you feel the need to get things done as fast as possible and not be able to go through the process at your own pace.
What comes to mind when you hear the words “first-generation student?”
Opportunity and resilience. Opportunity because my family and I come from a very small town in Mexico where receiving an education higher than middle school was unheard of. Yet, moving to the U.S. and being granted this opportunity changed my life forever. Resilience because I was able to stick with it and push through all the stress, doubts, and many other barriers.
The Department of Health and Exercise Science is part of CSU’s College of Health and Human Sciences.
