Meeting challenges makes us stronger. And that’s good news for Native American students, who are sure to face a few obstacles on their higher education journey. Many of those barriers are encountered by almost everyone navigating college, and a few are unique to Indigenous students, who frequently face hurdles like financial pressures, homesickness, culture shock, and juggling family life with academics.
What’s more, many Native students are nontraditional — they may be older or attending college part time, holding down a full-time job, or caring for family members. They are not alone. A 2017 report by Deloitte Consulting notes that the traditional student model is no longer the norm. “Today, 44 percent of college and university students are 24 years of age or older,” the report states. “Thirty percent attend class part time, 26 percent work full time while enrolled, and 28 percent take care of children or other dependents while pursuing their postsecondary studies.”
But whether they’re nontraditional or traditional fresh out of high school and attending full time, Native students all share many of the same challenges. Here are a few tips for cruising past some of the most common potential pitfalls.
Lackluster College Prep
A serious challenge faced by many Indigenous students is a subpar secondary education. The Postsecondary National Policy Institute has found that “Native American students are less likely to be prepared for college as they are more likely to attend high schools that offer little to no access to advanced placement or college prep courses.”
Fortunately for many, help and advice are in plentiful supply at a host of universities. “Being academically prepared for college-level classes is definitely a challenge,” says Olga Skinner, advisor for the AISES College Chapter and academic advisor for Rural Student Services at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. “Some students come from rural communities where learning opportunities may be limited compared to urban centers. One of the things we do is help students access tutoring.”
If you are feeling even a little overwhelmed academically, be proactive about finding support — like tutoring or a study group — before you fall behind. “It’s OK to ask for help,” emphasizes Sharon Doctor, director of the Office of Indigenous Student Success at Northern Arizona University (NAU). “We provide one-to-one academic, financial aid, personal, cultural, and career guidance, as well as referral to our campus resources.”
If you are feeling even a little overwhelmed academically, be proactive about finding support before you fall behind. ‘It’s OK to ask for help,’ emphasizes Sharon Doctor, director of the Office of Indigenous Student Success at Northern Arizona University.
Family Obligations
Raising a family while trying to complete your education isn’t easy, but you can find help, including some that’s campus-based. NAU, for one, offers a childcare voucher program. Some tribes provide funding for childcare, or students might swap childcare or find it through networking. “Many of my friends have children and we’re all a family,” says Cydney Ky Walters, AISES Region 3 representative who’s pursuing a degree in environmental science with an emphasis on water resource management at the University of Arizona. “It’s my pleasure to help.”
Homesickness
Then there’s the homesickness factor. “Some of our students are coming from small communities off the road system, perhaps even from a village where Indigenous language may be used more often than English,” says Skinner. “Some communities are smaller than one of our residence halls.”
For those students and others who are likely to encounter a cultural disconnect, adjusting to college can be rocky. “The transition from high school to college can be a culture shock, especially for those who are first-generation students,” says Doctor. “Even moving to a small city like Flagstaff is an adjustment.”
Incoming college students can reduce that disorientation if they prepare for it. Anticipating a bout or two of homesickness will help you ease into college life. Some strategies that work are staying busy, meeting more people by socializing and joining clubs, and getting to know your campus surroundings — soon it will feel like home and you’ll start seeing friendly, familiar faces.
Money Worries
No question, one of the biggest concerns for college students is how they are going to pay for it all. You should know what to expect to spend for tuition, fees, and living expenses and also what to anticipate for incidentals and travel. “Ask questions, learn the costs, and be organized in applying for financial aid,” Doctor advises. “In particular, be aware of deadline dates and checking your college email in-box.”
Still, having enough money to live on is a challenge for many, as evidenced by the number of campus food pantries. “For my first two years of college I didn’t have enough money to go shopping for food,” Walters says. “The first thing I did was utilize the university’s food programs, but there were still not enough, let alone healthy, options. I didn’t want to be one of those college students who survive on ramen.” So she learned how to make nutritious meals, relying on food programs on and off campus. “After two years I knew where to go and what foods I could get for free around Tucson,” she adds.
‘Finding a community was one of the first things I had to do,’ says Cydney Ky Walters, AISES Region 3 representative.
Family Buy-In
Another factor students should anticipate is managing family expectations. “Informing parents and family members about one’s desire to attend college is important, so students begin their college journey with a caring and solid support system they can lean on during any challenging times,” says Doctor. Being clear about that conveys the message that your educational goals should be a priority until that degree is achieved. Having the full support of your family and hometown friends can make a huge difference.
Getting Comfortable
Experts advise incoming students to take advantage of the school’s orientation programs. In addition to sessions designed to help all students acclimate, some schools have programs specifically for their Native students. Among its several summer bridge programs, NAU offers the four-day Native Bridge to Success, where seasoned Native peer mentors guide participants through the college transition process and provide them with an overview of the university community and support services. Doctor says that just learning where classes are located on campus can alleviate anxiety and help students adjust. Walters agrees, saying that the University of Arizona’s New Start program helped smooth her way through what can be a bewildering new environment.
Campus support mechanisms can also be helpful in deciding where to live. Walters recommends immersing yourself in student life during the first two years of college by living on campus. “You get to experience what it is to live on your own and enjoy the different activities on campus and meet new people,” she says.
Finding a Mentor
Be on the lookout for potential mentors among faculty and staff, professionals in your field, and especially other students. “I love to help students with their experiences,” says Walters. “I listen and try my very best to understand the situation.”
Doctor recommends that students find peer mentoring programs at the college they plan to attend and within their degree program. NAU’s College of Health and Human Services, for one, offers Native Journey to Academic Success, a program with built-in faculty mentoring, cultural support, and even financial assistance.
Finding Your Fit
One of the biggest challenges for new students can be “finding where you fit,” says Doctor, pointing out that orientation programs and campus clubs go a long way to help. “Finding a community was one of the first things I had to do,” agrees Walters, who found a readymade support system through AISES. “Organizations like AISES help students meet others who share a commonality. The organizations hold events for students to help them with schoolwork and have resources they can utilize in their field.”
In addition to advisors, AISES offers scholarships and peer counseling. “We are each other’s support system,” Walters says. “We all help one another. After graduation, we’re able to find jobs and progress along our career paths supported by the networking opportunities that AISES has developed.”
An organized support network is so important that when it’s missing, students often create it. “The many transitions that some of our students make when attending college are partly what motivated a group of Alaska Native students to voice the need for more support back in the late 1960s,” says Skinner. “Their work led to the development of Rural Student Services today.”
These networks and organizations also provide support in keeping students far from home for the first time on the right track. “Find like-minded peers and allies to help you remember your traditional knowledge and beliefs,” advises Doctor. “Find and remain connected with people who support your educational goals and who can offer positive affirmations.”
For Walters, one of those good decisions is taking time for yourself while helping others. “Always remember to take care of yourself and your well-being,” she says. “It will be challenging, but the success you gain from overcoming adversities is one of the greatest feelings ever. Remember we are all here to support one another and lift one another up.”
