First Generation – Wanda Lyons

Tell us about yourself

I was determined that I was going to get my bachelor’s degree. Not one of my siblings graduated from high school like I did. My mother only saw one child walk across a stage to get a diploma. One of my siblings received a State Issued Diploma. The others completed GEDs. I am happy for them as well because it means a lot when you get a completion certificate. It means a lot to me to do everything that I can do to make my mother proud of me. Finishing my degree at the age of 62 and studying with classmates young enough to be my grandchildren is a great accomplishment to me, especially when I study just as hard as they do. On top of all that I’m visually impaired. That doesn’t stop me! It means that I must work a little harder to maintain my GPA of 4.0. It’s dropped but never below a 3.2. I am now a senior and my journey has been amazing.

What was it like being a first generation college student? What barriers did you face and how did you overcome them?

My main barrier is my disability.  It has been a struggle, but I wanted to prove it to myself that I can conquer it. I can say that the biggest support has been my 80-year-old mother. She is my Shero. She has shown me that nothing is to hard for God who have strengthened me to endure whatever got in my path of success and completion. I have dealt with instructors that said you need to think about changing your major because you need to be able to see better. I will never let the naysayers’ words control my decisions or actions which are stronger than their words.

What kind of support did you receive from friends and family? What can GS do better in support of first Generation Students?

Georgia Southern should continue to support programs like TRIO. So much is focused on the sports, the nursing program, the Education program, and other science program that they offer. First generation students are in those programs and the university should recognize those students that struggle just as hard if not more. First generation students deal with more obstacles because most of us are the first or only in our families to graduate from public school and college. Georgia Southern should focus on our struggles. I think sensitivity training for faculty dealing with first generation students that have taken the initiative to do better than what they have lived would be great. We are proud to attend post-secondary institutions. For the most part no one in our families have ever done this. We truly need the support and programs like TRIO need it also.

Give encouraging words to first Generation staff and students who haven’t realized their academic dreams.

What I can say to support those that walk the same path that I am walking is keep your head up. Never give up on what seems impossible. Always know that you are not alone. When you feel that you can not take another step or when you think that no one understands what you are going through remember that you have a strong university family behind you to help you along or through whatever you think is too difficult to accomplish. There have been many of times that I thought that I was alone and somebody I talked to in the TRIO lounge or in my class was going through the same struggle! Find folks in TRIO like Mrs. Jones, Ms. Willingham, Mrs. Schrantz, or even Mrs. Simmons.

I would like to share with you the poem that help me get through trying times:

When things go wrong,
as they sometimes will.
When the road you're trudging
seems all uphill.
When the funds are low,
and the debts are high.
And you want to smile 
but you have to sigh...
When care is pressing you down a bit,
rest if you must, but 
don't you quite.
– Author Anonymous

Last updated: 2/10/2022