I am currently putting myself through college as a first-generation student. I did take out a few student loans to ease the burden given my packed schedule averaging around 17 credit hours a semester, but most of my finances come from scholarships and working as a server in a local sports bar. Most of my scholarships are need-based given my family's financial situation, but I also received merit-based scholarships from the university and some local awards using my GPA and ACT scores. I am currently working to finish my undergraduate in architecture, and post-graduation will stay for another two years to get the necessary graduate degree to become licensed. As part of becoming a college student, I did move over four hours from my hometown, away from all family and friends. Moving away can be scary, but it was a fresh start that allowed me to make new friends with interests more similar to mine, and create relationships I could not be more proud of. I still talk to all of my family and high school friends on a much healthier schedule and am looking to begin practicing architecture professionally in the near future.