Typical #firstgen things - especially if you're the oldest and before the Internet

1. Instead of your parents helping you with college apps (especially essays; you know what it is), you're filling out and translating your parents tax forms and other government documents for them

2. You've never looked for an internship. Only jobs.

3. You have never asked your parents if they have any friends who have opportunities for you - they don't have those kinds of friends. You take whatever opportunity you can get yourself, esp. jobs.

4. You were forced to grow up fast because the house needs more adults and fewer kids.

5. You were responsible for your siblings education. And everything else.

6. Parents have no idea what you're doing. You have a ton of freedom. But it also means they have never shown up to any of your academic and life events (except marriage).

7. You're incredibly reliant on the public school system and the mentorship of teachers. It's a crapshoot. You might get lucky, or totally ignored.

8. You had to accept grey, when you wanted to see things in black and white.

9. Your peers are an invaluable resource. They might know things before you and can give you some tips. They also keep you competitive because they raise the bar.

10. There are some random older kids who made it before you. They are mythical and your parents bring them up all the time. You try to be like them without knowing how they succeeded. Just go to college.

11. Going to college was liberating not because you don't have to follow house rules anymore, but you don't have the 24/7 burden of worrying about the house.

12. You still worry about what's going on at home. The calls you get are usually issues you have to fix.

13. You never went on college tours. At most your parents showed up to help you move and on the day you graduate.

14. You always feel a sense of insecurity because you're deathly afraid of losing the goods you've gained.

15. Your friends and family are truly happy for you, and you are happy for them.