First-generation college student Treydayne Jones navigates the responsibility of education, family sacrifice, and building a future his parents never had.
By: Edin Pelinkoviq
At home, the conversation around the dinner table often turns to school. Treydayne Jones listens as his parents ask about classes, assignments, and how the semester is going. For Jones, those conversations are reminders that his college journey means more than just earning a degree.
Jones is a first-generation college student whose parents immigrated to the United States from Jamaica. Their move created opportunities that did not exist for them growing up. Now, Jones is the first in his family to experience college firsthand.
Being first means learning the process alone at times. Applications, financial aid, and adjusting to academic expectations were unfamiliar territory. Jones had to figure out much of it through trial and error.
“Being the first in my family to go to college means a lot to me,” Jones said. “My parents came here so I could have opportunities they didn’t have.”
Jones says the journey has changed how he views school and responsibility. While some classmates see college as the next expected step, Jones often sees it as a rare chance that cannot be wasted. The pressure that comes with that perspective is something he carries daily.
Growing up, education was always encouraged in Jones’ household. His parents often spoke about the sacrifices they made when leaving their home country. Those stories shaped the way he understands opportunity.
College also introduced new challenges. Balancing assignments, deadlines, and independence required adjustment during his first year. Jones says learning how to manage everything at once was one of the biggest obstacles.
“Sometimes it feels like I’m carrying more than just my own goals,” Jones said. “It feels like I’m carrying the hopes of my whole family.”
Despite the pressure, Jones says the experience has helped him grow more independent. Navigating college without family members who previously went through the process forced him to develop discipline and resilience. Each semester became a step toward something larger.
Jones often studies late into the evening after classes end. Long hours reviewing notes or finishing assignments have become routine. Those quiet moments of work remind him why the effort matters.
Jones says being a first-generation college student often means learning things that many other students already understand. Simple parts of college life, like navigating course registration or understanding academic advising, were unfamiliar at first. Over time, Jones learned to ask questions, seek guidance, and figure things out step by step.
The adjustment also changed the way Jones approaches challenges. Instead of seeing obstacles as setbacks, he now views them as part of the process. Each semester has helped him gain confidence in his ability to succeed.
Jones also thinks about the example he is setting for younger family members. Being the first to attend college means showing that higher education is possible. That responsibility motivates him to keep pushing forward even when school becomes overwhelming.
The idea of graduation represents something deeply personal. For Jones, crossing the stage would symbolize more than earning a degree. It would represent the completion of a journey that began with his parents’ decision to move to a new country.
Jones hopes his path will make the process easier for others in his family. Being the first means setting an example for younger relatives who may follow the same path. The experience is not only about personal success.
“At the end of the day, I want my parents to see that everything they did to get here meant something,” Jones said. “Graduating would show them their sacrifices were worth it.”
