first generation of students

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "first generation of students" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to students who are the first in their families to attend college or university. Example: "The university has a special program to support the first generation of students in their academic journey."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"This is the first generation of students after the residential school era.

The New York Times

It was when the university was still becoming universal, when polys were beginning to become universities, and lecturers had beards, safari jackets and challenging mores, all a most exciting novelty and indulgent luxury for a first generation of students, whose children would come to view the experience as commonplace.

The Guardian - Books

Regardless of how you label it, I was among the first generation of students to receive elementary level instruction in personal computers.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

We have already planted half a million trees, while our school has graduated its first generations of students.

The Guardian - Arts

In a neighborhood where many young people tragically end up in jail or dead, the first generation of Holistic Life Foundation students are now graduating from universities like Emory, and returning to mentor the younger students.

Huffington Post

It is a key taster of the level of opposition faced by the first generation of female students at Cambridge University, whose fight to win the right to graduate is fascinatingly depicted here through the experiences of a group of students at Girton College in 1896.

The Guardian

Born in 1850, she was one of the first generation of female students at Cambridge.

The Economist

We've got the first generation of college students who have had the opportunity to grow up with computers, and there's a marked change.

The New York Times - Tech

Then in 1999 or so came the first generation of higher education students who'd already used the net at home.

The Guardian - Tech

"This is the first generation of high school students where a majority of their parents have smoked marijuana," said Ethan Nadelmann, the executive director of the Drug Policy Alliance, which has been pushing for passage of the initiative.

The New York Times

The first generation of online learning allowed students to vary rate, time and location.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "first generation of students" in contexts where you want to emphasize the unique challenges and opportunities faced by students who are the first in their families to pursue higher education.

Common error

Be careful not to assume all readers understand the term "first generation of students". Provide context or a brief explanation to avoid confusion, especially when writing for a general audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "first generation of students" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often used as a subject or object in a sentence. It identifies a specific group of students based on their family's educational history. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "first generation of students" is a grammatically sound and frequently used term to describe students who are the first in their families to attend college or university. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability. While the phrase itself is neutral, it's crucial to provide context and avoid ambiguity when using it. Related terms include "first-time college attendees" and "pioneering students in higher education". Usage is common in news and media as well as in scientific contexts. Awareness of the unique challenges faced by these students is essential when discussing educational equity and access.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

first-generation college students

A hyphenated version of the original phrase, commonly used.

first-time college attendees

Focuses on the novelty of attending college for the first time in the family.

initial college attendees in the family

Focuses on the fact that they are the first to attend college within their family.

pioneering students in higher education

Emphasizes the groundbreaking nature of being the first in their family to pursue higher education.

trailblazing university entrants

Emphasizes the pioneering role of these students entering university.

students from a non-college background

Highlights the absence of a college-educated background in the student's family.

first learners in higher education

Broadens the scope to focus on learning at a higher education level.

students without family history of college

Directly states the lack of family history related to college education.

new-to-college family students

Highlights the newness of the college experience for both student and family.

first-in-family college goers

Informal and emphasizes the act of "going" to college.

FAQs

What does "first generation of students" mean?

The phrase "first generation of students" typically refers to students who are the first in their families to attend college or university.

What are some common challenges for the "first generation of students"?

Common challenges include navigating the college system without family support, financial difficulties, and a lack of understanding of academic expectations. Colleges often provide resources to support these students.

Which is the correct way to write it: "first generation students" or "first-generation students"?

Both "first generation students" and "first-generation students" are acceptable, but "first-generation students" is more common, especially when used as an adjective. Hyphenation makes it clear that the words function as a single modifier.

What can I say instead of "first generation of students"?

You can use alternatives like "first-time college attendees", "pioneering students in higher education", or "students from a non-college background depending on the context".