Applying to college, finding a major and registering for classes can be daunting for those who have never done it before and especially if no one in their family has gone to college. McNeese first-generation student, Evan Veillon, wanted to go to college, but he and his parents were intimidated by the process.
“My parents always pushed me to go to college because they did not,” Veillon explained. “They worked countless hours and multiple jobs to set up a lifestyle and encourage a college education.”
Veillon, a construction management major from Ville Platte, attended a private high school that his parents felt offered him the best opportunity to attend college. He says he did not work as hard as he should have, but earned TOPS and a scholarship offer from McNeese.
Once he made his decision to attend McNeese, he and his parents wondered what came next. Evan’s parents enlisted the help of friends who had college experience and Evan leaned on the mom of one of his friends.
“It was such a humbling experience that only made college that much scarier,” he said.
Some first-generation students find taking the first steps to attend college challenging. Things like figuring out the financial aid, understanding the application process, following the registration system and navigating campus housing are not easy, but are that much harder without a parent who has experience.
“Everything—I cannot stress that enough—was intimidating,” Veillon said. “The beginning was the scariest part. Not knowing how to find the major I wanted or what McNeese even offered. What classes do I take? How do I sign up? Am I even prepared? How much will it cost? How do I know if I am doing this right?”
Veillon persevered. He explained that McNeese provided information to him, but he had to learn how to use it.
“I met people on campus who helped me in the process,” he said. “People I met in the organizations that I joined and my fraternity. Those men helped me in every struggle I had at McNeese. Whether it was school, work, registration, events or opportunities.”
Student Central at McNeese is a place where all students can ask questions about financial aid and scholarships. Also, in Student Central, first-year students are assigned advisers to help students choose and register for classes.
Veillon recommends that new students talk to everyone they meet on campus because even a casual conversation can help answer a question or offer motivation. It’s especially important for students to visit their professors.
He is now preparing for graduation and looking for a job in construction with hopes to become a project manager.
“We’ll see what life and God has to offer,” he said. “And I’ve always had an itch to be an entrepreneur, so we will see where that leads.”
Veillon chose McNeese because of the scholarship offers, but he found a home. As a high school student, he wanted to go to another school, but McNeese seemed to be the better choice.
“Looking back, I am so glad that I made this decision and would not trade it for anything different.
