First Knights, a newly Registered Student Organization, gives first-generation students the opportunity to socialize with other first-generation students and also become acclimated with the UCF campus. The organization will be holding on- and off-campus events aimed to bring together as many students as possible while also serving as another outlet where these students can ask questions they may not be comfortable asking in other situations.<\/p>\n
David Oglethorpe, coordinator for First Year Advising and Exploration, initiated the concept of the First Knights organization in an effort to help first-generation students. Oglethorpe along with FYAE coordinator Dillon Burleson and graduate assistant Becky Easter serve as advisors to First Knights.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe biggest challenge for the first-generation students lie within not knowing what to expect or what to ask,\u201d stated Oglethorpe. \u201cStudents who have parents who have completed college degrees are able to rely on them to guide them through the expectations of college, but first-generation students have to go elsewhere to find this information. It can be very difficult to let someone know that you don\u2019t understand something that is perceived by many to be general knowledge.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFirst Knights is not an academic resource but serves more of a social resource for students,\u201d said Oglethorpe. He said one resource, the Office of Student Involvement\u2019s Knights of the Round Table-a student advisory council, has a great service for students called Knight Quest. \u201cBy completing a quick interview, students are given a list of clubs, organizations and campus activities that match their hobbies and interests.\u201d<\/p>\n