Navigating Disrupted Pathways: First-Generation College Students, COVID-19, and the Power of Belonging

The COVID-19 pandemic reshaped the transition to college during a critical period of educational and identity development. This phenomenological study explores the lived experiences of ten first-generation women from rural, low-income backgrounds in the high school class of 2020 as they navigated the loss of traditional milestones and the challenges of beginning college in a virtual environment. The study identifies three core themes: Disrupted Rites of Passage, Fragmented Connections, and Resilience Through Self-Reliance. Together, these themes highlight the interplay between systemic inequities, personal agency, belonging, and institutional responsiveness in shaping successful college transitions.