Exciting at one moment and nauseating at another, starting college can be an emotional roller coaster for many students.

The combination of unknown surroundings and new faces is intimidating to many but can be especially daunting to students who are the first in their families to attend college. However, University College freshman Elezar Velazquez has embraced the opportunity.

During the first week of classes, Velazquez made connections with many leaders on campus, knowing that he can rely on them for help him in any situation.

Velazquez, a first-generation college student, said he is proud to show his family that he will succeed in college.

“I can’t believe I’m here and I made it,” Velazquez said. “I made the choice to pursue education to better my life.”

In six years, he said he hopes to be an architect and be able to serve as a role model for his brothers and sisters.

“I want to tell my family I did it,” Velazquez said. “Being the first in my family to go to college is such a big deal.”

Velazquez said he plans to get through college by using campus resources like Project Threshold.

Project Threshold is a federally funded Trio program under the U.S. Department of Education, said Deborah Binkley-Jackson, Project Threshold director.

“Project Threshold allows students to gain the relationships and motivation they need to get through school,” Binkley-Jackson said.

The grant provides the program with the means to support 300 OU students. She said the program offers free tutoring, academic advisers who stick with students as they progress and other supplemental services.

“It is structured to provide support to students to persist in college and graduate,” Binkley-Jackson said.

Project Threshold also provides further counseling, in addition to the academic adviser students receive through their major, Binkley-Jackson said.

“I am able to talk with the counselors about more than school,” human relations senior Deangelo Colbert said. “I can talk to them about personal stuff and get it off my chest.”

Students see Project Threshold as an opportunity to meet others going through similar situations. Velazquez said he plans on seeking support and guidance from upperclassmen and faculty.

Project Threshold has offered Colbert stability and structure during his time at the university.

“Project Threshold has helped me a lot because you meet a lot of people who can help you and I can talk with them to stay on top of things,” Colbert said.

All students need pointers to help them stay on track but Binkley-Jackson said Project Threshold offers a course during the first two weeks of school called ‘Strategies Before You Fail,’ which attempts to teach students necessary skills.

Colbert said he has learned students should be organized and use calendars.

“Get studying done ahead of time and work with study groups or a tutor if there is something you don’t understand,” Colbert said. “Make sure that you see improvement if you’re studying with others.”

Binkley-Jackson said that all first-generation students should confer with someone who has been to college. This could be a friends parent or someone in their community. She also said students should share their college successes with their parents.

“It is effective for retention for parents to understand how the students are doing at school,” Binkley-Jackson said.

She said one of the most important things she strives to teach first-generation students is how to balance school and work.

“Because of the culture of the economy, many students have been working part-time jobs and going to school for years,” Binkley-Jackson said. “We have to remind them that their courses are not conducive to working 35 hours a week.”

She said her staff teaches students how to use their financial aid and advises them on the number of hours they should work each week.

Although Project Threshold only supports 300 students who meet the criteria of first-generation, low-income or disabled, Binkley-Jackson said she is currently working with the graduation office to create a program that can offer assistance and guidance to all first-generation students, not just those in the program.

“We will be located right next to the graduation office in the Wagner Building, and that’s the part of the move I am most excited about,” Binkley-Jackson said. “If a student comes into our office but doesn’t qualify for Project Threshold, we can walk them over to the graduation office.”

For students who are the first in their family to attend college, most are not willing to let obstacles stand in their way.

“These people [at OU] will prepare you for the big world because college is here and it’s time to step up,” Velazquez said.