I was not a first-generation college student, but I made mistakes in college and learned a great deal about pitfalls that students might encounter, and what should be avoided in order to get the most out of the college opportunity. There are many things I wish I knew when I was a college student, and hopefully others can learn from and avoid my errors. I was ultimately able to overcome my setbacks, learned from my mistakes, and went on to medical school. I am now serving as a physician-scientist at the University of Iowa in the career I had always dreamed of having. While we may not have the exact same background, some struggles are universal, and I hope I can provide some guidance in those areas.