The Pehli Peedi Fellowship presents the first in a series of stories highlighting the experiences of first-generation students across India.
Huma Asad Dar is a first-generation college student currently pursuing her BBA. Growing up in a family with limited educational exposure, she navigated her academic journey largely without guidance. Her story reflects the quiet resilience of learning through experience rather than direction. Despite uncertainties and delayed clarity, she continues to move forward with determination and evolving aspirations.
“I just started understanding my path a little late… not wrong.”
Read her full story below. Profile by Mir Kouser Gulzar.
Q. Tell us about yourself and your family. What kind of environment did you grow up in?
I am currently pursuing my BBA, and I am the only one in my family who has gone to college. I come from a family of four siblings, and I am the third. My elder brother and sister got married early and studied only up to class 10, while my younger brother is still in class 12. My father passed away, so I grew up mostly with my mother, who is illiterate. Even today, she cannot guide us in our studies, but she has always supported us in her own way.
Q. Where did you study, and how was your schooling experience?
I studied in a private school until class 10, after which I shifted to a government school. Later, I joined a government college. My classes had around 30 to 40 students, both boys and girls. Education was present, but not in a guided way. We studied, but no one really told us what to do next or how to think about our future.
Q. Did you always plan to continue your education?
Not really. I didn’t have a clear plan. After class 10, when I entered class 11, I didn’t even properly understand the different streams. Some of my friends said they were choosing commerce, so I also took commerce. At that time, I didn’t know what it actually meant. It was only after one or two years that I began to understand that it involves business, accounts, and related subjects.
Q. Did that uncertainty affect you?
Yes. When you don’t know what you are doing, you just keep moving without direction. You study, but in the beginning, you don’t feel connected to it.
Q. What challenges did you face during your journey?
The biggest challenge was a lack of exposure. We didn’t have guidance—we didn’t know what options existed, what to choose, or how to prepare for anything. Even if we had the financial means to study, we lacked clarity, and that makes a big difference.
Q. Did caste or social identity ever affect your experience?
My caste is Dar. I never personally faced discrimination in school or college. However, I remember one incident from my childhood when a friend told me that I belonged to a “lower caste” and that people like us are considered less in society. At that time, I didn’t fully understand it, but I still remember it. After that, I didn’t face anything directly, but some things stay with you.
Q. Did you receive any scholarships or external support during your studies?
No, I didn’t receive any scholarship or fellowship. My education was managed entirely by my family.
Q. How has your journey affected your family?
I think it has slowly brought change. I try to guide my younger brother, but sometimes I feel I cannot guide him properly because I myself learned many things quite late.
(She pauses)
Sometimes, when you don’t receive guidance at the right time, you realize things later—but by then, that precious time is already gone.
Q. What are your aspirations now?
Now, I want to continue my studies further. I want to pursue a PhD. Earlier, I didn’t even know what that meant. But now, after coming this far, I feel like I should not stop here.
Q. How do you see your journey as a first-generation learner?
For me, it is not about being “first.” It is about understanding things gradually. I didn’t have a roadmap. I didn’t know what I was stepping into. But I kept moving, and with time, things started making sense.
Q. If you had known earlier what you know now, what would have been different?
Maybe I would have moved forward with more clarity. But even now, I feel it is not too late.
I just started understanding my path a little late… not wrong.
This is an ongoing series of profiles documenting the experiences of young people across India. Stay tuned for more stories from first-generation students across India. Follow us on social media for more updates.