Getting schooled

When working-class students enter college, they, by definition, are no longer technically working class. Yet, because of their working-class background, they typically do not feel as though they “belong” in a college setting, particularly if they are the first in their families to attend college. Because of this mismatch between identities, working-class students can experience specific psychological and physical demands that may isolate them from their peers. This chapter will review the current psychological literature on working-class college students and explore how classism and working-class culture impact the college experience – specifically, how classist stereotypes influence a sense of belonging, health, and academic performance. Additionally, this chapter will explore prejudice reduction techniques for making higher education more inclusive to working-class students.