From Flunking out to Finishing Strong - One First-Gen Student’s Comeback Story

"I flamed out of college. Lost my scholarship. Worked in a warehouse. Then… I came back, graduated with honors, and earned my master’s.”

In this Transfer Basics Series episode of TecoGuide, Josh Kahn shares his real and relatable journey, from academic failure to professional success. His experience underscores the importance of equitable access, second chances through community college, and building lifelong academic habits.

As a student, Josh excelled at test-taking and memorizing lectures, but he admits he was “just getting by on natural ability.” That strategy, like many others built on short-term wins, eventually fell apart.

He entered Arizona State University on a prestigious scholarship that covered tuition, housing, and food. But the newfound freedom of college life, combined with a lack of structured habits, quickly led him astray.

Josh became more invested in parties and socializing than lectures and assignments. He jokes that he got good at drinking, not beer pong, nor his coursework. Within a year and a half, his scholarship was gone, his grades were failing, and he withdrew from school entirely.

For over two years, Josh worked in a warehouse and continued living the college lifestyle without the college. Meanwhile, his friends graduated and moved on. He was left facing the consequences of lost time and opportunity.

That realization prompted him to re-enroll, this time through community college courses in Phoenix. With renewed purpose and clearer goals, he transitioned back into university and completed his degree with honors in just 18 months.

Now, as Ops Lead at TecoGuide, Josh helps students avoid the same pitfalls and take full advantage of tools designed to support first-gen, transfer-bound learners.

Josh Kahn’s story is not just one of personal redemption, it’s a blueprint for others navigating the challenges of college and career planning. Whether you're starting at a community college, recovering from academic setbacks, or just trying to figure out what comes next, your path doesn’t need to be perfect to be powerful.

With tools like #TecoGuide, a supportive community, and strong academic habits, you can move forward with confidence. Education should never be a maze only a few can solve. It should be a journey guided by clarity, support, and possibility.

#TecoGuide, the only app designed to help you navigate your college and career journey in the quickest and most affordable way. Brought to you by #EdTechQuity, we are committed to opening doors to higher education and career opportunities for all.

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