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Introducing Big Sibb - Your first-gen journey, supported by those who’ve been there.

Big Sibb is an app designed to empower first-generation college students by creating a supportive community where they can connect, get advice, and share resources. Whether it’s finding a mentor, joining a study group, or accessing second-hand textbooks, Big Sibb is here to help students navigate the unique challenges of being the first in their family to attend college.

Inspiration

First-generation college students often face unique challenges when navigating higher education. Without family members to provide guidance, many struggle with academic expectations, social integration, and finding a sense of belonging. We wanted to reimagine community for first-gen students, creating a space where they can connect, seek support, and uplift one another.

What It Does

Sibb is a personalized community hub designed specifically for first-gen students at their universities. It provides multiple ways to build connections, access mentorship, and find resources, including:

The Hub Page: A customized homepage where students engage with different channels to connect with peers and alumni.
Alumni Mentorship: First-gen alumni serve as “older siblings,” offering advice and guidance. A ring around their profile symbolizes their journey as the first in their family to graduate.
Community Forums & Channels: Spaces for students to ask questions, share experiences, and seek support from peers and alumni.
Direct Messaging: One-on-one conversations with other first-gen students and mentors.
Feed Page: A dynamic space where students and alumni can post, discuss, and share insights with the community.
Second-Hand Exchange (#SibbHandMeDowns): A marketplace for students to exchange textbooks, furniture, and other college essentials.
Events & Study Groups: A forum where students can organize or join study sessions, social outings, and networking opportunities.
Career Talks: Alumni-hosted events providing career guidance, insights, and mentorship.

How We Built It

This project was created during a 24-hour Designathon, pushing us to move quickly from user research to ideation, wireframing, and prototyping. We started by conducting a user survey with 12 first-gen students, which revealed key pain points:

80% lacked guidance on how to navigate college life.
Over 70% struggled to find a strong community and support system.
65% wanted mentorship from first-gen alumni who had experienced similar challenges.
Many faced financial barriers, making second-hand resources highly valuable.

Using these insights, we rapidly designed a platform that prioritizes mentorship, connection, and accessibility, ensuring first-gen students have the support they need.

Challenges We Ran Into

With only 24 hours to complete the project, time constraints were a major challenge. Many of us were not used to the fast-paced environment . Balancing research, design, and prototyping required constant collaboration and quick decision-making.

Accomplishments We're Proud Of

Despite the time limit, we successfully built a strong foundation for Sibb ,a platform that directly addresses the needs of first-gen students. We’re especially proud of:

Turning user research into actionable solutions in such a short time.
Designing a functional, user-friendly prototype under extreme time pressure.
Creating a meaningful and scalable concept that can grow beyond the Designathon.

What We Learned

This experience reinforced the importance of user-centered design ,every feature we built stemmed from real pain points and survey responses. We also learned how to prioritize features under time constraints and work effectively as a team in high-pressure situations.

What's Next for Big Sibb

With more time, we would love to expand the platform with additional features, including:

Mini-Games & Interactive Features: A user-suggested idea to help students bond through play while building friendships.
More Specialized Channels: Adding topic-based communities for career advice, mental health, and more.
Enhanced Alumni Engagement: Creating structured mentorship programs and networking opportunities.

Sibb isn’t just an app ,it’s a movement to empower first-gen students by building a strong, supportive community that helps them thrive together. 🚀