Yulu Hou
Time is rarely recognized as an equity issue in higher education, yet it profoundly shapes who is able to persist and thrive. This conceptual article examines temporal inequity—the unequal structuring and valuing of time within academic systems—and its impact on first-generation college students (FGCS). Drawing on scholarship on temporality in higher education, it highlights how standardized degree pathways and dominant temporal norms disadvantage FGCS and sustain deficit narratives about “poor time management.” Using a temporal justice lens, the article proposes policy and practice changes to recognize diverse temporal rhythms and address inequities in time resources.