Whether I’m a student at a large university or a junior community college, I am a student nonetheless. Unfortunately, there’s a gaping stigma about community college. According to multiple acquaintances in my circle of extended family and work friends, community college is “high school all over again” and “a good place to start if my ACT score wasn’t so great.” This stigma needs to obliterate, because if most fitting, community college is the path to take for these very reasons.
1. It is not high school all over again.
Although many students transitioned from my high school graduating class to the same community college, that does not make it similar to high school...at all. It’s still an extensive campus where it takes at least 10 minutes to get from one building to the next. There is no toleration for an assignment that’s only an hour late. Just because many of my peers from high school go there, doesn’t mean I get to see them as frequently as I would have in high school. Community college is not like high school, it is much more difficult, as is a four-year-university. Please refrain from coining the terms “highs school” and “community college” together in the same sentence, unless they are being contrasted.
2. My bed is my bed.
No firm mattresses and cramped bunk beds. I get to sprawl out on my mattress dressed with six of my favorite blankets each sunrise and sunset. No worries of bed bugs or finding someone drunk on my mattress from a crazy night. I’m okay with coming home to this each day for naps and cuddles with my homely stuffed animals.
3. Money, money, money!
It’s no surprise that college costs a hefty penny. Most universities’ average tuition rate is anywhere from 20,000-70,000 dollars. Community college is around 1,500 each semester (or 3,000 dollars each year) including books! Although most times our parents are the ones paying for our education and we don’t really care about tuition costs at this point, the substantial savings will definitely benefit all students long term when it’s time to transfer to a university.
4. Work work work work work work.
Tying in with the money argument, I’m also able to maintain my part-time job. Consequently, I have limited time to study extensively and I often walk out of school defeated most days because I have to rush to work, however it’s very beneficial to work as you’re in school. This is a much more tasking challenge if you’re away at a university. Most students don’t feel the need or are unable to work a job while they are away!
5. No community bathrooms.
I am most thankful for my right to pee in peace. For my right to pee in a well sanitized bathroom only used by my immediate family members. For my right to pee and use TWO-PLY toilet paper. Showering is not a big deal either, since it’s my own. No creepy crawly foreign bacteria and germs from students I’ve never even met. It’s not necessary to wear flip flops each time I bathe myself. Having my own bathroom to use at home that is clean and smells like an autumn plug-in is a blessing.
6. Bonds are made with other students who are also receiving backlash on attending community college.
I share a common bond with each friend I’ve made during this semester thus far. When announcing our enrollment to non-community college students/parents, we’ve generally received all the same responses. “That’s a great place to start… Where are you going to transfer to… That’ll be a good adjustment period since the classes will be easier… That’ll be cool to see your friends everyday… You get to live at home, that’s really living the life!” And of course my least favorite, “You’ll get there.” Community colleges have such a negative connotation. An older work friend literally said to me, “Oh God, that’s high school all over again. I’m sorry kid, you’ll get there.” I can guarantee this would not be a response if I had mentioned that I was attending the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. If community college was a high school, it would be named _____ High School, not _____ Community College. Also, I’m not going to “get there” because I am already here. I will be transferring after two years of studying at my JCC, but it’s not like what I’m currently studying is irrelevant to my future success. I am already here and on the road, even if I’m not at a Big-10. I am not sorry about it.
7. The class sizes are reachable.
With attending a junior community college, I am almost 100 percent guaranteed a relatively small class of students, no matter the subject. By having a less dense population in the class and a comfortable classroom setting (non-lecture style,) the professor becomes much more reachable. In each class, I don’t even have to sit in the front row and I’m still able to engage in class discussions and ask my professor for help during and following class.
8. The motivation to do well is riveting.
Consequently to the stigma, many community college students can’t wait to get out of there. I’ve had to watch the majority of my friends pack up, leave, and enjoy university life while I’m stuck at home working and commuting to school each day. For a while I was extremely depressed about this, because although the education is generally the same, community college life contrasts heavily with university life, and this is noticed especially in the beginning. It’s amazing to see how my grades have changed since high school and how motivated I’ve become to succeed and thrive in a school setting. If I achieve outstanding grades and don’t have to retake any classes, the more universities I will be accepted into as a transfer, and the sooner I will be able to do so.
9. Free meals and free laundry are included.
This may seem tedious, but meal cards and trips to the laundromat can be annoying and expensive! By being a student at a community college, I’m able to brag about home cooked meals and free laundry (sometimes if I’m lucky, even done by mom!)
10. Nostalgia.
While growing older and into the college setting, it’s natural to wish to be younger once again. I’m obsessed with the idea of childhood memories and repeat scenarios in my head frequently. Right now, I get to live in the home that I grew up in and learned to love, despite all the hardships it has faced. By imagining the culture shock of living far away from what I’ve always known gives me immense anxiety and panic washes over me. I’m so grateful to attend an institution where I can remain within the comforts of home and save emotional distress while doing it.
Community college isn’t for everybody, however if you’re bummed out about attending one as opposed to a university, I’m telling you not to be. Even if you decided to read this because your friends attend a community college and you’re always ripping on them because you go to a university. Take it from me, it’s not too bad. In fact, it’s much better than bad. It’s fantastic, really. Get rid of the stigma, community college is a blessing.
