Let me just start off by saying that whether you go to a four-year university or just a community college for two years, that shouldn't matter.
In high school I was one of those students completely against the community college route. Every time my family even mentioned it I would end the conversation immediately. But, now that I've transferred schools and am attending a community college, I couldn't be happier with my decision. If you're a senior in the position that I was in, I know how hard it is to make a decision because this decision is the start of your entire future. Sometimes you just have to make your own decisions and learn from the outcome to know what's best for you. That's what my stubborn self had to do.
Through this year, I've learned that all that matters is you getting an education, graduating, and getting a job in your desired work field. It may have seemed like a big deal announcing in your senior year of high school where you were planning to attend college, but I promise that where you go to school won't matter years from now.
From the minute my parents dropped me off at college, I knew I didn’t like it at my college. I kept saying to myself that college is a hard transition for everyone, so I didn’t think much of it. As everyone told me, I just had to get used to college life while also getting involved in school activities to keep myself busy, and I’m sure for some people-- maybe even most people-- that works. College and dorm life is not for everyone, and it most certainly wasn't for me. I ended up being miserable more than I wasn't while living away from home. The experience of moving to college is at first so exciting-- you have a big smile on your face while you're decorating your college dorm the way you've been imagining it. However, reality sets in when it's time to say goodbye to your family and you're left with your new roommates who you've only had text conversations with back and forth the past few months. Don't get me wrong, there was some pretty amazing memories I created while being away at school, however, they do not match up to the amount of times I just wasn't happy there. The whole process can be nerve-wracking, trust me I know. I spent many nights having FaceTime dates with my mom and close friends crying and ranting about how much I just wanted to be home already.
You get by your first syllabus week and still think college is awesome! But that's only because you haven't really experienced the college workload and it has only been a week away from your family. It feels like a vacation away but it's going to be much longer than a week away from the people you love. Don't get me wrong, some people are practically running away from their family and absolutely love college life and all it has to offer. However, everyone is different; people enjoy their college choices for all kinds of reasons.
If you are one of those people who come to realize they just aren't truly happy at the college they are currently attending, don't be afraid to consider to transfer! It took me the majority of the year to wave the red flag of defeat and say it's time for me to improve my college experience by transferring. However, when transferring, make sure you cover all the bases and check to see if all your credits transfer over! For me my transfer choice was to move back home and attend community college. Here I am, at a different school and having a better attitude than before, while being a million times happier. Transferring was the best decision I could have made for myself, so if you're ever feeling like you don't fit in at a place you thought you were created for, it's okay. Sometimes it's the detours you need in order to make it to the end destination. In the end, it does not matter how you make it to your destination, but rather whether or not you stuck with it and succeed.
Sometimes that path we think is right for us is just a temporary detour with a lot of bumps in the road. Eventually, though, that detour will direct you out on the road to the rest of your life. When this happens, you will be so thankful for taking the hard way around, no matter how emotional and hard it was on some days. There are times when I think back on my decision and miss the few amazing friends I made, but I had to do what was best for me. Stand up tall and be proud of any decision you make regarding college and education!
