Choosing what you want to go to college for can be scary, but choosing where you want to go to college can be just as scary. You are going to be paying to go there, you want it to be a place you enjoy. There are all different types of schools you can go to after you graduate from high school, religious colleges, out of state colleges, private colleges, state colleges, tech schools, community colleges, and the list can go on. For me, always knew I wanted to go to a university, but I decided to go to community college before hand.

Here are 7 reasons why I am happy I chose community college before a University:

1. It Saves MONEY!

Going away seems great. New place, new people, no parents, but wait until you see the bill. Going to a community college before heading off to a university can save you thousands of dollars!

2. Friends from High School

When I started at my community college a realized just how many people from my high school were also going! It made the transition so much easier! I was able to go to a new place, while still having some familiar people around to calm my nerves. I even made friends with people from high school I never talked to while in school and I consider them some of my closest friends.

3. New Friends Close to Home

I didn't just talk to people from my high school though, I also got to branch out. I quickly made a group of friends with people I didn't even know lived near me! I looked forward to going to college early each day to hang out with my new friends before classes started. My friends I made at my community college were some of the best people I ever met, and the best part is they all live less than 20 minutes from my family!

4. Sleeping in My Own Bed

Going away to a university is amazing, I love my college, but when I was at the community college it was nice to be able to sleep in my own bed after a long day. Beds in the dorms or apartments while away at college just are not the same as the comfort of your own bed after hours of homework and studying.

5. Pets!

One of the hardest things for me when packing up to head back to college is having to say goodbye to my cat. At a university for your first year you have to live on campus and that means, no pets. Even after you are able to move off campus you may not be allowed to bring your pets. By staying at home and going to community college I got some extra quality time with my kitty.

6. Parents

I know this may sounds like a negative thing to college freshman, but trust me it isn't. Going away to college and getting away from home seems awesome, and it can be. For the first few months everything is great, until you need paper work done, you get sick, or you get in a fight with your roommate. Sometimes you really just need your parents and living 4 hours away from them can be hard when you are going through something. Having them close for your first year or two of college can be awesome! Trust me when I say it, there will be a point in time while in college where you realize you just need your mom or dad.

7. Church Family

I know this will not apply to everyone, but it was huge for me! I love my church family and it was nice to spend a few semesters at home and being able to see them for a little bit longer. While I love my church at my current college, nothing beats the church you grew up in.

I love SUNY Cortland. I love the people I have met here. I love my major. I even love the town. But I will never regret my decision to put it off for a year and a half to go to my community college. I met some really amazing people there and it is where I decided what I wanted to do with my life. If you think going to a university sounds scary or you just don't know what you want to do, try out a community college first, it might just surprise you.