Let's face it. One of the biggest decisions you'll make as a young adult is deciding which college you go to. Whether it's a traditional four-year university from the start, or community college, this decision can shape some of the most important experiences of your young adulthood. Not to mention, it will certainly shape your future financial situation. Coming from a recent college grad who went the community college route first, here are five reasons why you should consider going to community college before attending a four-year school.
1. The friends you'll make.
I made some of my best friends during my two years of community college. Had I gone to a traditional four-year college, I may have never met these people that have become so important to me.
2. Money.
Seriously. Even though my student loans still make me want to cry when I think about them, it's not nearly as bad as some people I know who went a whole four years at a university. College is expensive, there's no getting out of it, but you can certainly relieve some of your debt by attending community college first.
3. You'll gain experience in life, and your career.
Going to community college first not only allowed me to meet some of my best friends and save money, but it also gave me great experience. I was able to start working at my current full-time job when I started at community. So this gave me a chance to establish myself with the company I work for, and gave me an advantage when it came to getting the available full-time position when it opened up.
4. It's a good bridge between high school and going away to college.
Whether your grades weren't too hot in high school and you're looking to improve your chances, or you're just not quite ready to move away from home, community college is a great way to bridge the gap between high school and the large, if not daunting, step of moving away to a four-year college.
5. You can be sure that you make the right choice in your four-year university.
Let's be honest. Your senior year of high school is spent under nearly constant pressure over what schools you apply to and which ones you actually get into. Community college is a great opportunity to really take the time, without pressure, to figure out where you really want to go, and what you actually want to do. So many college freshman enter school either undecided, or wind up changing their major after a couple of semesters anyway, so why not take the extra time to make sure that you're really in the major that you want to be in. And save some money in the process.
Though it may not be for everyone, if I could offer any advice to a high school senior in the midst of college applications and acceptances, I would certainly recommend going to community college first. I have never regretted my choice of doing my first two years of college at community and then transferring to a four-year college. At the end of the day, you don't miss out on much, and you end up saving yourself a lot of money. Plus, you still get a degree from an accredited four-year college whether or not you went there all four years or just transferred in. So if you're struggling to figure out where you want to go, what you want to do, or just stressing about money, there's no shame in in utilizing your local community college.
