There’s always been a subtle taboo breeze of disappointment I’ve received from adults after telling them that I am going to pursue community college next year. Those are the people I plan to prove wrong in five years. Fortunately, I had the decision to choose between attending a university or continue a more simple education. I studied each of my cards before playing them.

Life in a university would be full-time entertainment. Not only would I be in a new environment away from the comfort of home, but also I would be surrounded by an endless amount of opportunity to make new friends. Sharing a dorm with a stranger who could end up becoming another soul sister by the end of the year, participating in a sorority... I’ve always been a lover of girly things and volunteer work, or the infinite amount of college partying I could partake in were just a few factors I juggled with while deciding. The chance of being a university alumni, earning a scholarly high-speed education, and building open doors for a future career are the factors other people believe I am going to miss out on for declining my acceptance to a university.

I had to tap into the type of person I am to be confident in my decision. My only sibling is eight years older than me, so my teen years were spent almost like an only child. I’ve come to enjoy the silence and peace with being alone. I figured out having a space to myself is necessary to keep the relationship between me and whomever I end up rooming with pleasant. I’ve been to summer camp multiple times as a kid, so I'm already aware of what fun and baggage comes with a room full of girls. I need either a house to stay in with rooms or some extra luck to score another scholarship to pay for a single dorm.

I realized that endless partying isn’t something I wanted to look forward to. I want to exceed in college, be studious, and hopefully make the dean's list. I didn’t do too shabby in high school, but as I chose to party more over giving that attention to assignments and projects I noticed a decline in my academics. It could have been worse, but yes I am that stubborn studious wannabe and getting a B or C is a big deal to me. I had to accept that I tend to choose fun over seriousness. University studies are more of a workload and more difficult than in high school; I didn’t want to face receiving Ds or Fs in a class I was paying right out of pocket for.

I’m not giving up my chance of ever being a part of a sorority because I chose community college. There’s always next year. That is the benefit of community: there is room to change my mind. Which is critical for me, whether it’s boyfriends, fashion trends, or beliefs. I have always been known to change my first idea to the complete opposite. I can move from place to place after each quarter without feeling guilty that I left behind an expensive mistake.

Community college will allow me to expose who I really am and make her flourish while still getting an education. I can pick up a job at a place I really enjoy working for, give my attention to my favorite hobbies, and spend quality time with friends and family because I won’t be forced to move away from them. I also feel better about myself knowing I’m able to save more money with community schooling rather than at a fancy university.

When I’m asked the question seniors know all too well, “What are you doing next year?” I can confidently say that I am choosing happiness this year. I’ve vetoed boarding the bandwagon. I’ll be spending my year making money the way I want to and pursue a job that will enhance my skills I hold now, tapping into a new freedom of being able to change my mind, and following what I love to do.