It was the Halloween celebration at my junior college. It was the perfect night for s'mores and a fire pit. There was a haunted tour, which was frightfully cold, but we all warmed back up with hot chocolate while waiting for the hayrack ride. On the hayrack ride, we all laughed and joked while hearing scary stories. Out of all the memories that I made there, this one I will remember forever. Because we were all so happy and in the moment of everything!
I attended a JUCO for one year, but I wish that I would’ve stayed for the full two and got my associate’s degree because more friends and memories could’ve been made. But I’ll be forever thankful for the ones that I had the opportunity to make. Plus it was the cheapest way to get prerequisites out of the way.
There was always something going on, activities, sporting events and even socials. So it was more than just school. Junior colleges make sure you have every chance to be involved. They are always offering new and exciting things for students.
Going to a junior college was definitely not my first idea. My first thought was to dive in head first and go to a university. And boy, am I sure glad that I didn’t. Instead I went to a community college about an hour from my hometown and made some of the best memories and friends of my life.
I was able to find out who I really was without thinking of what everyone else at my high school would think. It was my first chance at being me. I moved into a five person apartment-style dorm with some girls that I knew beforehand. They were the best friends I could’ve asked for. Two years later, we all moved to different colleges, but we still tag each other in Shrek memes.
At a JUCO, you learn not to care about silly things you used to care about. But you also make tons of friends who don’t care with you. I wasn’t best friends with everyone but I also felt like I was friends with most people there. We still throw out “Cloud Proud” captions on our Instagram accounts because we really are proud of our junior college.
College can be a big step for any incoming freshman, but junior colleges help you every step of the way. There is always someone or something to help you. I do not want to say that it is easy, but it does ease you into the college life instead of just throwing you in. Teachers are always there to help you and even be a friend, too.
If you are intimidated by college because it is a new place with new people in a whole new town, don’t worry. You will make friends and you will have fun, no matter what! But a junior college is a great place to start!
