In high school, when the subject of college came up, I was always the first one to say, "I'm getting out of here and going to a university!" In my mind, there was no other option for me. Unfortunately, my parents had other plans. They were set on sending me to community college because they wanted to be sure that I would be serious about school work, grow up a little bit, and save me from early crippling debt that comes with going four years at a university.
The slightest mention of community college made me feel less than everyone else. The majority of my friends were about to be off to major universities in the SEC and here I was, stuck, barely 30 minutes from home. Then something kind of amazing happened. I started talking to one of my old friends from high school who graduated a year before I did. He had every intention of going to a university just like me, yet he ended up going to community college. He gave me some advice and told me that it was the best choice he had ever made.
He encouraged me to embrace my situation and audition for a scholarship through the college's Fine Arts program. So I did. I mustered up all of my courage and I auditioned! Low and behold, I got the scholarship, and made myself an honorary member of my college's theater program.
I branched out and tried something different and ended up falling in love with my new home.
I became involved in my college and that made all the difference. I spent two wonderful years there, got all of my major classes out of the way, and it was all free of charge!
Because I went to community college, I was able to grow up. People sometimes have a hard time transitioning from high school to university. They don't know their place, they don't have their lives figured out. College in general seems to knock you off of your knees a little bit. It is a whirlwind of different cultures, people and definitely a heftier work load.
I was able to become stronger and more independent.
1. Don't be afraid to try new things.
2. Think of how much money you are saving by doing this!
3. You're able to get one-on-one time with your teachers instead of sitting in a classroom of 600 people.
4. And finally,
I would not change my college experience thus far for the world.
