5 Reasons to Consider Going
to Your Community College

college planning articles and tips

My first year in college was spent about 1,200 miles away from home.  Home was the Midwest; my college was in Florida.  Being 18 years old, Florida, living on your own for the first time, and having a nice chunk of change saved up for spending money, spells a recipe for disaster.  It came as no surprise when I ended up at my local community college the following year.  Sure, it wasn’t easy swallowing my pride, but the decision was one of the best of my life.  Here’s why you should consider attending your local community college.

1) Pressure Free

Too often, teenagers go away to school and think they know exactly what they want to major in and what they want to do with the rest of their lives.  This is a gross miscalculation.  The great majority of youths choose majors based on appeasing others and/or fear of appearing rudderless.  In fact, these are the best years to dabble in a variety of subjects and explore your academic interests.  Community colleges give you this opportunity to find your interests and fulfill your undergrad requirements without the pressure of completing a carefully structured academic regimen that you may not be convinced of.

2) Less Financial Burden

Parents and young adults alike are aware of the tremendous financial burdens that face college students today.  College graduates are leaving college with enormous amounts of student loan debt that acts as an anchor around their neck for years.  From 1985 to 2011, college tuition costs have skyrocketed, going up by nearly 500%.  Some economists predict that state college tuition costs will soar to $120,000 by 2015.  How many families can afford this?  Not many, as seen by the influx of enrollment at community colleges.  Attending a community college is frequently a fraction of the cost of a four year university.  Also keep in mind that you will also still be living at home with your parents, which will save money as well.   

3) Better Job/Internship Opportunities

Many universities are in college towns, that are sleepy, rural areas when school isn’t in session.  These places are frequently not the bustling hubs of commerce and industry.  Depending on where you live, you might be better off staying at home, attending your community college and using your extra time to build relationships with employers and businesses in your community.

While mostly everyone your age is away at school, you will be steps ahead of the game and face much less competition for internship and job opportunities.  Unfortunately, young graduates face an atrocious job market nowadays, so the ability to make inroads with employers and companies is placed at a premium.  Get off the social media and nurture your local social network in real life: volunteer, intern, know your parents’ places of employment, visit your local Chamber of Commerce, etc.

4) No Dorms

There’s no doubt that living in a college dorm for a year or two is a unique and special experience.  However, if you objectively look at the costs and benefits of dorm life, you might find that passing on the experience won’t leave you with a gap in your life. 

Dorms aren’t always the newest, cleanest and most comfortable accommodations.  You won’t have to compete with everyone else on your floor with dorm room ideas, to see who can design the coolest room.  You most likely won’t fall victim to poor eating habits and unhealthy food choices, thus avoiding the infamous “freshman 15.”  Moreover, you will never have to have a close encounter with a dorm bathroom on the weekend, when they are frequently not cleaned between Friday and Monday.  That sometimes is an experience many would rather forget.

5) Focus on Academics

Students go to college to learn right?  Well that may not be so true anymore.  Let’s be honest; many students don’t even belong in college, because all they are there for is to party.  How often do you hear about the top ten list of collegiate party schools as opposed to the list of top ten academic schools?  That says it all. 

With willpower, maturity and discipline, students can master their college life away from home.  But for many, temptation lies waiting around every corner: drinking, drugs and casual sex.  Sure staying at home won’t get you the awesome party life, but if you’re going to college to do that, that’s the most expensive party you’ll ever pay for, and surely live to regret.  Staying at home and going to your local community college keeps you on the straight and narrow and maintains your focus on the most important thing- academics.

College Planning Tools