Going to College? Take Something Fun!
After high school graduation, my friends did one of three things: went to college, worked, or started a family--I chose option two. I started my collegiate journey at community college. At the time, I was working full time for a gym shoe company as a store manager, earning a respectable wage, but had aspirations of one day becoming a high school teacher. I knew that this required a degree from a university, but at the time, I could not afford to quit my job. I was 19 living on my own, covering all my living expenses, and had very little money in the bank. As the first person in my family to attend college, there was so much I did not know about the process of going to college, but community college seemed like a more reasonable and affordable choice. I gathered my confidence, found something nice to wear, and walked into the building nervous, excited, but most of all hopeful for the future that was to come.
“Did you take the SAT or ACT exam,” asked one of the admission’s counselors? This was the LAST question I wanted to hear. Despite my intelligence, my SAT scores were average at best. I now understand that much of the language used on standardized achievement exams favors children that come from affluence, but at the time, I simply thought my grades were not good enough. Although I graduated from high school a year early and had experienced success in advanced coursework, something about the idea of attending college still scared me. I saw very few faces that looked friendly, in fact, most people looked much older and uninterested in holding a conversation. Was this what college would be like?
I asked the admissions counselor about life on campus (which I called a building at the time) and things I could do to get to know other students. She suggested I take something fun. This was the best advice I could have received. While taking classes that would allow me to one day transfer to the university where I eventually earned my teaching credentials, I took her advice and enrolled in a class that made my trip to the “building” more exciting. In this optional class--called an elective--I laughed, made friends, and genuinely enjoyed myself. Looking back, I’m convinced that this is one of the best decisions I made.
Community college can be a great way to take care of the first 2 years of college, get a jumpstart on university credits, pick up a trade or skill that meets a community need, or simply refresh your understanding of a subject. The faculty and staff are knowledgeable, committed to student success, and will help you make decisions that are in your best interest. The tutoring centers are phenomenal and will help close learning gaps that many students face in college. Most of all, at least from my story, community colleges can offer students a way to develop confidence in an environment that for me felt less intimidating than the 30,0000+ student university I eventually attended.
My last point cannot be overstated--TAKE SOMETHING FUN! For students who decide to attend community college who are laser-focused, have a solid plan, and are merely passing through to collect credits, you may be able to get by without this piece of advice. For those of you (probably most of you) who will or have stumbled upon the community college campus like I did, taking something that interests you will be a lifeline.
The community college environment can look and feel very different than the pictures of college life shown online. There are no football games, no residence halls, and fewer student activities. Find a class that hooks your interest. A class that makes you want to show up. A class that leaves you smiling and wanting more. This will make the long nights, the evening commutes, the dinners on the go, and the tiredness of grinding feel less daunting. Working full-time and taking classes can be tricky, but it is certainly doable.
You’ve got this!
Dr. TB
