Many students experience anxiety when it comes to deciding their plans after high school. They don’t really know what’s the best choice for them and are scared that they will choose the path that isn’t right for them. That is why it is important to take time and find the option that suits your demands and needs, while also ensuring a bright future for yourself.
Ultimately, going to community college is the best solution to this problem. Attending a community college after high school will only benefit a student’s life. It provides high school graduates with affordable prices, flexible scheduling, the chance to stay at home, and, of course, a path to a good university.
The high cost of attending a university is well known, and this is one of the main reasons students feel anxious about their plans. According to an article from the National Society of Hight School Scholars, community college tuition can be “as little as around $3,500 per year, compared to up to around $35,000 for out-of-state students attending a public university.” Going to a community college will really help individuals to save a lot of money.
Aside from the financial situation, many students are simply not ready to go straight to university after high school. According to Research.com, at four-year colleges, “the dropout rate for first-time first-year students is 19.0%.” Very often, individuals choose to go to a four-year university without even realizing that they are not well prepared for the experience. Community college guarantees that students will have the necessary skills to better transition into higher education.
It is really important for individuals to find a balance between education and everyday life. The most helpful skill for finding a balance is having a flexible schedule. Community college provides more flexibility compared to a traditional university, and this kind of schedule makes life easier for students who attend college. As mentioned in an article from Mount Wachusett Community College, the schedule options for students include part-time, evening, online and hybrid choices.
Moving away from home to attend a university is the main source of stress for many students. Starting a new school is never easy, and moving away from home makes it more difficult and extremely stressful for students.
One of the biggest benefits of community college is that students can attend classes while still living in their hometown. Community colleges are located right in your own community, so you don’t have to worry about leaving home.
The Institute for College Access and Success believes that “community college students stay the closest to home, followed by the public bachelor’s/master’s sector.” Moving away from home affects students and their families, both emotionally and financially. Why would someone oppose pursuing an educational journey at a community college, while staying at home and saving money?
Attending a good university is essential for an individual’s future life. Believe it or not, students actually have a stronger chance of getting into a good university as a transfer student from a community college, than they do as a student right out of high school. In fact, UCLA has confirmed that they “give highest priority to applicants from California Community Colleges.” In community college, students learn skills that will be useful and necessary for their university journey, and they may not have the necessary skills for this journey right out of high school.
Some seniors from Glendale High School shared their plans after graduation, and it looks like community college is going to be the preferred option for many of them. Meleny Mojica-Urtarte mentioned that choosing this path provides more financial security for her family. She also stated that community college will help her to understand who she really is and what she really wants to do in the future, which helps to be mindful about future choices.
Senior, Aniella Pieprzyca-Mazadiego has also decided to continue her educational journey through community college. The biggest reason she wants to attend one is because there are specific programs like the Transfer Admission Guarantee program, which guarantees admission to a UC school for all students from California community colleges.
Nitros, if you want to save money, have a flexible schedule, stay in your own community and have the best chance to get accepted into a good university, then community college is the best option for you. Your future depends on every small action you take, so choose your steps wisely.
Be mindful about your choices after high school, Nitros!
