Find out why you should join a community college and why the classic community college stigma is so far from the truth. Did you know you can utilize social media platforms to learn what you can study?
So, why should you join a community college? There is a stigma that makes people believe that community college is reserved for "losers." For those who couldn’t get into college or have no clue what they are doing. This stigma could not be any farther than the truth. Most people enrolled in community college are ahead of the game.
I used to be one of those people who scoffed at community college. I was a good student who got mostly A’s and a few B’s in high school and I had goals to go straight to a 4-year University, UCLA specifically. When I found out that they didn’t have my major, I was crushed and had no clue what I was going to do.
I wanted to stay local and had no plans to go out of state or live in on-campus housing. That was the moment when I considered community college. Here are just a few of the reasons why I chose to enroll in a community college:
It’s Cheaper
Community College is the best decision for those who don’t want to break the bank and pay off student loans for the rest of their lives. Even in the short term, students who aren’t exactly sure what major they want to pursue. At any moment students can change their major without the guilt trips bestowed upon them by their parents. Your first two years of a college education are going to consist of General Education courses no matter what college you attend, why not get the same education for cheaper?
It’s Closer
What’s the point of going to a school to sleep in a horrible, uncomfortable, and crowded dorm room? Staying at home where it is both comfortable and familiar provides a better learning environment. Granted, I love the city I live in. For those who strongly dislike where they live and want to move out when they are out of high school, you can finish your first two years of college while in high school and move out having more of your education finished, this will give you the chance to get your degree faster and get a job sooner. But that is beside the point.
But What About the “College Experience”
My personal view towards the “college experience” is different in comparison to the majority of my peers. I find the idea of starting a 4-year university, fresh off of high school graduation to “party” and “explore oneself” while paying outrageous tuition costs crazy! If you have the money to pay for outrageous tuition use it for investments, a fun vacation, or a downpayment for something. Just finish your lower-division courses and general education courses at a community college for a significantly cheaper price.
Opportunity for Growth
You can make mistakes! It’s okay. Community College is way cheaper as noted earlier. If you hate the major you are pursuing, you can easily transfer majors without the guilt and horrible feeling of losing thousands of dollars on wasted classes.
Finally, High School Students Get Most of Their Fees Waived
Using the K-12 Form and Concurrent Enrollment forms, High School students will get their unit fees waived. This means all students need to pay for are their textbooks, and some classes don’t even make you pay for textbooks (OER Classes). On top of that, high school students taking classes concurrently will get cheaper parking and other perks. Extra perks may not be offered at all Community Colleges.
Utilize Social Media to Find Your Community & Preferred Field of Study
It may feel overwhelming to consider your field of study, especially while pursuing college academics while still attending high school. Using social media as a search engine or a tool, you may connect with an existing digital community. Social media platforms often house some creators who educate their audiences with stories within their field. Some are doctors, lawyers, graphic designers, vintage furniture restorers, etc. Social media expert, Lipschultz, writes:
Social media communication platforms create symbolic environments in which metaphors, such as the Facebook “wall” or the Pinterest “board,” construct shared meaning and understanding. Mediated interpersonal communication develops when online communication begins to function as it would in a face-to-face environment (Lipschultz, 2018, p. 62).
I was able to connect with business and branding-oriented videos. Many parents may see their children's social media usage as a negative, however, I believe it can be used for educative purposes and as a networking tool for students to consider academic field options.
In addition to sites like TikTok, students should use assist.org (California) or their state equivalent to find majors offered in both junior colleges and universities. Assist.org will allow students attending and/or considering a community college and their course transferability to four-year universities.
Students are essentially in a work environment when they are in school. When a student enters higher education, the risk is higher, especially with the rising cost of tuition nationwide. Social media is your relevant tool, as a student, to explore your options, and community colleges are your low-risk environment to "test the waters" while you explore those academic options that will eventually lead you to your professional environment. For example, if you have questions regarding what major you could choose, using social media as a tool, you can search "#whatmajorshouldichoose," and from there, some questions may be answered. As always, yours truly is accessible for consultations to guide you through your academic journey.
Comment what you think about the community college route and don't forget to follow me at @davidjamesgraye on all social media platforms to never miss a secret!
References
Lipschultz, J. H. (2018). Social Media Communication: Concepts, practices, data, Law and Ethics (2nd ed.). Routledge.
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