Community College > University: A Different Path to Success

     I sat in a plastic chair for two hours around people I have known for 4+ years on a warm day on June 1st, 2017. I thought to myself… this is it. I am ready to start my life. I looked around and reflected on all the memories I have made in high school. I loved playing basketball. I loved show choir. I loved everything besides having a lack of independence and freedom. After moving my tassel from right to left and throwing my cap in the air, I felt a sense of relief. It was time to do what I wanted, but wait… I didn’t know what I wanted. 

Before graduating high school, I knew I wasn’t going to start off at a university. I applied to California State Universities (CSU) in the Fall of 2016 because my parents told me it would be nice to see where I was ranked compared to everyone else even if I wasn’t going to go. Okay- I started the applications and noticed that I had to select a major. I had no idea what field or profession I would want to work in. Then, a bunch of other thoughts rushed through my head as I filled out the applications. I had no idea where I would get the money to attend a CSU.  Do I want to be in debt like people I know? Would I make friends at a new school? Oh! And did I mention I had no idea what major I wanted? Am I smart enough to make it into a CSU? If I don’t make it into a CSU, that means I’m not as smart as everyone else. If I go to a community college, does that make me less smart? 

    I was told by my parents and my own Google research that the best route for me was community college. They gave reasons like: 1) Save money! Paying $504 as a full-time student is better than having to pull out loans up to $5,000 or more a semester. 2) Taking general education classes gives you time to explore the subjects you like without fully committing into one major. 3) Attending a community college does NOT make you less of a person. 

When I first attended community college, I was sad that I wasn’t in a pretentious school like my other friends. I felt worthless. I felt insignificant. But after three years at a community college, I can proudly say that my parents were right. I have been happy with my decision after comparing the benefits of attending a community college to those that went to a university after high school. I took the first year discovering what I wanted to do by taking classes that interested me and talked to people who had those similar interests. Unlike some of my high school classmates, I am debt free! I was able to work and keep the money I made for myself. As for my college experience, it’s not over yet. I received my Liberal Arts: Math & Science Associates Degree and have transferred to a university to pursue my Bachelor's in Nursing! Welcome to my nursing jouRNey!

I was able to find who I was and who I wanted to be by going to a community college. 

Going to a community college does NOT mean you are less of a person! 

You can still be successful by attending a community college!