Any student in the world can tell you that college is not easy. The transition from high school to college is different. From having to buy textbooks to your teachers just hanging out, dorm life, the schedule of college, right down to the people you meet, everything is different. Everyone in college has one goal and one goal alone: graduating college.
My freshmen year of college was all of that and so much more. I loved the fact that I got to travel 400 miles away, meet a vast group of people from different cultures, towns, and states, who happened to be majoring in a variety of things. I met future doctors and future teachers. Of course, like many other people, my stay in college was disrupted and I had to make the decision: go into further debt or come home and figure out what I wanted to do with my life and who I wanted to be. Of course, to readers, this decision was fairly obvious but to me. I spent hours turning it over in my head. I met a lot of friends, half my life had already been restarted out here, I just got used to the cold winters of Iowa, and so much more. At the same time, I was yearning to be back home where I was more grounded and happy, where people knew me and got me, and where I could cheer for the Royals without getting looks of disbelief.
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So, I made the choice to come home and start college at Johnson County Community College. As of right now, the decision is not one that I regret.
1. Books are so much cheaper at community college.
My freshmen year I went to a private liberal arts college. That was my first mistake. I paid around $300 for textbooks my freshmen year of college, for the first semester alone, and $200 for the second semester, for a total of about $500. This year, I spent a total of $110, for the first semester.
2. The commute to school is more relaxing
Yes, spending money on gas isn't exactly ideal but the rides to and from school are a lot more fun compared to seeing the same thing every day walking to and from classes. There isn't even a chance to belt out the lyrics to Fergalicious three times before your 8 a.m. class.
3. Seeing familiar faces
I was actually wondering if I would know anyone who was going to JCCC this year and, to my dismay, I did. Bumping into the person I met three weeks ago at McDonald's is not uncommon in my situation. We might share a small "hi," and then go on our separate ways, or I will bump into someone I've known for awhile, forget to say hi, and then excitedly text them "OMG, sorry. I didn't say hi, but I just saw you."
4. Actually getting along with people you went to high school with
Seeing someone I graduated with is pretty cool to me; since, I've long since moved on from hanging out with them. A smile and a "how have you been?" is actually pretty nice to me. Being in the same school as people who didn't like you for four years was tough, but once you are both in the same boat as each other of going to community college, it's harder to not get along and connect on that level.
5. Getting to be at home
While many people yearn to leave home and go far away, there is a calming sense that you don't have to leave when you go to a community college. If you do choose to move out, your home is just a 10-15 minute drive away.
Overall, going to community college has been a blessing in itself. While I left behind the chance to meet various people, I get the chance to meet people from my area and learn more about myself and what I want to do in the future. Maybe someday I will get the chance to meet a variety of people again, but, for now, it's comforting knowing that I can be home and see my dog every day.
