College is a pretty cool experience. From moving out for the first time, to planning for your future, there's no other time like it in your life. While many students go straight to a four year school, some choose to start at a community college and get their feet wet first. Here are 7 things everyone who went to a community college will understand.
1. You (thankfully) avoided the stigma of being a freshman.
On a big campus at a four year school, it can be pretty obvious if you are a freshman or not. Upperclassmen are not always the nicest people when it comes to how they treat freshmen. We're not mean, but there are some signs that freshmen exhibit. Not at a community college. You have classmates of all ages, so no one can really tell if you are a freshman or not. Plus, you don't have juniors or seniors there.
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2. You miss your old school.
While your new school is pretty awesome, you can't help but wish you could earn your bachelors from your community college. Dirt cheap (by comparison) tuition, food that is actually good, and the comfort of your own bed at home. Ah, the memories.
3. You actually had professors for your general education classes.
At four year schools with graduate programs, you know there's going to be at least one graduate student teaching a general class in whatever discipline. At a community college, you only have undergraduate students, so you will always get a "real" professor.
4. The college search process a second time around is not any easier.
If you transfer, you will have to look at colleges that might suit you again. You did this once in high school, so it should be easier now, right? That's not the case. This time, you have the added struggle of making sure all of your credits will transfer.
5. Time flies by insanely fast.
Two years at one school, then the final two years at another. That's not a lot of time to really get settled or to just be. Four short semesters is not that much time. It goes by faster than you can blink, or at least it seems that way.
6. You still don't have any idea what you want to do with your life.
You couldn't even pick a place to study for four years, how can people expect you to pick a job for the next forty years? I mean, didn't I just get to college? Now I have to graduate and do adult things?!
7. You will graduate with less debt than your peers.
Even though transferring is hard, it will be so worth it when you pay off the last of your student loans while your classmates will still have months left. Ah, the sweet smell of freedom.
Transfer students get a pretty unique college experience. We basically get a two for one when it comes to schools. If you earned your associates degree, you even have that to show for your efforts. There are some things that your non-transfer peers will just never understand. Keep on rocking fellow transfers!
