Every senior in high school knows that the last few months are very stressful. As an eighteen year old you had to answer many difficult questions such as "What is your major?" "Are you dating anyone serious?" And my favorite of all questions "What school are you going to?"

I was anxious every time people would ask me that question and I would quietly answer "I'm going to a Community College."

Many people were shocked, I had received many different questions ranging from "But you're too smart for a Community College" to "Did you not get a high enough ACT/SAT score?"

I decided January before graduation that I was going to go to a Community College, mostly because it was more beneficial to me. But, some people did not understand why I didn't want to jump right in to the high stress of a University.

Throughout the year at the Community College, I learned so much about the college life, without straying too far from home.

On my own, I knew that it was going to cost far less to take the exact same classes that I would be taking at any other University. So, why not get them done for far less cheaper.

This is a wonderful thing about Community Colleges that I wish more people knew about. I took 42 credit hours in one year to very little cost to me.

Before I started college I didn't really know what I wanted to do for the rest of my life, and luckily Community College really pushed me in the right direction.

Like any other high school senior its really stressful trying to figure out what you want to do for the rest of your life. Thanks to Community College I talked to many different people who were in the same boat as I was. After studying different majors, it was easy to pick out the right one that was for me.

I learned my study habits before it was too late

Starting college is always rough. Because you are used to not reading the textbook in high school and still passing. But, I quickly found out that you can't do that in college. In high school whenever the teacher asked if you read a chapter most people would just laugh and say yes. But, in college if you don't read the chapter then the lecture will make no sense, and plus there could be a pop quiz. Just be sure to read the chapter!

I enjoyed my freshman year from the comfort of my own bed

I know many freshman enjoy the freedom that college brings. But, I found it more exhilarating to be able to write a paper while watching Netflix on my computer and writing a seven page paper that was due in just a few hours by the comfort of my full sized bed.

I found more time to work

I enjoyed working because it let me take time away from studying. Plus, I was able to talk to different people and completely detox myself away from school for a few hours.

I am very proud of myself for making this decision, and I know that it paid off in the long run. I have never been more proud of myself, and I know that all the life lessons that I learned this past will definitely help me as I move forward in both my career and life.