Regular

by Leah Wilson

Created on: October 21, 2008

Upon deciding to attend a junior college or a university, you should go on to a four year university and forget about a junior college. Junior colleges are less expensive, and I have been to both a community college and a university. Don't get me wrong, junior colleges are okay, just not for everyone. Planning for your future is hard, but necessary. College, of course, isn't even for everyone, but if it is for you, then I advise you to choose cautiously which college to attend. It's your future.

All people planning to go to college should talk with a parent or friend about their choice and whatever fears they may have about a four year college. College is a great opportunity, but it's also a huge learning experience. Here are some common fears students sometimes have about classes of a major university.

1. It's too hard.
College is hard most of the time, but not always. Plus, the first two years are like high-school in that you'll be taking basic courses like English 101, Geography 101, etc., and this is true even at junior colleges. If you start out at a junior college, it will be almost like high school again. Think of it this way. Which is better: Starting out at a college that will fully prepare you for your career or one that won't?

Here is what to expect: intense reading, fewer class grades, and classes at least two hours long. Fewer class grades mean that you do not have as many chances with daily grades to pull up a bad test score. However, that's where all the daily studying and intense reading comes in. Also, many high schools have two hour long classes anyway, so students are more prepared for longer college class periods.

Another reason college is hard is because of the tests. It is true that At universities, you should be careful to study everything, as the study guides usually don't cover all test questions. Professors try to give students much of the information they need during class sessions, giving students the perfect chance to highlight in textbooks most of the key terms they need to remember for exams. The good news is a student can certainly retake, allowing the better grade to replace the lower grade.

2. It's expensive.
Trust me on this. College is very expensive. However, federal aid assists students every different financial situation. Just be prepared for some lengthy paperwork. If you can't get a Pell grant, then look into other options- MTAG or student loans, for example. Federal Pell used to give students a year to get there grades up to part...before cutting back on aid, and many students report their first year is their hardest.

3. I don't like the idea of such a big transition.
Entering college is a big step. Well, graduating high school is a big step forward into the world. At seventeen or eighteen, you only begin to open your eyes up to the world around, and then there are all the changes you are suddenly faced with.

Think back to your first job or your first day of first grade. This is just another new experience. You'll be nervous, and that is only normal. It takes most students at least a week or two to get used to school, and that's how it will be with college. However, most of your fears (because you are new to all this) will be gone after about two weeks. Then, you can relax a little and start enjoying the college experience.

4. I lack the discipline to study properly.

Employees want to hire those who are qualified with a degree to do the job. That being said, it is a good idea to not go to college if you won't put any effort at all into studying or learning. Breaking into schedule isn't easy, but it can be done. Find your method(what works for you) for studying and stick to it. Whether it is meeting with a study partner or studying alone, see what helps you the most. See a guidance counselor on the university campus to learn how to become a better student if the professors tell you that you aren't doing your part in the class.

It is tempting for even the best students to quit studying while in college. Remember that after your four years of college are up, whether you plan to go to grad school or go into that teaching that you mastered in school, school turns into a hands on experience. In other words, the books come first, but later it's all real world work, work in which anything you learned from books will come in handy. So, keeping that in mind should give you more incentive. Planning your future is an important process, and you want to be sure to make the wisest choices for you. Major universities are even known to be great at placing students in a job in their field of study after they graduate. Remember, studies in the past have shown that the younger we are, the easier it is for us to learn-so go on and enroll in a four year college, learning all that you can.

Junior colleges don't give students as many advantages or the best overall college experience. Also, many exciting experiences await university students. Concerts, Art exhibits, college basketball/football games and more. Plus, for first time students, campus tours and registration events make students feel more welcome and help them to find what they need.

Television often portrays Universities as these huge, ultra difficult learning facilities, which they are...to some degree. However, movies and shows greatly exaggerate how big a college is and its standards. Think about it. You don't have to enroll in Harvard or Yale(two of the most difficult colleges) anytime soon, or ever. I think that if your high school GPA is average or better, then a junior college would only slow your education down.

5. I don't know what I want to become yet.
Keep in mind that the first two years of college, involve just basic courses. You don't go into your major until later, about halfway through college. So, there is plenty of time left to decide your major. Some students may know as soon as they enter a university; others do not. Do not let this indecision stop you from your dreams. Many times graduates work in a totally different field than they first expected. For example, an education student may become a taxi driver, home day care worker, or go to graduate school to become a college professor. It is also possible to switch majors later, and college is just a way to broaden your choices.

Don't forget that at a four year college, a guidance counselor is available to talk to you about your career options, and can assist you if you aren't sure what to do. Books that show graduate school requirements are also available.

Again, I'm not saying that community colleges are bad for everyone, but they probably aren't the best choice for above average students. Having attended both, I can say that I still had to face the transition of going to a larger university later. College is a big transition, often an expensive investment, and a challenge, but it can also be very rewarding.

Learn more about this author, Leah Wilson.
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