my thoughts on community college.

since i graduated last night, i found it fitting that i should look back on my time spent at community college and how it has affected my life today.

as some people may know, i didn't want to go to community college whatsoever. i applied to a few colleges my senior year of college, and only applied to community college because of the constant persistence from my parents. i applied to make them happy and never really gave it much thought about me actually going there. there was actually an honors program at the college that you individually had to apply for (pretty much where a handful of students would be picked to go through specialized classes and experiences together and scholarships would be given). of course, my parents pushed me to apply to this program as well.

i got accepted into all the colleges i applied to, and i also had been accepted into the honors program at my community college. it was time to make a decision, and boy was it hard. for those of you who don't know, i also am in the position where i am paying for college 100% myself. so even though i probably would have loved to go to a far-away big ass southern state college, it wouldn't be financially smart for me whatsoever. after constant pushing from my parents, we decided that community college would be the smartest decision. i remember crying and crying up until the point that i started college. it was extremely hard seeing all my friends pack up and leave home while i had to stay here and continue on in the same area i grew up. i was angry and jealous! i came up with the idea that i would go to my classes, come home, not make any friends, and just try to get through community college as fast as possible.

i started the college and my honors program in the fall of 2017. during my first month there, i had a retreat i had to go on with all of the other students who were in my program. we were complete strangers at the time. but, after the weekend of the retreat and spending time together in our classes we slowly became closer and closer. eventually, i would be able to call these kids my best friends.

honestly, i have gotten so much out of community college. living at home, being able to work, and take cheaper classes, i have been able to save a tremendous amount of money. i also met my best friends, and constantly had an amazing support system of teachers and faculty who guided me along my journey, pushing me try new things and better myself.

i literally would recommend community college to EVERYONE. it has allowed me to find out who i am, what i want to do as a career (through plenty of trial and error & changed majors), and save plenty of money. i am so thankful to have a school like this in my hometown, and i truly truly don't know where i would be right now if i hadn't gotten to experience everything it had to offer.

♡megan.