Many people search and search for the university they will attend upon high school graduation. Eager students look forward to their time at college while parents wring their hands hoping that their child chooses a university that is not only close to home but also within their budget. Another worry that parents have when their child decides to attend college is whether or not the university they attend will have the specialized and individualized services that their children were accustomed to receiving in high school.
One answer to all those worries and more is to encourage your student to go from high school to a two-year college rather than going straight to a university. Many people find that two-year colleges can in fact provide superior educations to four-year universities for those first two years of foundation college-level courses. You will not get the specialized or specific instruction in a two year college that is available to upper level students at a university level, but most students find the first two years of their college educations focus on getting the requirement and pre-requisite courses rather than the specialized courses in their intended field of study anyway.
Many people also find that those first two years at a community college—transitioning from a small pond to a larger lake—are much easier to handle than going straight from high school to a university—out of the pond and into the ocean. Universities often have lower-level classes as auditorium classes. These classes offer little individual instruction and are often sink or swim. Community colleges offer smaller classes and ample opportunities for tutoring as well as classes on how to learn to study.
Two-year colleges are also much easier on the budget than most universities. Besides the cheaper initial price tags, most community colleges offer very flexible class scheduling and even some courses online, making it a good experience for a cheaper price.
Another benefit to students who wish to enter the workforce sooner rather than later is that you can get a degree or certification in certain programs from a two-year college. This means that you can graduate and begin earning much sooner than if you were to attend a four-year college. If you aren't sure you want to invest the next four or five years of your life in pursuit of a degree or you simply aren't ready to commit yourself to one line of work for the rest of your life, it is a good idea to spend two years in a community college rather than making the leap straight into a university setting.
If you are considering whether or not a community college or two year education is the best course of action for your specific needs, create a list of pros and cons of each and balance your budget to see where your needs are most likely to be fully met. Remember, you can always transfer to a university once you've completed your two-year college education or at any time during that education as long as you meet the university's admission requirements. Good luck, and remember that your college education is one of the largest indicators of your future earning potential, so take it seriously.
