Did you go to community college? If so, can you give me a detail account of how your experience was?

Question

I'm starting in community college for my undergraduate degree and i was wondering if people like it. I feel that it is a significant downgrade for me and so do others. I told them, with my financial situation in mind, that it would behoove me to go there so i can save about 40,000 or even more. I want to know how the atmosphere is like and how people intereact with each other. Also could you tell me if we are allowed to use laptops during class to take notes in lieu of paper and pen. I feel that my handwriting is barely ledgible when i go back to review so i just don't study it. Also i type faster than i write. If it is allowable, could you tell me if it would be awkward to have an out as opposed to everyone in the classroom using loose leaf paper and pen? Also if you could tell me how to make the best out of my surroundings while in CC, that would be cool, what i mean by best is how to distinguish myself for prospective candidates at top-tier private schools.

Answer 1

A community college is not much different than a four year institution, except it has less of a social atmosphere.

Yes, laptops are allowed for taking notes, a few students I know have them.

Don't feel as though a community college is a downgrade.
Consider yourself lucky, most folks don't have the opportunity to go to college.

Distinquish yourself by maintaining a high GPA and getting involved with student government.

Good luck in your studies.

Answer 2

I went to cc. It was a while ago so the laptop thing had not caught on quite yet. People had them but usually only used them between classes. I cant say anyone used a laptop for note taking in class. Of course that did not happen when I went to a regular 4 year college so I am dting myslef a bit. I will say my little sister is in CC and she says that most people do use laptops for note taking but it usually at the the professors discretion. As for the experience it was more or less the same as a four year college. The quality of education was the same but more one on one with the instructor if you chose to take advantage of the small class size. There werent any frat/sor but there were clubs you could join. I got the feeling that most people didnt take them as seriously as in a university. I think this has a lot to do with the fact that most people who go to cc are still living at home. Where as people at university are more likely to join clubs and the like becuase they are in need of rebuilding a social network. However, at cc you have a much better oppurtunity of taking on leadership roles in clubs or even starting your own. This by the way is a really good way of distinguishing yourself. There are always pros and cons to each situation it all comes to what you want, what you make of the oppurtunities given to you, and how you go about attaining your goals.

Answer 3

Same as any other college the only difference is you will be saving money. Besides so what if you maybe using a computer and everyone is using a pen and paper. As along as you do what is best for you and your eductaion then do it. Why trry to write with pen and paper if you cant understand it just because everyone else in the class is using pen and paper. Dont worry about what anyone else says community colleges are not that bad. They allow you to save money and further your education. And for all of the people who are telling you are making a down grade simply say to them "Hey I am going to college to further my education, to become a better well rounded person are you" Also the great thing about going to a comunity college is that there are alot of people from different cultures, background, and race, which is a benefit because it teachs you how to interact with different people.


GOOD LUCK And you will do well just stay focus

Answer 4

I went to UC Berkeley in engineering (good 5 college) with SAT rankings no longer so diverse than yours (returned before they further the writing requirement). you have an marvelous GPA and outdoors stories. reckoning on the way you craft your front essays, i think of you have a sturdy shot to get in the place ever you like. i'd only say this: notwithstanding scores are particularly subjective, there is not any doubt that the better the score the extra opportunities you have got. At Berkeley, I had the prospect to learn physics from a Nobel laureate and artwork as an undergraduate student on a controlled fusion reactor. additionally, once you're pitted against the best and smartest pupils, you're forced to strengthen and excel. From the little you have written, you seem to have the capability to attain an relatively complicated atmosphere. you may sense extra comfortable in a smaller college, yet you will no longer have the probabilities, nor a similar annoying circumstances, as a superb tier college. you will desire to contemplate whether you like a school experience the place you sense comfortable and comprehend you will prevail, or one which will challenge you to strengthen or be left in the back of? do you ought to opt for the latter, and you get right into a superb college, the your opportunities to learn and strengthen would be constrained with the aid of what you are able to address, no longer with the aid of what's attainable to you. My 2 cents.

Answer 5

There is absolutely nothing wrong or “downgrading” about attending a Community College. You should not go in there with a shameful attitude or thinking that you are better than everyone else. Community Colleges provide an excellent venue for anyone who wants to pursue higher education learning but are limited to do so for lack of time or financial resources. They also provide a stepping stone for individuals that are uncertain about the college experience and would like to get their feet wet in a less formal environment. Many students follow the community college route while trying to decide what their major will be once they transfer to a formal college. My experience with community college was on a part time basis, I worked full time and I attended community education to try and better my self. I wanted to acquire an Associates degree in computer programming from the college in order to have a better shot at job opportunities. While I never did acquire the associate’s or an undergraduate’s college degree I can tell you for fact that my life is a thousand times better because of my experiences and leanings in the community college. I accumulated close to 60 hours of college credits from my community college and I have been a successful software developer for over 15 years thanks to this community college credits. I would have never been able to become a software developer if it wasn’t’ for my community college education. As far as the environment is concerned, you make of it what you want; it’s a very informal setting and very relaxed. Instructors are sometimes full time teachers and sometimes part-time professionals with outstanding qualifications in their field. As far as using a laptop I think that would probably be up to the individual instructors that you have, just like any other college I would imagine. My one piece of advise to you is to not go in there thinking you are cheating your self out of a better education, go in there with an open mind and the attitude to learn and make the most of it, you will meet some interesting people and you will be able to save up some money while you decide what your next move is going to be.

Answer 6

first off, don't go in there with an attitude that you're better than that place, because people'll see that and blow you off. contrary to popular belief (mine too once upon a time) community college is cool. i'm currently attending it and i love it. the atmosphere is relaxed, you're able to pace yourself in class, and the experience is just like any other university. as a matter of fact, we get university professors that teach part time over here. you just have to remember one thing; this is like the public schools of colleges. meaning, it gives everyone a chance to go to school without an excuse not to meaning, anyone can be accepted. but, nine times out of ten, they're just people like you (with the financial aspect in mind) or regular, blue collar, working joe's trying to make a better life for themselves. they got into the workforce at a young age and for one reason or another, couldn't go to or get back into school for a long time. so basically this is where everyone can get a leg up. i myself am getting an AAS in visual communications in which i plan to use to transfer to the university. which is another thing, CC's are are usually more accredited than, say, Dervry, Lincoln Tech, or even some of the online universities popping up everywhere. so, strip your misconceptoions and get your education by any means. besides, the way the world is heading, a college degree is no big whoop anymore, so you're just doing it for the experience and personal fulfillement more or less--- at least that's why i'm doing it.

Answer 7

Community college is a great way to save money and build a good GPA to transfer to a University. I STRONGLY recommend attending community college and make the best of it. Participate in student governement and make a difference in your local community. Get involed in school activities and programs that interest you, don't just join because it'll look good on your transcript. Laptops are permitted in most universities, and sometimes even a requirement. Don't get intimidated by people who say community colleges are bad.......THINK ABOUT THE MONEY YOU'LL SAVE!! Also, you have some time to think about your major. When you transfer to a university, you'll take it more seriously. I had a wonderful community college experience and now have an MBA. My advice: NEVER GIVE UP. You will finish (eventually).

Answer 8

I went to a CC and it was basically like High School, only easier. I went to CC for financial reasons, despite being accepted to a few very good universities. The problem was that it was so easy, I found myself getting lazy and skipping classes because I knew I could catch up on the work with little effort. That attitude eventually led to me dropping out and entering the workforce (more out of boredom than anything else). i did go back and finish up my degree by taking night classes and I am glad I did, but I gained a little insight into the CC experience.

First - it likely is a downgrade from you, so be prepared for it.

Second - Laptops are fine in this day and age.

Third - The social structure is even more compartmentalized than in HS.

Fourth - As far as distinguishing yourself, unless you are a minority (race, religion, disability, etc...) going tor a CC is viewed as a negative when being looked at by the more prestigious schools. if you are a minority, then it is usually overlooked due to the benefit of your inclusion adding to the potentials schools diversity (which there are usually set quotas for).

Answer 9

I have been to community colleges as well as universities and graduate school. Some of my best professors were in the community colleges and I think it is foolish to pay university prices when at the end you can go there for only 2 of the 4 years and get the same degree.