Am I a loser because I didn't go away to college?

Question

It seems like everyone in my class went away somewhere except me. i go to the community college. I don't know what I want to do, and I never liked the idea of dorming. I'm not a big drinker and I think it would just be a bad match. Usually it doesn't bother me that I didn't go away, but I was just browsing facebook and saw that tons of my classmates are in big universities..

I don't think I'm missing out on any "experience". I don't need a big university or a lot of debt to meet new people. I just don't think that way.. I'm a big traveller (I own 2 planes) so if I wanna meet new people and get away from my hometown, I can do that at any time of the day.

Answer 1

Nope. Doesn't make you a loser. You have to do what's right for you, based on all of your factors. And you have to take your time figuring out what you want to do with your life. You're doing fine.

Try to get out of the habit of comparing yourself to everyone else, though. It will always lead you down the path of fear and self doubt, and there's nothing good down that path. All you have to do is visit one of your "away to a big university" friends for a weekend, and chances are you'll find solid confidence in your own choice.

Answer 2

... why does the big drinker thing have anything to do with college? No one forces you to become inebriated. I mean, if that's the reason why you think you and college won't mesh, it's a good thing you didn't waste the money to go. Your path is your own, and if you don't think you'll benefit from some top university, that's your decision. I only have a problem with this if you stay at home all day and watch TV... you've got to be just a little more productive than that, which you are since you say you're going to a community college.

By the way, a lot of people who do go to universities don't know what they want to do. They just either pick the easiest major or go in "undeclared." Frankly, it's just a piece of paper at the end... people really don't give a crap WHAT you majored in. All they want to know is that you attended a good college. That is, unless you specifically do a major because you plan to go into that field as a career. Also, people don't have to dorm... you can do apartments... it's essentially the same cost, but you live off campus. You'd still have to room with someone to pay the bills, though. Duh. This may be irrevelant to you, but I just wanted to state these things since you mentioned them in your comment.

In the end, you do what you want. No one can dictate your life as long as you can make a sufficient income. Go get a job... how else are you paying off those loans?

Answer 3

Hey!

No way you're a loser! As a matter of fact, you probably made the better choice then some of your friends did!

What I like about your question is that you seem to know yourself and that you're honest with yourself! If you don't think that going away would have been a good match, you're right! It wouldn't have been.

It's hard watching your friends go away, and you wonder if you shouldn't have done it too. But going away to college isn't always the best thing. Lots of people who do, wish they had stayed home for college.

I wouldn't be surprised if you got a better education in the first two years at a community college then a lot of people do if they moved away for college. When you move away, you do have to do lots of adjusting and will be VERY distracted in a dorm. Some people go away because they want to party.

If you go to cc and stay at home during the first two years of college, you'll still meet lots of new people and form friendships, but you'll also be in a better situation to develop good study habits, which is why you go to college.

After you develop good study habits and get used to the college routine, you'll also have matured more. Then when you do transfer to another college, you'll be ahead of the game! You'll have learned how to meet people and how to have fun; you'll also know how to study and to get a good education! Everyone else will have work double time to graduate.

Congratulations on your choice and good luck!

Answer 4

I like what ICYCRISSY has to say. My experience was similar. I found the community college environment to be a supportive place where I could stretch my wings and really go for it, in terms of becoming involved with a peer counseling program and meeting a lot of diverse people.

After I graduated from there, I transferred to a University which was a whole other experience, but valuable also.

Years later I returned when I knew FINALLY what I really wanted to do, earned a masters degree, and entered the profession of my heart.

The most important thing I learned from all this was to pursue learning and experience of what I was truly interested in and passionate about. In the end it works out, if we do that.

Answer 5

No, not a loser. You're missing out on something that could be very special, but it's not always that way for everyone. You aren't ready. You can knock out all your lower division general ed courses inexpensively at your community college and transfer to a university when you are ready. You'll still be young enough to party with the big dawgs, but your college degree will cost half of what it could have. Use you courses at community to earn some scholarships for the university of your future.

You do have to get away and go to college so that you don't have such a small world view. It's ok to come back to your town, but it's not ok to never leave. There's a song: "Don't bother with the local girls." Nuff said. Good luck.

P.S., Your added details make me think this is a troll and not a very good one.

Answer 6

i went to a community college and i am not a loser! and now i transferred to a university to get my degree-Bachelor- on the top of my Associates! it does help to go for a year or 2 to a community college or figure out what you want to do! then you can transfer with a lot of credits-70 is the max though-and you also can have an Associates! i did that, met my bf, was confused about my major, the school i wanted to go to, and community college provides a transitional step from HS to University. it is the in between step that makes you figure out what you want to do with your life or what you like to do and so forth! with time you will get adjusted! figure out your major while at the community college and take the classes that transfer to the most universities! and my best advice is to transfer in the fall because in the spring you will trouble with classes, room, borad, etc. if you know your major then find out the best schools that would accept you with your GPA and lastly dorms are not as bad as you think! i go to Sam Houston State University in Huntsville and i live in the best dorms which are new and dorms are usually cheaper than renting an apartment! i live in the nice dorms because i put my name on the list, waited as well as because i am a jr.

Answer 7

If you're not sure what you want to do, then starting with your local community college is great. Your experience there will help you figure out if you want to pursue a higher degree and what kind of career path you'd like to take. If you decide to transfer you have the advantage of not having spent big bucks for the first few years at a university, and you can research scholarships and programs in the meantime. It sounds like you made the best choice for yourself so be confident that you're doing what's right for you.

Answer 8

you are not a loser because you did not go away to college. The main focus is the education. If the college that you are going to provide everything that you need you should not feel bad.
when I first graduated from high school, I went to a community college. After two years, I transferred to a college away from home. The community college prepared me a little better. That was mt transitional period. Maybe later you may want to do the same. (you will get used to dorm life. It is fun :)

Answer 9

When I graduated hig school I had no idea what I wanted to do. I went to community college for general studies. Boring so I dropped it. Went back for childhood Edu. Lost interest, dropped it. Finally went to Branford Hall Career Institute. Got a cert. in medical billing. I now work in a bank. Still finding out what I want to do. I hate drinking and partying. Most of my classmates either went to college or are married with multiple children. The losers are the ones who don't try. You tried and are happy with where you are. So did I. Not to mention you have 2 planes to travel. I'm afraid to fly. I still don't consider myself a loser and neither should you.

Answer 10

You are def. not a loser and besides you are in a two year college! you can transfer to a 4 yr college or university if you want. a big university isn't just about drinking. not everybody drinks. there is soo much other stuff that happens on campus too. you don't have to live in the dorms if you don't want to, but it is a great way to meet ppl especially if you are a freshman. try not t worry about what other students are doing or where they are. do what suits you and makes you happy!