Experience with Community College

 Dear Diary Readers,

I have full support for people attending community college. I'm currently in it myself and I've enjoyed it. It has many benefits, which I will share based on my own experiences. 

I've been attending Naugatuck Valley Community College since 2019. I graduated in 2022 with an associate's in Hospitality Management: Foodservice. I'm back in school to get a 2nd degree in Marketing. Originally, I wanted to do a 4-year university, but I came to realize that it isn't for everybody. Some people learn best when they're in a smaller school and the cost can be a game changer. Even when you receive financial aid, it is still up to the student to pay the rest of the tuition. Ultimately, it will lead to signing up for loans which you will have to pay back later on. Student debt can be a struggle to overcome.

Community college is a good alternative because it will be affordable. You're less likely to use student loans because financial aid help will be beneficial. Another point to make is that you can study your major there and afterward transfer to a 4-year college. It will allow you to start off at an affordable school and work to get your bachelor's once you've transferred. It's perfectly ok also to just stay at the community college and only get the associate's degree. You do what's best for yourself. 

NVCC has campuses in Danbury and Waterbury. They are about to merge with the rest of the community colleges in CT this summer to become CT State Community College. Let me know if you have questions or if you want to share your thoughts on community colleges. I'll see you in the next post!

Sincerely, 

Jasmine