[Sarah Diehl]

Hey! I love this perspective. Community colleges are very valuable in both these cases. I started at a community college for the reasons he said – I couldn’t afford a four year school and I wasn’t necessarily prepared to go to one.

When thinking about college preparedness, there’s a lot more that goes into it than academics. You might not be emotionally prepared for the independence that comes with the traditional four year experience, especially when it comes to living in dorms, or the social aspects. For students who aren’t ready to take that jump for either physical, financial, or emotional reasons, community colleges are great options. This is just another way to think about how community colleges can support their students. I relied heavily on the services my two-year school had to offer as I navigated my education and career goals. For many, they’re a safe space or a more gentle transition.