Community Colleges
Community colleges are public institutions that offer learners a two-year program of lower tertiary education. Community colleges are sometimes referred to as junior colleges since, after completion or graduation from a community college, a person is able to enroll in a university. Attending a community college has a lot of pros. For starters, it takes a shorter time to complete a college program; thus, allowing the graduate to pursue other major options. Another benefit of attending a community college would be that community college allows students to have a flexible timetable. A flexible timetable offers the students a lighter workload and study load that is experienced in universities. Community colleges are also cheaper than universities. University studies in America are faced with the challenge of cost because the tuition fee is expensive, and most students from a poor background find themselves unable to afford the university tuition. However, community colleges are cheap and affordable for people from all walks of life.
Nonetheless, community colleges are faced with a lot of challenges that hinder their ability to be the best option for the tertiary level of studies. To begin with, community colleges have a limited curriculum that differs from the university level of curriculum. They offer two years’ worth of curriculum per program, and if one wants to further their program, they will have to enroll at a university to continue with their program. Another bad point for community colleges is that they do not have a vibrant social scene and experience that is popular with the university lifestyle. Most of the community colleges offer students the opportunity to join clubs, sporting activities, or even social groups. However, most students in the community college juggle between school and work, and this affects their ability to experience campus life. Lastly, the community college has a high number of students who are not highly invested in their school, work since they are more concerned with their jobs than the college experience and education.