10 Things Students Should Know Before Attending a Community College

If you plan on seeking a higher education, there are several things you should consider. But, one of the most important decisions is whether or not you should attend a community college or not. The following tips will give you an inside look at what you should expect if you choose to attend a community college.

Insider's Guide to Community College Tip #1: Cheaper than a University

Community colleges are much cheaper than attending a university. You will not only pay less for your tuition, but community colleges have fewer fees. If you do shop for your textbooks at the bookstore, you will also notice that the prices are much cheaper than those at a university bookstore.

Insider's Guide to Community College Tip #2: Choose the Right Electives

You might be tempted to take electives that you find interesting and that's great, just remember that you should also take electives that will help you in your future career. Also the electives you choose will depend on the university you will later transfer to and what they require.

Insider's Guide to Community College Tip #3: Avoid the Bookstore

If at all possible, avoid buying your textbooks at the bookstore. The prices are absolutely outrageous. You will find textbooks much cheaper if you shop online at Amazon or Half.com. I have actually found books for $0.50 that cost $50 in the community college bookstore.

Insider's Guide to Community College Tip #4: Be Prepared for Poor Parking

More times that not community colleges have poor parking. This means you will need to get to class early in order to find a good spot. Sometimes even getting to class early is not enough and you will have to park in the back of the parking lot and walk.

Insider's Guide to Community College Tip #5: Smaller Class Size

A huge advantage to community colleges is the class size. Community colleges keep their class sizes very small, with only about 10 - 15 students per class. This is a huge difference compared to universities which sometimes have 40 students in one class.

Insider's Guide to Community College Tip #6: Several Opportunities Available