College is an exciting, difficult time for everyone, but it can be even more so for first generation college students. It is easy to see going to college as the norm these days, but for some, it is a potentially life-changing goal that is difficult to obtain. For many students, community college is the first stop on their educational journey.
Community colleges are pretty accessible academically and financially, which makes them ideal for a lot of students, first generation or not. In Tennessee, where high school graduates can attend two years of community college for free because of the Tennessee Promise policy, community colleges have become even more ideal for those seeking a higher education. For first generation students, community colleges can be the student’s first introduction into academia, which can open up a world of possibilities.
According to Northeastern University, high school graduates earn around $38,000 a year, but those with an associate’s degree earn a median pay of around $46,000. This extra money could be life-changing for students who come from poverty or low-income families. Getting an associate’s degree from community college also opens up the door for students to go back to school later on to obtain their bachelor’s degree, even if they choose not to do so immediately or feel like they cannot afford to attend a four-year university right away.
Community colleges also help students transition and get used to college expectations and course load. At my time at ETSU, I’ve seen a lot of people drop out or fail because they did not understand or adapt to college-level expectations, and community college helps students understand those differences.
Education of any level is important and can make an impact on one’s life. Even if one does not get a financial gain from getting some form of higher education, college still teaches many life and social skills that people may otherwise never learn or learn later in life. For first generation college students, attending community college is the first step in their journey to seek new opportunity.
