Updated
|
How to Manage Your Stress While Attending Community College
We all feel stressed from time to time but, for many college students, the stress is never-ending. Keep reading to learn how to reduce and manage your stress in community college.

Everyone experiences stress from time to time, but stress is a constant companion for many college students. The pressure of maintaining good grades in multiple classes while engaging in extra-curricular activities and keeping up with friends can be draining. Sometimes, it leads to anxiety, depression, or more serious consequences. Keep reading to learn about some of the most common causes of stress in college and its effect on your mental and physical health. You’ll also receive some tips for reducing and managing your stress.

This video explains why college is so stressful for many students.

Why is College So Stressful?

According to the National College Health Assessment, nearly 50% of undergraduate students reported feeling overwhelmed by their academic responsibilities. Furthermore, the National Institute of Health reports that 30% of college students experience profound depression, which is often confused with extreme stress. But what is it that makes college so stressful? Here are some of the most commonly reported causes of stress in college students:

  • Living away from home for the first time
  • The pressure to perform well on school work and tests
  • The financial burdens of college
  • The pressure to land a good job after school

Though college can be a great time to explore new things and blaze your trail, for many students, it is their first time being away from home, which can be challenging. Living in an unfamiliar environment around unfamiliar people

. . .read more

Simple Tips for Bulking Up Your Community College Application

Updated
|
Simple Tips for Bulking Up Your Community College Application
Though many people assume community college is easier than "real" college, you still need to have a strong application if you want to get in. Keep reading to learn more.

Though many people assume that community college is somehow less of a “real” school than traditional colleges and universities, students at a community college must go through the same admissions process. Community colleges each have their own set of requirements for potential students which vary depending on a number of factors. The size of the school, its location, and the programs offered will all affect the admissions process.

Though each school is unique in terms of its requirements, the same basic rules apply to all college applicants. You’ll need to have some kind of standardized test score (either SAT or ACT) and a high school transcript. You may be required to submit letters of recommendation and some kind of personal essay. The admissions team will also want to know about any extra-curricular activities you’ve been involved in because they are looking to create a diverse, well-rounded student body. Keep reading to learn some simple tips for bulking up your community college application.

What Do Admissions Officers Look For?

When a college admissions officer looks over your application, there are several things they’re going to look for. First of all, they’re going to look at your high school transcript but, despite what you might have been told, your grades aren’t the only thing they consider. More important than the grades you get in your classes are the classes themselves as well as the difficulty of the high school curriculum as a whole. Admissions officers look to make

. . .read more

Switching Careers? Consider Going to Community College

Updated
|
Switching Careers? Consider Going to Community College
Considering a career change? Learn why community college could be your ideal path forward with practical tips on navigating the transition, managing costs, and avoiding common pitfalls. This guide helps career changers make informed decisions about their professional future.

Switching Careers? Consider Going to a Community College

There comes a point in every person’s life where you feel ready for a change. Perhaps you’ve been a stay-at-home parent for the past few years, or maybe you’ve been working the same job since you graduated high school. No matter what your current situation, it is customary to wonder if there might be something better out there for you.

Unfortunately, suddenly picking up and changing your life isn’t as easy as you might like – especially if you are considering a career change. With the cost of college tuition rising steadily, more college graduates enter the workforce each year with limited work experience and low wage expectations. In many fields, it’s impossible to get a job unless you have a degree, but even so, that degree may not be worth much.

So, what do you do if you want to change careers in the middle of your life and you don’t have the knowledge or experience to do it on your own? Consider going to community college. Many community colleges offer prerequisite classes that can prepare you to transfer to a traditional school if you have a particular career path in mind, or you can enter a vocational training program. Either way, choosing community college will save you some money and put you on the path to your new future. Keep reading to learn more.

This video by Linda Raynier offers four tips for a successful career change.

. . .read more

Overcoming the Stigma of Community College

Updated
|
Overcoming the Stigma of Community College
There are a number of myths and misconceptions out there that lead people to believe that community college is somehow less valid than a four-year school. Keep reading to learn why this stigma against community college is unfounded.

Overcoming the Stigma of Community College

Many people make comparisons between community colleges and “real” colleges, perpetuating the idea that a community college education is somehow less valid than one from a traditional four-year university.

  • Community colleges have long been stigmatized, but more and more students are taking to social media to declare their support for this type of education proudly.
  • There will always be people who look down on community colleges and the students who attend them, but the truth is that the line between community college and “real” college is becoming more and more blurry.

Canva generated this picture of students having fun in the robotics lab.

Overview of Recent Posts on Social Media

Both community colleges and traditional four-year universities are a type of higher education, but many people make an unfavorable comparison between the two. Though there are many who think that a community college degree is somehow less valuable than one attained at a private college or state university, many community college students are proud of their educational choices.

Here are some posts from social media in the spring of 2017 that show a trend toward greater support for community colleges and the students who attend them:

  • On June 3, Twitter (X) user Alexis Isabel posted, “I hate seeing people be ashamed to be going to community college. College is college. I’m proud of everyone who is trying their best.”
  • On June 3,
. . .read more

What to Consider When Choosing a Community College

Updated
|
What to Consider When Choosing a Community College
There are thousands of different schools out there, so how do you make your choice? Consider these three categories to narrow your search and find the perfect school.

For many high school students, attending college is the next logical step after graduation. According to the U.S. Department of Education, there are more than 2,300 institutions that grant 4-year degrees and around 1,500 community colleges. With so many options out there, making a decision can be quite difficult. If you want to make sure that you end up going to the right school, take the time to think about your future before you start shopping for schools then consider each option in depth, focusing on three categories in particular – academics, student life, and finances.

Before You Start Looking

Though many students look at it this way, college is not just something you do after high school – it is a wonderful opportunity to shape your future and it is an important choice that will affect the rest of your life. This being the case, you need to do some thinking and planning before you actually start shopping for schools so you have some idea about what you are looking for. First, think about your professional goals for the future – what kind of job do you see yourself having ten years down the line? Next, take that idea and delve a little deeper into the industry – are there any requirements or certifications you will need and how stable is a job in that industry? Finally, think about where you want to go to school – do you want to stay close to home or take

. . .read more

Recent Articles

Student Success Programs That Actually Work at Community Colleges
Student Success Programs That Actually Work at Community Colleges
Discover evidence-based student success programs at community colleges for 2025, with outcomes, examples, and actionable strategies.
Best Community Colleges by Career Path in 2025
Best Community Colleges by Career Path in 2025
Explore top community colleges for career-training programs in 2025, including healthcare, IT, skilled trades and business pathways.
Dual Enrollment in High School: Benefits, Risks & Real Student Results
Dual Enrollment in High School: Benefits, Risks & Real Student Results
Explore the pros and cons of dual enrollment in high school, real outcomes for students in 2025, and how to decide if it’s right for you.