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Choosing a college is a major decision that will affect at least the next two to four years of your life, depending on which school and which program you choose. Many students attend college right out of high school simply because it seems like the logical next step. With college tuition rising each year and millions of college graduates still struggling to start a career, however, it is important to think through this decision systematically before you make your choice.

Here are the top ten questions to ask yourself before going to college, as well as some important questions to ask when it comes to making your decision.

This video explains why community college is a good choice.

Ten Questions to Ask Yourself Before Going to College

Before you even decide to attend college, there are some important questions that you need to ask yourself. Your answers to these questions will help you to determine if the timing is right for you to attend college or if you might be better off waiting a few years. These questions will also help you to narrow down your choice for a major so you can choose the best college to fit your interests. Here are the top ten questions to ask yourself as you think about attending college:

1. Do you know what you want to study? If you don’t already have some idea of what you

Students who attend community college over a traditional four-year university do so to save money or to have greater flexibility with their classes. Just because you choose a community college, however, doesn’t mean you have to miss out on a true college experience. Many community colleges are starting to offer their students the same benefits that more traditional colleges offer, including study abroad opportunities. If you are a community college student considering a study abroad program, take the time to learn the pros and cons before you make your choice.

Can Community College Students Study Abroad?

Unless you’ve done some research, you may not know that studying abroad is even an option for community college students. The fact of the matter is, however, that more community college students are taking advantage of study-abroad programs than ever before. Research shows that nearly 6,000 community college students participated in study abroad programs from 2012 to 2013. That was a 12% increase from the year before, and the number continues to rise. Even though more community college students are studying abroad each year, they are still just a drop in the bucket. Regarding the total number of American students who study abroad each year, community college students only represent about 3%.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Studying Abroad?

Before you decide to study abroad, there are many things you need to think about. Arranging a study abroad program requires a lot of preparation, and it’s not something you should

Community college offers a wonderful alternative to traditional four-year colleges and universities in many ways. Not only are community college degrees generally much more affordable, but the programs themselves are also very flexible. Many community colleges offer online classes, which are particularly beneficial for non-traditional students, including parents and students who work full-time jobs. Keep reading to learn more about non-traditional students in community colleges and tips for success.

What is a Non-Traditional Student?

College students come in various packages, but most students fall into the same categories regarding age and lifestyle. However, there are some major differences among the student body when it comes to community colleges versus four-year colleges and universities. Community colleges tend to attract more “non-traditional” students, but what does that mean? According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), seven characteristics are commonly seen in students who qualify as “non-traditional” – here they are:

• I didn’t go to college right after graduating from high school
• Attending college part-time instead of full-time
• Working a full-time job while in school
• Being financially independent of parents and family
• Having children or other dependents
• Being a single parent
• Having a GED rather than a high school diploma

Of course, not all non-traditional students fit all these criteria, but you only need one to be grouped in this category. However, you may be surprised to learn how common non-traditional students are at the undergraduate level as a whole – it is close to 75% of all undergraduate students fall into at least

Many students choose community college over a traditional four-year university because it is more affordable. A year of tuition at community college could be as low as $3,500 compared to more than $33,000 for a private university. But just because community college is more affordable doesn’t necessarily mean it is any less a real college. Many community colleges strive to mimic the “true” college experience by offering their students campus housing and social activities.

Another way in which community colleges strive to compete with traditional universities is by offering athletics programs. In early March of 2017, community college athletics was a trending topic on Twitter, Instagram, and other social media. Keep reading to learn more.

Students Choose Community Colleges for Sports

In early March 2017, the Twitter hashtag #communitycollege was filled with announcements by incoming community college students making commitments based on athletics. Here is an overview of some of those announcements:

• On March 2, 2017, @jvaught11, the Twitter handle, posted, “Excited to announce that I have signed to play baseball at Chandler-Gilbert Community College.” Home of the Wild Coyotes, Chandler-Gilbert Community College is located in Chandler, Arizona, and it offers a variety of sports programs, including baseball, basketball, golf, soccer, softball, and volleyball.
• On March 8, 2017, the Twitter handle @CoachRegalado posted, “Congrats to @mgonzalez13 on her visit and PWO offer to Laredo Community College!” Laredo Community College, also known as LCC, is located in Laredo, Texas, and offers sports programs, including baseball, softball,