For most of my college search, I was convinced that I would attend a four-year college rather than a community college. However, in the few weeks before I had to make my final decision, it became clear that community college was the right choice for me. A big part of that decision was the financial stress, but I also realized that I wasn't quite ready to leave home yet. When it came time to choose, I had to focus on what I truly needed rather than what I had imagined for myself. My mom and I had been discussing and sometimes arguing about college finances for months. She wanted me to focus on what would make me happy and not worry so much about the cost, but that was difficult for me. The financial burden was always on my mind, and ignoring it felt impossible. Upon receiving the finical award letters it became very clear to me that I could not handle the finical stress  and that it would be better for me to go to a more finically safe option. Once I decided to attend community college, I felt confident in my choice. It was what I genuinely wanted. Community college gives me a stepping stone between high school and a four-year college, allowing me to continue my education without immediately moving two or more hours away from home. It felt like the best balance between preparing for my future and taking a path that was right for me at this stage in my life. In the end I decided to go to Greenfield Community College. 

What do high school students not know about college? These were some of the most common things I found when researching this:

No one is constantly checking on you.
Professors usually won't remind you about missing assignments, and parents or friends cant remind you either. Time management becomes much more important.

College is often more flexible than high school.
You might only have classes for a few hours each day, but you should use the rest of your time for studying and assignments.

The workload is different, not necessarily harder.
Instead of daily homework, you may have fewer assignments that count for a much larger portion of your grade.

Changing your major is common.
Many students enter college unsure of what they want to do and end up changing their major at least once.

College life can add up.
Books, transportation, housing, meal plans, fees, and personal expenses can add up quickly. Becoming more of an expense than you previously thought.

Community college is a legitimate path.
Many students save thousands of dollars by completing general education requirements at a community college before transferring.

You don't have to have your entire future figured out.
A lot of students feel pressure to know exactly what career they want, but many discover their interests through classes, internships, and experiences.

Making friends takes effort.
Unlike high school, you're not automatically surrounded by the same people every day. Joining clubs, attending events, and talking to classmates helps build connections.

Office hours are valuable.
Professors often expect students to ask questions and seek help. Visiting office hours can help both your understanding and your relationship with professors.

College is not just academics.
Learning how to manage money, advocate for yourself, balance responsibilities, and make decisions independently is a big part of college. Even though it might just seem like you are going for school you are also becoming an adult.