–By David Mosca–
As a new student to, NJCU I must say it’s been one wild ride to get here. I recently graduated from Hudson County Community College (HCCC) and it took me quite some time.
When I first started out at HCCC, I was ridiculed for it by many who I thought were my friends. I was told that HCCC wasn’t a “real” school, that the professors weren’t “real” professors, that I was wasting my time and money and that I needed to go to a “real” school. During this time, I was told that I needed to go to a university so I could get out of school in four years. All I could think was, “What’s the rush?”
Do you really have to finish school in four years? I don’t think so. Can you start out at a community college and then transfer to a university? I don’t see why not. Many people are obsessed with what schools they go to and how fast they can graduate. Is it really that big of a deal?
I made the decision to attend community college on my own terms. I wanted to be close to home and it would help save money. Everyone I knew wanted to be away from home and on their own. People thought it was absurd that I wanted to stay home. I didn’t believe that at all and I don’t regret it. I went to community college and saved money while the others who ridiculed me went off to their schools and ended up in debt.
During my time at HCCC, I took courses at my own pace. Everyone else I knew was in school full time taking up to five different courses and burdened with large amounts of work to do. I was in school part time with only three classes and an easier workload. Was it worth it in the end? Yes, I believe it was. I did it on my terms.
There was a point when I did take some time off from school to regroup. Many people wouldn’t encourage this because there have been cases where a student takes time off and then never returns to school. I wasn’t going to let that happen.
Having time to reflect is something I encourage. If you need time off to figure things out, then take it. Some may have not been happy with my leave of absence but it helped me figure out what I wanted to do next, and it got me to where I am today.
When I began making the final preparations for my transfer from HCCC to NJCU some people said I was in for a rude awakening. People said that I wouldn’t be able to handle the transition from a community college to a university. I was told that the work load would be different, the teaching would be different, and that the classes would be different.
When I got to NJCU, I felt like I was ready.
Do we really have to finish college in the expected four year time period? Not necessarily. It’s ok to move at your own pace. If you need to stop and take a breath, then do so. Don’t worry about what others will think of your decisions. You have to do what’s right for you. There’s no law that says you can’t take off or work at your own pace to keep things steady.
Why are some afraid to do take these steps? Are they afraid of how society will look at them? Are they afraid how their family and friends will look at them? They should only worry about how they see themselves.
When others question what you’re doing with your education just stare back and tell them you’re doing what’s right for you.