Finding Your Footing at Community College
“I’m going to community college.”
It’s a simple statement, but it can carry weight, uncertainty, and for some, even doubt. I know because I’ve been there myself. At first, I felt like choosing community college meant I wasn’t good enough or that I would never catch up to my peers who decided to attend four-year universities right away. The truth is that deciding to attend community college can be complicated and emotional, and if you’re feeling that way, just know that you are not alone.
Maybe some thoughts you’re having include things like:
●“I’m not good enough to be at a university.”
●“I’ll never be able to transfer.”
●“Other people are moving ahead faster than me.”
If these thoughts sound familiar, it’s okay. It’s normal to feel nervous, frustrated, or unsure of what the next steps may be. I’ve been there, and I understand how daunting this transition can be. Recognizing these thoughts is the first step, and that’s where Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can come into the picture. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps teach us that while we can’t always control our initial reactions, we can learn to examine, challenge, and reframe them in ways that help us move forward with confidence.
Control the Narrative
Taking a look at some of the thoughts you might be having, let’s find ways to reframe the negative into the positive. For example:
●“I’m not good enough to be at university” could be rephrased into something like “everyone takes different paths to reach their goals, attending a community college is a smart and resourceful choice.”
● Another common fear among CC students is: “I’ll never be able to transfer to a four-year university.” Well, what if instead we say: “Transferring is a process, and there are people and programs available to help me.”
This process of reconfiguring our thoughts is known as cognitive restructuring and can be a very useful tool in combating demeaning and unhelpful thoughts and replacing them with more realistic and optimistic ones.
Take Care of Yourself
Community college can carry an unfair stigma, which can oftentimes make students feel lesser than or inadequate compared to others who went to a four-year school right away. As someone who felt that way, I think it is critical to engage in kind and supportive self-talk. Practice saying to yourself:
● “I am working hard and I am making progress towards my goal”
●“Choosing this path will save me money and resources that I can use later on.”
● “I will end up in the same place as everyone else.”
● “Where I go to college doesn’t define who I am as a person”
Making sure that we are kind to ourselves in college, and especially at community college, is so important. We are our biggest cheerleader, and we have to make sure that we take care of our mental health just as much as our physical bodies.
To Wrap it Up…
Community college is not a setback; it’s not a school for “dumb kids”, and it’s not a bad spot to be. It’s a stepping stone to the next chapter of your higher education. Using cognitive behavioral tools, you can navigate challenges, help to manage self-doubt that may creep in, and also build your confidence and create your own path! Being able to recognize negative thoughts and change your mindset can make a huge difference in how you tackle adversity and deal with challenges.
After two years at my local community college, I transferred junior year to my first choice four year university. Looking back as I enter my senior year, I’m happy that I started at community college. It was the beginning of my academic journey and helped me to focus on myself, my family, and my aspirations. I hope with these tools you can find strength, purpose, and success on your path at CC!
