Going to Community College? Here's Some Advice from a Current Student!

Belen has been at a community college for 2 years now and is on track to transferring to Fresno State this fall and double majoring in Criminal Justice and Spanish and considering a minor in Sociology. 


ME: Do you believe community college was a good choice for you? why?

BELEN: For me it was a good choice. It gave me the opportunity to grow up more, and take my education more seriously. I wasn't ready to leave home right after high school, but now I'm more than ready to leave.


ME: What is a positive about going to community college? What is a negative aspect of community college?

BELEN: A positive about community college is that it allows you to mature and to realize what you really want. And you save a LOT of money, on books, tuition and housing. A negative may be is that if you don't take it seriously you will get stuck at AHC and not want to continue to a 4 yr.


ME: What type of programs are helping you stay on track with transferring?

BELEN: The types of programs that helped me stay on track were CAN (it is like AVID), and the Achieve Program which certain students are chosen from the SB Scholarship Foundation. Also, talking to a counselor and going to a transfer counselor too. That is a MUST!


ME: Any other advice you would like to give to students who will be attending Community College next year?

BELEN: Take it seriously. At the beginning it may seem as high school, but once you begin to mature you will see how serious and crucial it is to stay on track if a person wants to transfer to a 4 yr. and go talk to a counselor ASAP!! They will give you a student plan in which shows what classes you need to take and it plans it by semester.