Tips for College Students – University Pros and Cons

Tips for College Students – Pros of Universities

A degree from a university means many things to different people. Only you can define the importance of a degree such as this would be to you. Only you can determine whether or not now is the time for you to pursue a university degree.

If you are unsure about how advantageous a university degree could be to your life, let’s look at some of the tips for college students’ views toward university pros compared to a community college education.

Money

The first obvious advantage of a university education would be in future earnings potential. A four-year degree trumps a two-year degree almost every time. There would have to be exceptional circumstances for someone with a two-year degree to earn more over the course of a lifetime than someone with a four-year degree in the same exact field.

While a degree does not guarantee employability, it does improve the odds as well as the income potential that is associated with the field you are entering into. If you have a two-year degree the decision to continue your educational pursuits can be a tough one but it is well worth the effort in the end.

Housing

This is another distinct advantage that universities offer over community colleges. In fact, many universities are now offering housing opportunities to students with families, in addition, to those students who have no families. Colleges and universities are offering various kinds of value when it comes to housing and meal plans. A great deal of the college experience is missed when you do not live on campus. For this particular reason, students wishing to enjoy the experience that dorm life provides often consider universities over community colleges.

Diversity

This is another key component that is often missing at the community college level. International students find no real price breaks between universities and community colleges, so they tend to opt for the housing and cultural atmosphere that universities present, rather than going with the limiting educational, residential, and cultural experience offered by many community colleges.

You will find students of different races, religions, cultures, and nationalities on the university level-far more than will typically be seen in a community college, unless, you are attending a community college in a very culturally diverse city, such as New York City.

Culture

This is something that is often lacking on the community college level, as community colleges are largely commuter campuses. You will not see quite the opportunity to experience art, music, theater, and other wonderful experiences that universities pride themselves in offering to their students.

There is nothing quite like the cultural offerings of most large universities, and if you get the opportunity, I hope you will take the time to stop and experience some of the wonderful things that being in a university community present you with an opportunity to experience.

Research opportunities

On a university level, you will have the opportunity to participate in research projects with certain professors if you prove yourself worthy and express a strong interest.

This is something that isn’t as likely on the community college level, as most professors in a community college are dedicated to teaching rather than research. You will find that the experience of working on a large-scale research project is unlike anything you are likely to experience again if you ever get the chance.

Confidence

There is nothing quite like a college degree from a university to help you become a more confident person both, personally and professionally. Confidence in yourself can’t be achieved on the community college level but can only be experienced by getting a degree from a university.

If you lack confidence when dealing with others or in your career, I hope that you will find that your university education is the answer to help you feel more confidence on all levels of your life.

These are just a small sampling of the many benefits of attending a university over a community college education. I hope you will carefully consider the pro’s when making your decision about which is best for your personal educational needs.

Community Colleges vs. University: https://www.educationcorner.com/community-college-vs-university.html

Tips for College Students – University Cons

We have discussed some of the wonderful advantages that university life and education present. However, we must in turn discuss some disadvantages that are associated with university learning, as well. While we discuss these, you should keep in mind that they do not by any means indicate that you should give up on your higher educational goals. Only that you should view your educational process with realistic expectations. Let’s look into some of the tips for college students’ university cons.

When compared with the community college system, the very first and most distinctive disadvantage that comes to mind is the high cost of upper education on the university level. Community colleges are simply more cost effective than universities.

Cost

The costs go well beyond the amount of money that would be spent on room and board, making the tuition expense alone, cost prohibitive in many cases. While there are many types of financial aid available to students, the vast majority of college students in this country make ends meet through the use of student loans. Student loans must be paid at quite a hefty interest rate, in order to cover the costs associated with university expenses.

4 Advantages of a Community College Over a University: https://www.discover.com/student-loans/college-planning/prep/applications/advantages-community-college-vs-university

Class Size and Student-to-Teacher Ratio

Beyond the one obvious disadvantage, there are a few other disadvantages that bear mentioning in this particular circumstance. First of all, universities do not have the small intimate classroom settings that literally set community colleges apart.

In fact, for lower level courses, most universities offer large auditorium classes that are taught by graduate students rather than professors. And, more often than not, the students never get to know those who are charged with their education, other than a nod and smile while passing in the halls.

This method for learning is considered by many to be exceptionally inferior, and the statistics prove that students who go straight into a four-year college environment rather than going through a community college first are far less likely to complete their degrees.

If that isn’t enough of a disadvantage, many people find that the impersonal atmosphere of most universities is quite limiting when it comes to interaction with other students.

The smaller classroom environment of community colleges, invite interaction between the students in the class. An open line of communication within the classroom is greatly preferred to having so many students that no one gets a voice or the ability to voice their opinions or personal experiences when it comes to certain topics.

Community Colleges vs Universities: https://www.collegeatlas.org/community-college-benefits.html

Large Campus

Another disadvantage to university life, is the sheer size of university campuses. Community colleges tend to be much more compact. This means that students have a fairly decent chance of making it to all classes on time and without the worry of walking 2 miles in ten minutes.

While this is great for physical fitness, missing the first ten minutes of class each week can limit the educational process that your university experience should be providing. It seems like such a small thing on one hand, but when you are hauling around a day’s worth of textbooks and a laptop–that hike can be the one reason that makes or breaks the grade.

While there are a few distinctive disadvantages to university life, the fact remains that graduation from a university is the single biggest way to increase your earning potential over the course of your lifetime. The amounts are by no means insignificant.

Tips for College Students – University Pros and Cons

I highly recommend, whenever possible, that you attend a community college for the first two years of your college education. Beyond that, I strongly urge you to consider the value that completing your education and getting a four-year degree can provide.

If you wish to build self-confidence, earning potential, and job security, there is no way of doing so that is superior to getting a four-year degree. It doesn’t matter where you are in life or your career; it is never too late to begin getting your education. Hopefully, you can take some of these tips for college students – University Pros and Cons, to help sift through your decision. There are so many things in the world that a good education could open your eyes to, in addition to the doors of opportunity a four-year degree will open.

College Fairs: What College Should I Go To? https://tipstostartingcollege.com/college-fairs-what-college-should-i-go-to/