When beginning my journey toward a degree, I had no idea where to start. Like many young adults I visited a variety of universities, yet none of them seemed to fill my needs. I was a little frustrated, and extremely confused.

I will admit, I was looking for a lot within a university. I knew that I was going to spend thousands of dollars on my degree and be hundreds of miles away from home. I was dedicated to find the college that matched my expectations.

It wasn’t until I was just about ready to quit my search that I found Ivy Tech Community College.

Ivy Tech provided me everything that I wanted from a university: low tuition, short daily commute, and a variety of degrees to choose from. Although I didn’t know what I wanted to do, I knew that community college was for me.

In the back of my mind I had millions of unanswered questions, as most students do! I wasn’t sure on my degree direction, what experience I would have, and how I could make it work with my schedule. Today I will share with you what I wish I knew about community college when I first began my journey.

1. The professors are fantastic

I will be the first to say that the professors at Ivy Tech are superb, but I will admit, I was extremely hesitant!

There is a stigma out there about the quality of professors at community colleges, but I’ve loved every professor that I’ve had. They were supportive, and dedicated to spending the majority of their time making sure we were successful in each of our assignments. From being attentive to emails, to providing us all of the necessary materials to be successful, they were there to help.

Any student will say that they’ve had a favorite professor that they’ve encountered, but I can say that all of the professors that I have had have provided me a quality experience that made me want to never leave the classroom.

2. You get more than you pay for

Community college tuition is extremely inexpensive, and for somebody who was unsure about their degree path, that was perfect for me. I knew that it was possible that I would change my degree path, and community colleges offer so many paths for students to take.

When I say “you get more than you pay for,” I really mean it. You not only get an inexpensive tuition with fantastic professors, but you also get a chance to find your path. If it wasn’t for Ivy Tech, I’m not sure I would’ve ever found it.

3. Think you’re too busy to attend college? Think again!

From the minute I graduated high school I’ve had a full-time job. Anybody who works full-time and attends college will say the same thing, it’s not easy. However, I can tell you from personal experience, it’s possible.

Ivy Tech made it possible for me, as well as thousands of others to work full-time and graduate with your degree. It’s vital to attend school with understanding faculty, and Ivy Tech offered me just that.

If you’re contemplating whether or not attending community college is for you—do it! I promise you won’t regret it. With experienced faculty, great tuition rates, and flexible schedules, earning your degree is possible.