Student in class
Everything in life is a tradeoff.
Some trade an apple for an orange at the lunch table.
Others trade a stick of celery for a friend’s cauliflower.
Some trade eight hours a day for a paycheck.
Others trade their time working to build their own business rather than working for someone else.
Some trade cash for a car.
Others trade a lender’s note with five years of interest to pay for the same car.
Life is all about tradeoffs. What are you willing to exchange for what you want?
We all have wants and needs, dreams, and desires. We all have to ask ourselves, “What are we willing to put in, in exchange, for what we want to get out?”
For some, a college degree seems unnecessary. For others, it’s the only way. And if college is an option, then you’re met with a plethora of choices, from staying local to going away, paying entirely out of pocket, or applying for financial aid to pay for college.
For some, college isn’t just about how much money they make after earning a degree. College might mean learning a valuable skill and embracing your gifts and interests to live a fulfilling life, even if it’s not a luxurious one. If college is about preparing you for a better-paying career, there are studies corroborating that a college education will pay more over your lifetime. For example, a Georgetown University study found that, on average, the median lifetime earnings for a bachelor’s degree are $964,000 more than those with only a high school diploma.
With community college, some might feel they’re going to give up too much of the college experience to save a few bucks. While others might feel they can give up some of the college experience to save more than a few bucks. At ECC, students, on average, save nearly $20,000 by completing their first two years and then transferring to a four-year institution. It’s about perspective.
For some, community college is an opportunity to jump right into leadership roles, such as student clubs and student government. While a larger school may feel overwhelming, a community college can offer students roles in student life and student government. As a freshman, you can find yourself jumping right in and getting involved in ways that are meaningful to your interests.
And by now, you’ve probably traded about two minutes of your time to read this short blog. A trade means you receive something in exchange. Hopefully, you’ve received a new perspective, reassurance in your decision, or confirmation that your tradeoff is worth it. Learn more about enrolling at ECC at elgin.edu.
