By Cathy J. Smillie and
Mary K. Miller

You may have heard this question a number of times – from counselors, your parents, even your friends: “Why aren’t you going to college?”

According to LaDonna Goodson, director of CVCC's admissions, counseling services and cooperative education, there may be a number of reasons for putting off your education, including time and budget constraints, family responsibilities, poor academic performance, even lack of confidence.

She says that some people are convinced they can't go to college because they have to work. They think they need to start school with a complete load of courses and don't think of taking one class to start off. Often, they're unsure about financial aid and don't know where to seek out the information to make an informed decision.

“It's easy for those who weren't all that successful in high school to focus on those past academic failures rather than look to the future,” says Goodson. “College is an entirely different environment, one where you are in the driver's seat.”

LaDonna Goodson, director of admissions and counseling services at CVCC, works closely with students who are nervous about their ability to succeed in college. After taking just one class, she says most of their fears are put to rest.

Not ready for college?

Goodson often sees parents who come in with a son or daughter about to finish high school wondering if their child is ready for a four-year college. In still other cases, mom and dad are providing all the motivation. Goodson often recommends counseling for the young person separate from his or her parents. This helps the students assess their career interests and begin to look at where they are in their lives and where they want to go.

Going it alone

If you've moved out and are living on your own, the prospect of college presents a whole new set of challenges.

“These people are working to support themselves,” Goodson says, “but they reach a point where they realize they're not getting ahead. I suggest they enroll in one or two classes to put some balance into their lives. Sometimes taking just one class – meeting other people, being regarded as an adult learner, and learning something new – often sparks their interest and gives them the confidence to go on.” CF

COMMON EXCUSES FOR NOT GOING TO COLLEGE AND REASONS WHY
THEY SHOULDN'T STOP YOU

My grades aren't good enough for college
North Carolina community colleges have an open door policy. That means you're admitted regardless of your academic standing. Special courses are even offered to prepare you for college-level studies. Community colleges take you where you are and get you where you need to be academically.

I can't afford it
Not if you start at CVCC! Compared to the average state four-year university, community college tuition costs about half as much. If you're still living with mom and dad, think of the room and board you'll save.

There is a lot of financial aid available to help you pay for college, too. Students who qualify can take advantage of scholarships, grants, loans and work-study opportunities. Financial aid may be

applied to such things as tuition, books, equipment, child care, transportation and living expenses.

I think college may be too difficult for me
Not if you are willing to work hard. Thousands of students graduate from college every year, and chances are many of them were afraid college would be too difficult for them – but they made it in spite of their fears!

Once you're enrolled, you can take advantage of the Learning Assistance Center where you can get free one-on-one tutoring in nearly any subject.

either. But there are a slew of resources to help you figure things out. The Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes a handbook that gives projections for more than 200 occupations so you can see which jobs are most likely to be in demand.

Career planning offices help students make career changes and career decisions through self-paced interest testing, career related e-books and one-on-one counseling.

There is no way I can go to college full time
So go part time! CVCC offers classes you can attend in the evening or on the weekends. Plenty of students complete their degree by attending part time. Opportunities for distance learning and Internet courses abound. Taking one or two classes will get you back in the swing of studying. Who knows? It might

even prepare you to take the plunge into full-time student status!

I am too old to go to college
As they say, “You are never too old to learn.” The average age of a CVCC student is 28, which means there are plenty of students who are older or younger. Recent statistics from the Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Education show that adult students are the fastest growing educational demographic. Almost 40 percent are over 25 (with an average age of 30) and these numbers are steadily increasing..CF