There were a few months left of high school when I saw a tribute to those who had been accepted to prestigious colleges on the bulletin boards in our school hallways.

I couldn’t help but feel worthless when I had decided to go to a community college. My name wasn’t up on that board and I didn’t want people to know where I was going. I was Vice President of my school and a proud member of the student government for the majority of time I was in high school, but when people asked me where I was going for college, my ego shrunk to the size of a ball and rolled off the face of this earth.

I knew it would cost less attending community college but I wanted nothing more than to be proud of the college I was attending. I wanted to flaunt the apparel, pledge a sorority, attend college football games, fall in love and roll around in campus paradise. It was an expensive dream.

Benefits of attending Community College

Not only is community college affordable, but I’ve had some incredible professors bless me with their presence, opening my eyes to things that peaked my interest (and others maybe not so much). Attending community college in the Financial District kept me grounded but exposed me to competition and taught me the importance of hustling.

Where you graduate from is important, but as a business student it makes no sense for us to pay quadruple for the same classes,  given the option to pay less. One of the smartest things I’ve learned was let go of my ego – it’s saved me amounts I couldn’t afford then and can’t afford now.

1] Affordability and completing the basics

What it comes down to is simple math. Do you choose to pay $4,000 for an English 101 class or $700 for the same accredited course? Because quite frankly, everyone in college spends their first two years completing similar, if not the same, basic courses.

So why do we continue inviting this financial burden upon us? Is going to an expensive school really the only way to “invest in our education”?

The question appears simple but everyone faces different tradeoffs.

I would argue that a typical 18-year-old student attending an expensive university surrounded by students the same age is unconcerned with how to write a proper resume, attending networking events, and preparing for what comes post-graduation. I will, however, say with extreme confidence that this student is proficient in Edward 40 Hands and Flip Cup. You can’t put a price on self investment.

2] No real world escape

Attending a Community college doesn’t provide you with a protective blanket from society, a nice gated community, a welcome sign and a meal plan.

In reality, walking to class, homeless people have spit next to my feet and sometimes I go days strictly eating dollar pizza and street meat to save money. Attending a community college exposed me to the real world and pushed me to work harder to prove to myself that if I worked hard enough – ultimately anything was possible.

I spent my time interning for different companies, learning how to speak to people professionally, working with teams and developed skills to better myself in my professional career.

Unfortunately, graduating with a degree is not enough – and I’ve seen it time and time again. College graduates skip home smiling nonchalantly waving their degree in the air – little do they know, the real work has just begun.

3] Smaller classes and focused faculty

As Texas Southmost College explains, not only are your classes smaller if you go to a community college, enabling one on one help, but the professors might actually know your name! Smaller classes provide an atmosphere that enable you to ask questions, get answers and speak with your peers. Trust me, there is a difference between a lecture hall and a classroom. Texas Southmost explains how frequently professors at larger universities will stray away from spending time with students in order to continue conducting research or publishing a textbook.

4] Finding your interest

In a community college, you find people who are just like you. They are lost and don’t know why they’re there. Others frolic around because it costs nothing to attend – shout out to FAFSA! So, there is this eclectic group of students around the same age – but we’ve all got something in common. We’re struggling to understand who we are, what the world is and what will make us happy. For me, there is absolutely no reason to attend an expensive school (at least for your first two years), to find your niche. Community college provides a range of cheap classes, allowing you to explore different topics of study from professionals in your field(s) of interest.

Invest in yourself and let go of your ego. Your “education” is what you make of it. Do good business for yourself now – your future self will thank you later.