| There are all kinds of college programs that are | | | | located in and around the college area in order to fill in |
| available today for those seeking higher education and | | | | the gaps. |
| degrees in a wide variety of fields. The problem often | | | | Some universities will even offer limiting housing |
| lies in finding the type of education that is appropriate | | | | opportunities to students who have spouses and |
| for your specific needs. | | | | children. While housing on community college is seen, |
| We all learn best through different methods and | | | | particularly in rural areas where there is limited housing |
| identifying your learning method is a great way to | | | | available in and around the schools, these are more |
| understand what learning environment will work best | | | | often the exception rather than the rule. |
| for you. | | | | Most community colleges are largely commuter |
| The common learning environments for college level | | | | campuses with very limited if any housing opportunities. |
| studies are the following: community colleges, | | | | Online and distance learning programs offer no housing |
| universities, and online or distance learning opportunities. | | | | to students. |
| Community colleges tend to offer smaller classrooms | | | | Another concern that most also be considered |
| with more discussion-oriented styles of learning and | | | | carefully is the distance between classes and any |
| discourse. | | | | special needs you may have. Universities tend to be |
| Universities tend to be more lecture oriented while | | | | large and spread out. It is quite possible to need to get |
| distance and online learning opportunities are quite | | | | from one end of campus to another (a mile or more in |
| often self-directed learning opportunities that require a | | | | some cases) with a 10-minute window in which to get |
| great deal of discipline in order to be successful. | | | | it done. |
| When trying to identify the college that will work best | | | | For students with special needs or physical disabilities |
| for you, you should keep in mind your personal learning | | | | this can be quite problematic, especially on days of in |
| style. Beyond that you should also consider the type of | | | | climate weather. Community colleges tend to have |
| environment you expect from your college education | | | | smaller campuses, which mean less real estate to |
| and the amount of time you wish to devote to the | | | | cover in between classes. |
| pursuit of your education and degree. | | | | Online and distance learning classes go with you |
| Some people find that university life is far too | | | | wherever you have access to a computer. This |
| distracting while others find that the solitude of online | | | | means that they are as portable as you need them to |
| and distance learning is a distraction in and of itself. | | | | be if you have your own laptop and wireless Internet |
| You will find all kinds of cultural opportunities at a | | | | access. |
| university that you will not find through home studies or | | | | You must consider all these things and so much more |
| on the community college level. For some students, | | | | when narrowing down your college choices. Do you |
| these opportunities are icing on the cake and an | | | | really want to take the personal responsibility required |
| important part of the learning experience as you delve | | | | in order to succeed in online and distant learning |
| into other cultures, art, music, and history. | | | | courses? |
| Others find these opportunities to be far too plentiful | | | | Do you want to be limited by the meager offerings of |
| and far too distracting for their study needs. | | | | coursework available at the community college level? |
| Whichever student you tend to be will make a huge | | | | Is it worth it to you to pay the high price involved in a |
| difference in the best situation for your learning needs. | | | | university education? These are all questions that you |
| Another important consideration is housing. Most | | | | need to consider carefully before making the decision |
| universities have ample on campus housing for their | | | | as to which college environment is the most desirable |
| students while a few campuses experience on | | | | for you. |
| campus housing shortages and rely on housing that is | | | | |