Brookdale Student Defends the Community College Experience

I used to be one of them.
 
Brookdale Community College is some place were high school screw-ups go, using the whole 'its cheaper than a four-year school' plan.
 
Yup, I used to think that, too.
 
In high school, I honestly didn't care for much. I would do my homework, sure, but it was a struggle to keep a 'C' average in most classes, simply because I didn't want to put forth the work in class.

While my teachers frowned upon it, they always told me Brookdale would be a good option for me. Certainly, none of those teachers would hold any future expectations for me, especially at Brookdale.
 
Heck, all I knew about that place was that it was a two-year school, someplace near Red Bank.
 
At the persistence of my mother, I signed up for the early-bird registration, signing up for classes in May of last year for last fall (2010). Upon my arrival to sign up for classes, my opinion of Brookdale changed instantly.
 
The guidance counselors were exactly everything that high school counselors aren't — they provided me with the material I would need to succeed. They alerted me that Brookdale was a place where I could do well, but that was entirely up to me.
 
Same for my classes. Some were tough. There were weekly tests, weekly papers, and up to 50 pages to read and analyze each week. Some students dropped out while others excelled.
 
Fast forward to now. Almost all of my friends who have gone away to four-year schools hate it. Some hate dorm life. Others hate being away from families. And some don't even know what they want to do.
 
Now, I love Brookdale. I love the professors, everything it has to offer, and I am proof that if you want to work, things can go well for you. After one semester, I have become the prestigious sports editor for The Stall (Brookdale's paper), I worked closely with the experimental unit here to work for an internship with ESPN, MSG and other mutliple news outlets. I also made the Dean's List for the fall semester —  something no one ever thought would or could be done.
 
Not to mention, with the money saved from attending Brookdale, I have been able to work full time as a sports reporter for Patch. I have been working there for over a year, and now on pretty much a daily basis. Last month, I bought a new car after saving enough money to replace my beat-up 1997 Honda Accord.
 
Because of my success at Patch, I have been asked to speak at a meeting for journalism majors on Mar. 24 about my experiences in the field. Still, when I tell friends of my accomplishments as a Jersey Blue, they usually laugh, acting as if it's easier to get an A at Brookdale than Monmouth or Rutgers. Why? Brookdale professors are professors, after all.
 
Certainly, that same reputation will be swimming around Brookdale for a long time to come. People will think it's a bad place, and even be ashamed to be here. But, I kid you not, before you think about how horrible it is to live at home and go to community college, remember that hard work is admired everywhere — especially here.
 
Work hard, and you will go places. Oh, and be sure to ask for some help here. These people are professionals, after all.