Eleven years ago, I left the traditional high school setting to complete my diploma and earn an associate’s degree through a program at my local community college. I never imagined what a profound role the college would play in my young adulthood. With its vaguely Brutalist cinderblock structures, endless parking lots, and discreet nature trails, where more scandalous activities took place, the campus became a second home.
From sixteen to twenty, I racked up countless credit hours while encountering places and faces that still linger in my dreams. The community college served as the backdrop for my first-ever relationship, the breakup of that relationship, and an even more horrific friendship breakup. I entered as a naive and doughy teen and left as a slightly more polished, but still profoundly jejune young woman. I had taken courses ranging from video production to improvisational acting, which would do little to serve my eventual career but ultimately shaped my impression of the greater world awaiting me off campus.
You’d think that after milking almost 100 free credit hours out of the high school program, I’d have found plenty of closure. Alas, in my late twenties, the desire to learn something new at a reasonable price overtook me. Feeling stunted by my teaching career, I returned to community college and, for the first time, put my own money toward studying something that genuinely excited me.
Starting from square one and rebuilding my career would have seemed daunting to my younger self, especially when I was constantly and savagely comparing myself to my peers. At this point in my life, it feels surprisingly refreshing.
Returning with newfound confidence and better dress sense has made community college much more enjoyable and rewarding the second time around, although there are still new challenges to navigate. Being the only woman in my Scriptwriting for Broadcast class means navigating a room dominated by sports talk, frequent interruptions, and the occasional invasion of personal space, which I now have the nerve to shut down right away. Pursuing a new career also means practicing patience and learning how to participate fully among a new academic cohort.
To keep up my endurance, I’ve found ways to “romanticize” the experience of being a community college student, making each day on campus feel like a small adventure.
Since the pandemic, there has been lots of online discourse about “romanticizing one’s life,” particularly its more mundane details. The idea often appears alongside nostalgic video edits that capture the simple, fleeting beauty of the 2010s. Returning to campus has triggered that same sentimentality in me.
I now see the open-concept campus, winding hallways, dimly lit student center, and notorious coffee bar through a rose-colored lens. It all feels as if it could fit among the sun-drenched shots of Tuscan-style interiors from an episode of Gossip Girl or Pretty Little Liars. I could even imagine making a video called “Going Back to Community College, but in a Tuscan Mom Way.” While I’m not going quite that far, I do want to share a brief guide to how I’ve channeled this nostalgia into a community college experience that feels cozy, a little chic, and as studious as ever.
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1. Curating an Outfit I’m Excited to Wear
It sounds simple, but it’s easy to give up on personal presentation halfway through a semester, when things get busy and the weather turns dreary. I’ve begun treating the community college campus as my personal runway. Taking time to put together a thoughtful look helps me feel confident and like the main character of my own story.
I’m excited to share my first batch of campus outfit photos in a separate post soon.
2. Embracing the Campus as My Own Personal Neighborhood
Something special about community college is that it really is an incredibly welcoming little community. Learning the campus and getting to know the familiar cast of characters who bring it to life is a great way to immerse yourself in the setting.
It’s nice to grab a coffee from the student center and greet the barista by name. It also helps me feel as though I’m living inside one of my comfort shows.
3. Finding Cute Study Spots
This was one of my strengths when I was on campus as a high schooler. I was always searching for nooks and crannies where I could hide out between classes and knock out homework assignments.
Each building has multiple sitting areas, but my favorite is on a tucked-away second floor of the industrial education building. It has a lovely glass ceiling and makes a perfect study location on a cold winter day. There are also plenty of charming places to sit outside when it’s sunny. I love reading next to a tree in the green area and feeling mysterious.
4. Letting Go of the Fear of Being Perceived
When I was younger, I walked around campus feeling as though I was constantly being watched. I was even afraid to raise my hand in class for fear of judgment.
Now, I’m fully embracing a community that meets learners at their level. I no longer worry about asking a silly question because I know my professors are there to help. It’s a privilege to expand my education, and I want to take full advantage of the resources available to me.
This has also been important when I’m taking pictures on campus and using my tripod. I remind myself that anyone who may judge me is unaware of my goals or passions and is probably on a different path altogether. Worrying about what they might think doesn’t serve me.
5. Grabbing a Coffee
It’s another simple but effective way to add a little glamour to campus life. I appreciate the inconspicuous, unbranded cups used by the campus café. A drink in hand is the perfect accessory to an academic outfit and the perfect pick-me-up before class.
If you’re thinking about returning to school to explore a new interest or career, I highly recommend browsing your local community college’s catalog. Community college is affordable and friendly, and it gives you the chance to write an entirely new story for yourself.
Eleven years after I first wandered these halls, the campus itself hasn’t changed much. The cinderblock buildings are still severe, the coffee cups are still unbranded, and the parking lots are still endless. What has changed is the woman walking through them. This time, I’m not waiting to discover who I’m supposed to become. I’m choosing the outfit, asking the question, setting up the tripod, and directing the story myself.