Plan ahead. Transferring from a university to a small community college can be very stressful if you wait to the last minute. Gather accurate information regarding various community colleges and how they relate to your choice of a career. You need to know what you want to accomplish in order to pick the appropriate community college. If you want a career in carpentry, for instance, then you will choose a school with concentrated degrees in this area.
Research the community college you want to attend. Two things to consider are the accreditation and reputation of the institution. An accredited college is recognized as legitimate by an accreditation organization. As far as reputation, find out the number of students who have graduated from this particular college and who have gone on to develop outstanding careers. You don't want to waste time and money on an inferior educational program.
Understand the transferring process. Check to see if the community college has a transfer agreement with the institution you are leaving. This is important because you must consider what type of courses that will transfer to a community college. Most courses are of three types, including general education courses, elective courses and specific major courses. If you are not considering changing your major altogether, selecting a community college that will accept your completed courses will save you money and time as you get closer to your degree.
Consult a good advisor, after you have picked a community college, to assist you in selecting the right courses for your chosen career. An advisor can tell you exactly what you need in order to graduate at a specific time. Advisors also are able to provide information on special programs such as scholarships and grants needed to fund a college education. Working consistently with an advisor is vital to your educational progress.