Liz Addison's Two Years Are Better Than Four

In Liz Addison’s article “Two Years Are Better than Four”, she questions the American historian/journalist’s, Rick Perlstein’s, opinions on the up and coming modern college experience. In his opinion piece, Perlstein insinuates that the introspection aspect of college is just not valued by students any more. Addison repudiates Perlstein’s remarks, stressing that, “Mr. Perlstein…would never think to look for himself in the one place where the college experience of self-discovery does still matter to those who get there.” (256). That place being community college. The very word community college is laughed at and discredited as a waste of time and money compared to a four-year university, but Addison advocates that community college builds the …show more content…
Addison emphasizes, “The philosophy of the community college…is one that unconditionally allows its students to begin. Just begin.” (256). The essence of the authors argument is that community colleges do not expect you to already know all your weaknesses and strengths and be able to discern a career from them, instead that is what you are there for; to simply find what you enjoy doing and excel at. In contrast, there is intense pressure within universities from teachers and peers to restrain yourself to a certain area of study in order to succeed. Receiving this kind of pressure in an academic setting can be exhausting and do considerable harm to your studies and even your health. While attending my community college I have rarely suffered any school-related stress unless I put myself in the position where I am open to it, like procrastinating. These two-year colleges plainly offer students the ability to let go of the academic regulations and restrictions and do what they are fond …show more content…
It is common knowledge that going to a university is not something to look forward to financially even for well-off families. After reading an article in the New York Times about a college application essay workshop for low-income families, Addison was “strangely disturbed that those interviewed made no mention of community college.” (257). Seeing how most community colleges are far more affordable than universities, students with financial issues would benefit from trying out a community college instead of a university. My mother, coming from a low-income family, would have profited greatly from attending community college instead of suffering the years of debt that come with a university education. Addison continues further that, “For some students, from many backgrounds, would never breathe the college experience if it were not for the community college.” (258). In other words, Addison is acknowledging that four-year universities are not an option for many people, but through community college people in difficult situations are able to seek a higher education through community college. It supplies the closeness to home and accessible parental support many new students