As a community college student, have you walked onto campus and wondered why it feels empty one moment and full of activity the next? College is not only about taking classes, but also about navigating loneliness. At a four-year university, there’s so much social connection, but being in community college, on the other hand, feels less like that.  

Community colleges offer students and families affordability, flexibility, and opportunities to learn and prepare for transfer. However, despite these benefits, some students say the commute, schedules, and limited campus life leave them isolated.

Anjali Romero, a Skyline College student, said that although students have different majors and goals, she feels we are more alike than what we expect.  

“I feel a sense of belonging at Skyline,” Romero said. “We share common ground as part of the campus community.”

Things outside of college take away from being more involved in the school, such as talking with classmates and professors and attending on-campus events, creating a sense of loneliness between the students attending the same campus.

“Based on the people I have met at Skyline, I think commuting and work schedules contribute the most to loneliness at community colleges,” Romero said. 

Romero also said incoming community college students should take advantage of college activities when they can. 

“(Do not) place heavy expectations on your social life when you enter community college,” Romero said. “Instead of expecting yourself to make time for every social activity and interaction that happens on campus, learn to enjoy what is possible with the circumstances you have.”

Cañada College junior Arielle Lyon said she feels disconnected from her classmates and community.  

“Most of the time I’m just trying to get in and out of my classes,” Lyon said. “I’ve rarely been in classes where there’s a strong community.”

Although Lyon said her STEM classes don’t foster community, her dance classes give her a sense of belonging in a more connected and close-knit environment. 

“It’s a lot easier to actually make friends and connect to people,” Lyon said. 

Lyon said commuting to school makes it harder for students to form friendships.

“That environment gives people less incentive to hang around after class and chit-chat,” Lyon said. “Most people bolt the minute class ends (including myself). There’s just less reason to be on campus.”

Cañada College student Sierra Orduna said loneliness affects students’ academic success. 

“If you are struggling to find a sense of belonging, you can become less motivated to go to class or finish your work, which impacts your academic performance,” Orduna said. 

Orduna also said students should not compare themselves to others on social media, though it gets to her at times.  

“Social media can be this big, scary presence that tells you that everyone else has found their place while you haven’t,” Orduna said. “Everyone is on their own path, and it’s okay to know that we will each experience higher education differently.” 

Although Orduna said leaving after class was “very easy,” students “have to make the effort” to find a sense of belonging.  

“Be on campus and get involved as much as possible,” Orduna said. “Stay longer and socialize if you want to find a community on campus.”

Cañada College student Vanessa Rivas said community colleges have fewer resources and events than four-year colleges, which makes students lonelier.

“There are more clubs for people to join and more similar age groups,” Rivas said. “At community colleges, there are more online and hybrid (classes than) in-person classes, … at a four-year university, (most) students live in dorms.”

Like Orduna, Rivas said she compared herself to her peers on social media.

“I get a feeling of missing out on the ‘college experience,” Rivas said. “I see people going to four-year universities and having more community.” 

Rivas still said she feels community at Cañada, but that ‘it’s not a very strong sense,’ and that it partly stems from how many different backgrounds and age groups take classes. 

“Not everyone gets along,” Rivas said. “But sometimes you really meet good friends.”