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Elgin Community College student Stephanie Salgado, of Elgin, Ill., enrolled as a dual credit student with a nudge from her parents. “I took the chance, and I really enjoy it here,” she said. “I love it way more than high school, and I feel like I have gotten a head start since I now know what college is like.”

One of the most important decisions you’ll make in your college career is choosing your classes! Picking the right schedule can set you up for success, help you save money, and help reduce stress. Here are 5 things to consider when choosing your courses.

Elgin Community College (ECC) student Alyssa Vallie from Prospect Heights, Illinois, has dreamed of becoming a firefighter-paramedic since she was 15 years old. “I started as a lifeguard when I was 15, and that really got me interested in the EMS side.” Her passion grew even stronger after a family friend, a firefighter paramedic, let her try on his gear and SCBA (self-contained breathing apparatus); Vallie knew. “I got into the car with my mom [afterward] and told her ‘This is it.’” 

For many students, the journey from education to employment doesn’t follow a straight path, and that’s where Elgin Community College can help. Community colleges are built to bridge the gap between the classroom and the career world, offering practical, affordable, and accessible education that aligns directly with workforce needs.