Choosing a university is a long and difficult process but once you find the right one it is the best feeling. There are big and small universities but you have to see what size is best for you. There are perks to both large and small universities, and there are also disadvantages. Here is some benefits that I know from personal experience of a small university.
1. You know a lot of people.
Walking from class to class there is always a familiar face to say hi to. Not to mention, knowing all these people comes in handy when you need help on assignments. Everyday you will see the same people walking from class to class and before you know it you will be waving to them as you pass by.
2. You get to know your professors.
You are not just a number to your professors, they all know your name. When your professor knows your name and face it is a lot easier to ask for help and to go into their office hours and ask them any questions you have without having to schedule an appointment.
3. Small Lecture Halls.
You’ll never get nervous to raise your hand and ask a question in a lecture with 600 people because at most you’ll have 30 people in your lecture hall. This also means your professor will be able to call on you by name and answer all your questions right there in class instead of having to meet with them later on.
4. You can get up 5 minutes before class.
You don’t have to get up 30 minutes before class just to catch a bus because all of your classes are about five minutes to walk to. That means when you have that 8 a.m. class that you dread going to in the morning, you can wake up at 7:55 and still make it to class on time.
5. If you play sports, you get to actually play.
You are unlikely to be a benchwarmer your first year of college. Since there aren't 50 or more people on the team, you will have a good chance to actually play as a freshman. Not to mention you will easily be able to move onto the varsity team in a couple of years.
6. More scholarship opportunities.
Smaller universities offer more scholarship opportunities than a larger university because they recognize you for more than just academics or sports. Since fewer students attend the university, they can give out more scholarships to students.
7. Easy to get involved.
Despite the size of the school there are still a multitude of clubs and organizations to get involved with. You can also start your own club or organization very easily. Not to mention this will help you meet new people for future employment connections.
8. Learning communities.
Being in a learning community benefits students because it starts off your first semester of college on a strong note by having a group to discuss questions you may have about classes and the university. Since you have these select people in a lot of your classes you will soon find yourself hanging out after class and becoming friends outside of class.
9. Weather is never an issue but rain boots are a must!
Whether it is raining or snowing, a small campus has many buildings you can duck into while walking to your next class. Even if that occasional flash flood does happen you aren't walking in it for too long. Even though you can jump into a building if you need to, rain boots are still essential.
10. You won’t get lost!
With everything in such close quarters, after the first day you already know where to go. All halls and buildings are clearly marked and if you do get lost you can easily ask an upperclassmen and they will point you in the right direction.
A university is a university, no matter how small.
