Whether you're in high school deciding what schools you want to apply to or you're in college already, school size can definitely be a factor in your college experience. Depending on your personality, your major, and a whole lot of other factors, size can matter. Or not. Here are just a few pains and perks of going to a small school:
1.
PAIN: Classes are so small that you can't skip
You don't have the luxury of a 500-person lecture hall to hide in the back of. You can definitely tell when one out of the 15 students in your class is missing.
PERK: You can't skip class
Not being able to skip class means you actually learn the material you're studying AND you'll be able to form relationships with your professors (hello letters of rec.?).
2.
PAIN: You WILL run into the person you hooked up with last night
Whether you want to or not, the campus is too small to not run into the people you really don't want to.
PERK: You'll run into the person you think is super cute
Knowing this, you can dress to impress without your effort going to waste.
3.
PAIN: Overcrowded central areas
Big schools have big campuses with multiple libraries, cafeterias, and other common areas. Chances are your small school only has one library, or one dining hall. This means during traditional meal times, midterms, and finals week, you better not need a coveted space in a cubicle or a last minute sandwich.
PERK: Going to the library, the cafeteria, or any central area becomes a social event, even if you started out solo
Never are you forced to sit through a meal alone if you don't want to.
4.
PAIN: Small campus and potentially no "college town" in the surrounding area
Sometimes you wish you went to a school with one of those classic surrounding neighborhoods filled with cute little restaurants, bars, and shops all geared towards students.
PERK: Running late is never an issue
Alarm goes off 10 minutes late? No problem. It takes me approximately 8 minutes to walk from one end of campus to another.
5.
PAIN: When you tell people where you go to school it's normally followed by, "Ohhh...where is that?"
Most people haven't heard of your school. If they have, it's probably because their neighbor's kid or maybe their third cousin went there, and so they've only heard bits and pieces about it. You're left to answer the same questions over and over again, about where it is, what it's like, and who exactly went there that they might recognize.
PERK: You get to brag about your school to anyone who asks
As annoying as it is to explain where your school is and why you chose it over and over again, when someone discovers (and then chooses to go to or consider) your school because of the way you talked about it, it's pretty cool.
6.
PAIN: No big sports teams/tailgates
Considering that some colleges have smaller student bodies than large high schools, the entire school can often fit in a gym, making filling an entire stadium an impossible feat. While there still may be great sports teams to rally around, the odds are substantially less that you will experience the same super spirited tailgates and game days as the larger universities.
PERK: Smaller get-togethers
There might not be giant tailgates, but instead we get wine nights and "Gossip Girl," kickbacks with our best friends, and all in all, some pretty great nights with pretty great people.
7.
PAIN: Can't walk around in central areas in your PJs because you definitely will see people you know
Once again, campus is small. If you're headed out to grab a late night snack and you're already in your PJs, you probably will run into the cute guy from math class.
PERK: It's college. Walk around in your PJs anyways.
Hater's are gonna hate, but at least you're comfy.
8.
PAIN: Everyone knows everything
Seriously. Everything.
PERK: You'll get close to your classmates very quickly
Ok, so maybe your 11-person political science class seemed realllly small at first, but at the end of the course you'll leave with at least a few new friends. After all, you spent all of that time talking to each other.
9.
PAIN: Chances are your friend is going to date or hook up with someone you've dated or hooked up with
There are only so many people to go around...chances are there's going to be some overlap.
PERK: A little ways down the line you'll have someone to reminisce about "that one time.." with.
Someone who actually gets it. I mean we've still got to work by a code here...certain people are off limits, but the rest of them can be a funny story you'll tell to your children one day.
10.
PAIN: Less class selection
The course list will probably not be as extensive as one at a large university.
PERK: Easier to get classes
Okay, so maybe you won't get to take underwater basket weaving. But on the bright side, you'll be more likely to get the classes you need to graduate on time while still managing to dabble in a few creative electives.
Ultimately, it's up to you to make the most of whatever school you're at. Whether you can totally relate to the struggles of a small-school student or you're at a big university trying to see how the other half lives, college is truly the best four years of your life.
