I have been a student at Sam Houston State University (SHSU) for three years. I struggled to choose a university, and I finally decided to attend SHSU, located in Huntsville, Texas, just two months before I graduated from high school. Choosing SHSU is by far one of the best decisions I've ever made. Here are 11 reasons why Sam Houston State University is the best place to attend school:

1. Huntsville, Texas, is undoubtedly one of the friendliest towns there is.

Huntsville, Texas, is home to some of the friendliest people there are. This is truly a college town, and everywhere you go you'll run into an acquaintance or a friend. It has a small-town feel with a few big-town amenities.

2. SHSU is rated as one of the safest colleges in the United States.

I know this doesn't come as a shock to y'all. After all, Huntsville is known as "prison city." Criminals are trying to run away from Huntsville, not commit crimes here.

3. Both campus and class sizes are small.

According to U.S. News and World Report, the average class size on the SHSU campus is between 20 and 50 students, with only 1 percent of classes having more than 100 students.This makes getting to know your professors much easier. Also, campus is small, which means you'll see familiar faces everywhere. This is something no huge campus can offer.

4. You aren't just a number.

You aren't just a number at SHSU; you are someone with great potential and most of the professors want to help shape you into the scholar you're meant to be. The professors here genuinely care about their students and love helping their students in pretty much any way they possibly can. I've been blessed with amazing professors who I know I will stay in contact with after I graduate, and I know many students feel the same way.

5. Huntsville is rich in history, and both the town and university do a great job of preserving this history for future generations.

The town was founded in 1835 and city officials have done their best to ensure that the history of Huntsville doesn't fade away in the midst of rapid growth. Perhaps one of the most essential places to visit in Huntsville, Texas, is the Sam Houston Memorial Museum. The museum, which is pictured above, is literally right across the street from campus and is owned by the university. This place is a "must visit" for any true Texan. The bottom picture is a picture of the "Steamboat House," the home that Sam Houston died in. The house is located on the museum grounds. Also, there is a lovely duck pond located on the museum grounds. It is a great place to relax on a sunny Saturday.

6. SHSU students have so much school spirit.

Sam students take pride in their school. I feel like a recruiter for the school because I always find myself promoting it to perspective students. For those of you who don't know, on Fridays, we wear orange.

7. SHSU was recently named #1 among Texas universities in job placement following graduation.

According to recent reports, Sam Houston State University was ranked as the top university in Texas as far as job placement for recent graduates goes. In the current job market, this is an extremely reassuring fact.

8. Campus is absolutely beautiful.

This campus, just like the town itself, is rich in history. From Peabody Library to Austin Hall (pictured above), the campus officials have done a fantastic job at preserving the past while struggling to keep up with a quickly growing student population. Austin Hall is a staple of the SHSU campus. The building was dedicated in 1851 with Sam Houston himself in attendance. According to the SHSU website, Austin Hall was first used in October of 1852 and "is the oldest continuously-used state-owned higher education facility west of the Mississippi." Also, it is always fun to hang out with the local chickens.

9. Sammypalooza brings in top musicians.

Sammypalooza is a free event for students hosted by the university that brings in big musicians for a yearly concert. From Josh Turner to Cassadee Pope (pictured above) and TI, Sammypalooza is a huge deal here at Sam. You'll see students lining up at the doors of the coliseum hours before the big event.

10. Our mascot hangs out around campus on the daily.

Sammy the Bearkat is alwayas hanging out around campus. It is pretty cool to be able to hang out with your mascot at any time.

11. Our namesake is a Texas icon.

Sam Houston's victory at the Battle of San Jacinto during the Texas Revolution ensured Texas' independence. Shortly after the end of the war, he became the first president of the Republic of Texas in 1836. He is truly a Texas hero. He died in Huntsville, Texas, and is buried just blocks away from campus. We love Sam Houston so much that we have a sixty-seven foot tall statue of him standing beside I-45.