As a small, private, university student, there are several things I wish I had known about going to college in general and to a small school in general. Small universities are much different than larger schools, especially state schools, just because of the amount of students. Here are my best nuggets of advice for incoming freshmen, future freshmen, or anyone else still at a smaller college.
1. Come up with a four year plan with your advisor.
This tip will help you when you're trying to save thousands of dollars in student loans by graduating in four years instead of five. If you map out every class you're taking, every semester, for the full four years, you won't have to worry about what to register for at enrollment time. Some classes are only offered every other year or on certain semesters. This also leaves you room to work during the summers to save up some money instead of squeezing in classes (to graduate in time) or to take classes to be ahead of schedule. Taking classes during the summer is always a good idea if you have the time and money to pay upfront at your local community college, but work if you want to save money.
2. Pick the smallest meal plan.
At my university, this gives me more spending money for snacks and Starbucks in our snack shop. You also will eat at your cafeteria less than you think, and picking the smallest meal plan will save you money in the long run. And if you're not sure on getting by with that few of meals, get the meal plan that is one tier lower than the one you want. Trust me, unless you're a morning person, you won't go to breakfast that much.
3. Use Amazon Prime for shipping.
The reason I say this: IT IS FREE!!! Let me repeat, it is free for college students!! You can get free two day shipping with Amazon Prime by signing up with your .edu email address. They'll have you confirm your account with an email, but then you're in! I use Amazon Prime for mostly textbooks, but it obviously works for other things you need fast (like class supplies, gifts for friends, and more). It's very convenient, and it always comes within two days. The prices are usually cheaper than going to the store too.
4. Rent your core class books.
And buy your major class textbooks. Why? Core classes are a one time deal that everyone has to take; you have no reason to keep those textbooks for future reference. Try to rent as many books as you can, because you'll never be able to sell your books back for the same price that you bought them (I learned this the hard way). Buy your major classes textbooks (if you want) because everything you learn towards your degree builds on itself and it might be nice to be able look back at them as a resource. You might also be able to sell these to the upcoming class in your major, because they most likely will use the same book.
5. Compare book prices on slugbooks.com
This is a lifesaving website that compares textbook prices across the main textbook websites (rent and buy). All you have to do is type in the ISBN or the title of the book you're looking for and BOOM! It has all the prices. The fastest way to find the exact book (edition/year/copy) is to copy the ISBN from your bookstore site. If you can't do that, use the title your professor provides and find it on Amazon, then copy the ISBN from there. And the prices are up-to-date. So checking it one day might change the next day you go on because the prices might go up or down on different sites.
6. Use ratemyprofessors.com
This is another wonderful website that warns you of the professors to stay away from, and fills you in on the professors you want to take. Look at the listings under your university or simply search their name to discover the glamorous and not-so-glamorous details about your professors. Then you can pick ones that cater to your learning style, stay away from ones that are rated poorly, and have a way to find out whether you need to switch classes ahead of time.
7. Take advantage of the professors.
That being said, they are here to help you. Since you are going to such a small school, the student to professor ratio is much lower than state colleges or larger universities. Professors are actually available, and they are willing to help you if you ask. Use this to your advantage to get help after class, and highlight their office hours on your syllabi. Speaking of syllabi, as soon as you get those things, write down every major test or project in your planner. That way, you don't have to worry about losing it, or worse, missing an important test that lowers your grade. One last protip: ask to go over tests you didn't do so great on. They love that you want to actually learn, and it will ultimately help you on the final.
8. Don't create or continue drama.
You have to see these people for the next four years. Don't mess up your relationships and make your walk across campus awkward. It's not worth it. Talk it out if you have a problem with somebody.
9. You don't receive your MRS degree first semester.
Yeah, yeah, ring by spring; everyone is getting engaged or married. That's not true! You need to focus on your relationships: with God, your family, your friends, and yourself before you can bring a spouse into the picture. Studying and doing your best at work is an easy way to keep your mind off finding a bae.
10. There is no such thing as casual dating.
Speaking of finding a bae, there's no such thing as casual dating on small campuses. You're seen once with a person of the opposite sex, alone, and suddenly talk of engagement is buzzing around campus. Everyone knows who's dating who, who is talking to who, and so on. So hang out in groups of at least three to play it safe or know that everyone will know when you and your babe have broken up. And keep in mind that when you date, the goal is marriage. So dating is going to end either way. Either in a breakup or marriage, so choose wisely. And if you breakup, then you'll have to see that person for the next few years on that seemingly shrinking campus.
11. Go to as many chapels as you can.
This piece of advice comes in handy when all you want to do at the end of the semester is literally nothing and taking a nap during chapel sounds heavenly. Go to chapel when you're tired, go when you don't "feel like it", and attend as many as you can to meet the requirement early on, so you can sleep later. You will not regret this later, when all you want to do it sleep before finals week or you're too sick to go to the last one.
12. Use the free gym membership.
And last, but not least, use the gym while you can. Usually every university has some kind of gym or workout center included in the cost of being a student. Use it!! After you graduate you'll have to pay for a membership no matter what, and it's a great way to stay in shape and keep off the Freshman 15. Speaking of the Freshman 15, the Sophomore 70 is not fake either. Don't drink soda and eat ice cream with every meal (I learned this the hard way).
