Small student to teacher ratios, required chapel credits and that one really beautiful building on campus, you know what I'm talking about if you go to a private, Christian college. It seems like everyone is a hipster, works at a summer camp or goes on mission trips all the time, and everyone loves Jesus. Something about the community of these schools just makes it hard to relate and connect to people who go to big universities. After watching "Harry Potter," it became crystal clear just how similar these small schools are to the greatest school, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
1. Everyone knows each other.
While you may not be as well-known as Harry Potter, if you go to a private Christian college, there's a good chance that you'll get to know everyone throughout your college career. With such a small student population, it's basically impossible to go unnoticed having classes, meals and living with so many people in such a small community. Embrace it and make a good first impression.
2. There is always that one family.
They may not all have flaming red hair like the Weasley's, but there is definitely that one family that goes to your school. Your parents went to school together, your older siblings and now you have all gone to school with this family. The heritage only further proves that your school is just that great.
3. Your professors know you on a personal level.
If you go to a private college, the inevitably small class numbers mean that you will get to know your professors really well, maybe not on the level of saving your life from Voldemort on a yearly basis personal but pretty close. Here, professors care about your well-being and your future and want to see you grow and succeed.
4. Your school is focused on teaching one fundamental aspect: The Gospel.
While Hogwarts teaches magic, your school teaches the Bible. God’s word is incorporated into every class, major and profession, and your professors want you to know that you can share the word of God through every aspect of your life.
5. You create relationships with the campus wildlife.
Whether it’s the local squirrels or the friendly forest centaurs, you can be sure to make relationships with the creatures on your campus. Good or bad, that’s up to you, but just try not to be the Neville of the group.
6. People are characterized by their colleges.
Every university has a number of colleges, each teaching different skills and full of different majors. Colleges of nursing, fine arts and ministry, all of them have characteristics that are unique to themselves, much like the houses of Hogwarts. I’m not saying ministry students are Gryffindors, but have you thought about it?
7. Getting mail is always an ordeal.
You may not get your mail delivered by an owl, and you may not get mail often. When you do get mail, it’s very exciting. Like a first year seeing the morning mail delivery for the first time, getting your first pink slip is an experience you look forward to and will never forget.
8. Your university’s president is a legend.
Maybe you don’t know them as personally as Harry knows Dumbledore, but to your school, the president of the university is the greatest. He has his own nickname and is a boss on social media, and if he’s cool enough, he’s made it onto t-shirts and is commonly referenced in any and all campus events. You may not see him very often, but he always has the wisest things to say when you need to hear them.
9. Your school has that one iconic building.
It’s probably a chapel. Like the Hogwarts castle, you can see it from miles away, and as soon as you do, you know you’re home. This beloved building is the optimal and most photogenic place for campus events, ceremonies and the ever-necessary Instagram picture.
10. Your school has weird traditions.
They may not be as life-threatening as the Tri-Wizard tournament or as annoying as the House Cup, but your school probably has some pretty unique and 100 percent weird traditions. Weird is good in a unifying way, right? At least, that’s what they tell me, after everyone chugs a gallon of whole milk while running two miles around campus at my school.
11. No one understands the “muggle” world.
Considering it’s a private, Christian campus, it’s safe to say that many students went to another private Christian school before coming to college. Because of this, all of us public school kids have experienced many things in school that private or homeschooled kids haven’t. Large school populations, more relaxed rules and bigger events are only some of these things. Unfortunately, some won’t even understand these "Harry Potter" references because they haven't even seen the movies.
12. It’s always hard to say goodbye.
After spending so much time making friends and creating special relationships with people over the course of a school year, saying goodbye for the summer is and always will be a struggle. When we get back to school next fall, you can bet your time will be just as magical.
