As a girl who in high school wouldn't even look at a small college I'd say I've come a long way. My Senior year of high school I was dead-set on going to a large D-1 college and there was no changing my mind, I wanted that "college experience" everyone always talked about and I didn't think I would get that somewhere that wasn't in the big twelve basically. So, just like I set out to do I attended Oklahoma State (GO POKES), but after one semester I realized large colleges weren't really all they were cracked up to be, yes I loved the atmosphere but I didn't belong there. So, I am here to tell you my three reasons to attend a smaller college.
1) It's easier to get connected at a small college.
My first year of college I had like 3 friends (maybe less), yeah I know it's sad. It was so hard to find a place where I fit in because there was so much going on around me. It was a constant battle of what organization would be the right match for me. But, once I transferred to a smaller college I was instantly connected, I wasn't scared to go through recruitment because 100 girls is a lot less intimidating than 500 and organizations were EVERYWHERE on campus and I mean EVERYWHERE. They all had booths and were out asking people to join or just socializing, this was such a new and refreshing atmosphere.
2) You see friendly faces everywhere you go.
At large colleges you can walk all the way across campus and not see one familiar face, but at smaller schools it's like you walk 5 steps and there's someone you know or at least have seen at an activity and they smile and wave and go about their day. Even though it's not a huge interaction where you talk about your lives it is so relaxing knowing someone everywhere you go.
3) Lectures are way smaller.
College, as much as some of us don't want to admit it, is not all about fun. We are all here for the same reason, an education and of course, lectures are the meat of an education. So walking into a lecture full fo 200 students can be intimidating, not only is it harder to set up study groups but it also, makes it more difficult for your professors to get to know you and trust me that is SO important. Professors are the ones that will be writing your recommendation letters if you want to go to grad school. They also control whether your grade goes from an 89 tp a 90 or stays an 89 at the end of the semester. Them knowing your name is a very important aspect of college. Smaller colleges give students more of an opportunity to get to know your professors and smaller lectures, (in my opinion), are way easier to pay attention during because there are much less distractions.
Large colleges definitely have their perks, who doesn't love a huge game day full of reporters ad crazed fans? But to me small colleges have so much to offer that I know I looked past starting out. Small colleges make you feel at home, like you're with your family and nothing could ever beat that. I for sure found my home at a Midwestern State University and I wish I had realized that a little earlier.
