Choosing a college is one of the most important decisions you'll ever make. When it comes to your education, class size, major selections and even location can come into play as being right or wrong for you. I grew up in a larger area where there is a lot to do, then I moved to Lock Haven where basically everything is in walking distance (and what isn't usually has a trolley running to it) and I love it! Even though some nights can seem boring, there's always something fun waiting to be discovered. The school itself is gorgeous and the classes are great. Although it may not seem ideal on paper, this small town has a lot to offer.
1. Small class sizes
In a large university, you can get stuck with hundreds of people shoved into a lecture hall, unlike at Lock Haven University where most class sizes have ranged between 20-60 people, in my experience. Professors have always learned our names and there has always been a friendly atmosphere.
2. The river
If you love exercising or just taking in scenery, Lock Haven might just be the place for you. The campus is right in a hill, so everyday here is leg day. If you're having a rough day, the best thing to do is walk up to the dike and go for a walk or a run and take in the beautiful overlook of the Susquehanna river and the mountains. The breeze and calm air are enough to put out any negative energy; if you walk down the path you can end up right in town.
3. Student activities
Even if you aren't really into being a part of a group, there are so many different activities going on every day that you can be apart of. There are so many clubs, sports (even Quidditch!) and day/night-long activities so you can't possibly get bored. There are movie nights, wing night and every resident hall holds activities that you can go to and meet others living in your hall. Even if you live in the suites instead of a traditional hall, you can still get out and meet those who live around you.
4. The faculty
Although not everyone here is perfect, 99% of the faculty I have come into contact with have been nothing but nice and friendly. The professors try their best to help you learn and teach what you need to know, the custodial team is always working hard and will say, "Hi," and "Good morning," to you, and the dining staff almost always has a smile on their face as they quickly chat with you and scan in your meal. It is not hard to be kind to the LHU staff, as they are all very kind-hearted people.
5. The town
Weeknights and weekends should be mostly spent for your school work, but it's always good to take a night off and have some fun! Downtown offers so many things to do, like taking a break from studying at the coffee shop, Avenue 209 (which has live entertainment), diners, shops, the Roxy movie theater, Dunkin' Donuts and so much more! All of these things are in walking distance of the campus, and Mill Hall is also about 2 miles away which houses restaurants and other stores (including Walmart).
