Picking the school you want to attend for the next four or more years is a tough decision. The fact is, most students only consider the big, well-known schools that are known for their amazing football team or how great their parties and bars are. Here are reasons you shouldn’t jump right into choosing the big school and should give the smaller schools a chance too.

1. You won't see people you went to high school with everywhere.

College is a time to make new friends who will be there for you throughout your college experience and long after. High school friends, while some are true, are usually just the people who helped you make it through those dreaded four years. Too many college students do not venture out and find new friends, and instead stick with their friends from high school whom they’re already comfortable with. Since most students will end up at a bigger school, if you consider a smaller one you will be able to get away from your high school life and create a new one with new friends.

2. You'll have closer relationships with professors, advisors, and other valuable campus employees.

Big schools have huge lecture halls with hundreds of students per class. With a smaller school, students have the chance to really get to know their professors because the class sizes are rarely over 30 students. Creating good relationships with professors gives students a mentor they can go to when they need help and also a reference when applying for jobs. Having a strong relationship with an advisor is important as well because they are the ones who help you decide on classes you need, and also aid a great deal in finding jobs. Overall, it is much easier for school personnel to help students they are close with and have formed a relationship with over a student they had in a class of 200 students.

3. You won't have to deal with student aids during class.

Nothing is worse than trying to talk face to face with a professor and having to deal with a student aid that doesn’t know the answers to your questions. You’re spending thousands of dollars on classes to be taught by qualified professors with degrees, not some random student who is most likely not as knowledgeable as the professor.

4. Every success you have on campus is a big deal.

It’s really great how close-knit students are on smaller campuses. This means that even the smallest of accomplishments are praised, which is really important for the college student. Students are getting ready to go out into the real world and praise is important when building confidence, which is needed for interviews and jobs. In addition, it’s a great feeling to have everyone on campus congratulating you and knowing of your successes, the little bit of extra attention can really go a long way.

5. You won't get dangerously caught up in "the college experience."

Yes, having fun in college is all part of a great college experience. However, you can’t forget the real reason you’re spending thousands of dollars each year: the education. At larger schools, there are things going on every single night. It’s important to cut loose every once in awhile but it’s even more important to keep up with classes and to study. Getting too caught up in partying and going out every night can be dangerous when also trying to maintain good grades. The good thing about the smaller school is that there isn’t going to be a party every night keeping you from studying for exams, writing papers, or reading for in class discussions. Have fun, but be responsible with your education as well.

6. You'll love how close you are with your fellow classmates.

Having a lot of friends is really helpful in college. You don’t have to be best friends or hang out with every one of them all the time, but when you really need that partner to study statistics with it will be nice when you have options that you’re acquaintances with. You’ll get to know all the students in your classes and form relationships with them. Plus, since they’ll most likely be the same major as you, you’ll have them to study with, do homework with, and give you the notes when you accidentally slept through your 8 a.m. class.