Ohio State, Arizona, University of Florida, all have over 50,000 students enrolled in their college. My school? About 5,000 on a good day, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
Recognizing Faces
Most people hated highschool, including myself, but there was a sort of comfort from being able to walk down the halls and recognize the majority of the people you see. In highschool it might of been because you grew up with these people, but in college it’s because you’ve had a real connection with them. For people like me this was incredibly daunting but as I start my junior year, it’s so comforting to know I can walk across campus and easily see someone every minute I recognize. Being at a larger school would mean I’m driving to the majority of my classes after freshman year and would see more new faces than old in my 200 person classes.
Smaller Classes
For students who enjoy their major and school in general, smaller class sizes are a good thing. The largest class size on my campus is 90, and those are the classes made up of mostly freshman who aren’t used to college classes anyways. As you begin upperclassmen classes and focus only your major, that you hopefully enjoy, you start to see the same faces in your 19 person classes, and have the same teachers. A college teacher that actually knows your name, grade, and what you want to do as a career is something I’ve thought of as norm, but is actually a privilege among college students.
Physical Size
Everyone complains about their class being on the wrong side of campus, but when I do it I truly sound like the biggest brat on this earth. My entire campus takes at most 15 minutes to get from one side to the other on any given day, and even this is too much for me. My freshman dorm was connected to a dining hall, there for it was the only one I ever went too. God forbid that one was closed for the weekend I would have to walk an entire 4 minutes to the other dining hall! I don’t have to worry about catching a specific bus or trolley, instead I can roll out of my bed at 7:50 for 8 am class.
Leadership Opportunities
A college campus regardless of size has insane amounts of leadership opportunities, but when you’re on a smaller campus, there tends to be less competition for these opportunities. You have a greater chance of being involved with res life, getting an on campus job, or becoming a leader in any organizations on campus. The smaller campus size means you can build your resume and be involved with things you're passionate about, not just out of accessibility.
My small school may seem like a joke to the Virginia Tech friends and Harvard elites, but I’ve never been happier with a decision. Bigger isn’t always better!
