My high school’s graduating class was small...like, really small. We weren't all best friends, but we grew to know each other quite well over our four years. Although, I loved going to a small school there were definitely some cons that made me want a change. I saw the same people everyday, everyone’s business was, well, everyone's business, there were no real secrets, and I seemed to feel more suffocated year after year. When it came time to apply to colleges I jumped at the opportunity to attend a large university. My school now has over 17,000 students. Although, now I am a proud Great Dane it wasn’t all hunky dory those first few months. I found myself in way too many awkward, unfamiliar situations that defined my transition from a small high school to a big college.
1. Remembering Names
My freshman year I remember getting crazy looks from people because I remembered their names after a brief encounter. Oops. I’d be the awkward girl waving at someone in the Campus Center Down asking, "Hey Jimmy. How are you?!" And then it would be followed up with a “Hey….you.” followed by a ‘Wtf? Who is this girl?’ look. It took a few more looks to figure out that what I was doing was not okay.
But, at my small high school, that’s what you did. We all knew each others' names. I mean there were only like 10 of us it wasn't that hard. It was weird when I got to my big university and for the first couple of weeks no one knew me. I secretly knew everyone’s name, but no one knew mine. It was #toosoon to get a rep as the weird girl who remembered everyone’s names. It was at that moment that I accepted that amongst these 17,000 students I was just another girl, in another suite, in another dorm across campus.
2. Scandal
At my small high school, God forbid you kissed someone you weren’t supposed to at a party everyone knew before you got back home. You knew they knew because you felt their stares, you watched them murmur, and you heard the rumors. But, at a big college trifle things like that are #NBD. You and your scandal are one out of thousands of scandals that happened over the weekend. No one cares who you kissed, who you slept with, who you dumped the night before. You don’t have to worry about rumors starting because remember majority of these people won’t know you’re name! So unlike, at your small high school you can do your dirt and peace and no one will ever know. Do you boo !
3. Seating Assignments
During your high school days you sat next to Vickie in English, Matt in Science, James in Spanish, Lacey in History, Veronica during Math, and Cassandra in PE. Every single day. That was your assigned seat, so that's where you sat. This probably won’t happen at your large university. The first couple weeks of a lecture you’re going to be sitting next to someone new each class. If you want to sit in the center of front row in week one, good for you. If you're feeling like the aisle seat is your cup of tea week 9, awesome you do what you gotta do! There are way too many students for people to care where you sit in lectures.
HOWEVER, the classrooms are a completely different ball game. Any college student can testify that just because the professor doesn’t assign you a seat in the classroom doesn’t mean there aren't individualized seats.There are. In college world if I sit in the third seat from the back, with the wobbly desk, right next to the window for 3 consecutive weeks, then the third seat from the back, with the wobbly desk, right next to the window my seat. I don’t care how late I’m running that’s still my seat and you better not sit in it! Don't be that person. No one likes that person.
3. Not Knowing the Majority of Party Guests
When your school population is equivalent to the size of your palm, you can pretty much guarantee that you’ll know everyone at a party. I couldn't fathom that I didn't need a personal invitation to go to a party. I was even more surprised when I got to said party and recognized no one. You don’t have to know anyone at the party. At large universities word of a party spreads fast. Unlike my small high school you don’t have to be friends with a person to go to their party. And if you show up separate from your friends to a party you probably won’t be able to find them for a while. At big colleges, people from all different social circles come together for one common mission—alcohol!
4. Cliques are Real
It’s hard to have jocks, preps, emos, and nerds divided at a small high school! You all make up the geeks, the preps, and the goths! But, at college, it’s different. Cliques are a thing. The sorority sisters are always together, the frat brothers cannot be separated, the athletes are all friends, and unless you're in that specific group...
you can't sit with us. Simple as that.
5. Girl/Guy Code
In your small high school, where the girl to boy ration was probably like 8:3 , the Girl/Guy code was broken a few times and it was okay. At a small high school, you can’t be upset with your friend for dating your ex from freshman year when the pool is already so small and only a few are desirable. But, in college that’s a no go. Everyone becomes very territorial because well you can be. It’s not okay if your friend dates your ex now because the ratio is 1:3. There are so many other eligible bachelors to choose from and majority of which are desirable therefore find your own! The Girl/Guy code is in full effect at your large university and you better learn to abide by it.
