A lot of times, small college get a negative representation. They are too small, they have nothing to do, and they may not offer Greek life or a huge list of academic programs – these are all common complaints about small schools. Obviously there are pros and cons that go along with any type of college experience. However, there is one thing which small schools can boast of and large universities cannot: an extremely large emphasis on support and campus-wide community.

My entire college career, I have had direct interaction with my advisors and all of my professors. Nearly all of my professors have had an open-door policy, making themselves available to students whenever they need them. Anytime my advisor is in his office, students will stop by with questions or even just to chat. When I ran into unforeseen financial issues that would have jeopardized me staying in school, he went far beyond the basics that are expected of an advisor to help ensure that I could stay in school and graduate.

Not only are the faculty supportive, but the support and sense of community is something that is embraced throughout the student body as well. Countless times while at Lindsey Wilson College, students have dealt with traumatic events, or difficult personal matters, and the support shown – at all levels – has always been astounding.

When a cycling student had a horrible wreck that left her in critical condition for quite awhile, the campus body rallied behind her – holding prayer vigils, selling and wearing cycling socks in her honor, and visiting her in the hospital, among other things. It was incredible.

This past week, a student passed away on campus. This is the most heartbreaking thing that has happened in my time as a college student. The beautiful thing that has come out of this has been the outpouring of kindness, love, and support in her honor and memory. There has been no judgment or unkind words, but instead, full-out mourning, love and remembrance of a life lost too soon. Our President sent out a campus-wide email informing all of what happened, students have held prayer vigils and gathered together in a campus-wide hug and for “cupcakes and hugs.” What a beautiful way to remember a life and to come together as a community.

On a large college campus, these are the things that would largely go unnoticed. At a large university, I would have just been a number, and would not have received the support I did when I thought I might have to leave. Injuries and deaths are still traumatic occurrences, but would not impact more than a few people within very specific circles on a large campus.

That is the beauty of the small school experience: your campus largely becomes family. If you experience a hardship, your campus will likely rally around you in support – just like a family would. Your peers and those above you will care, and will be willing to be there for you. It is close and personal. Each student is important. Each student is treated as a valuable asset to the college community.

Yes, there are negatives to the small college experience, but there are negatives to the large campus and university experience as well, and the love, kindness, support and care that small colleges offer, is utterly invaluable.