Over Christmas break, a high school classmate and I discussed how school was going for the both of us... And when I told her my college had about 2000 students, she turned her nose up at me. But I chose a small school for me. Not for you. Not for my parents. Not for anyone but me. Let me be the first to tell you, it was the smartest decision I ever made
I have a one on one connection with not only my advisor, but all of my professors.
They all know my name. My professors speak to me on campus when I see them. On my birthday, we discussed my plans for the weekend and they wished me well. They come into my place of work and when they see me, they tip well because they know I am a college student and need the extra cash. They ask me about my week and my other classes. They care about me.
Our President knows most students' names.
It's awesome enough teachers I sit with for a few hours a week know my name, but when our President is on campus and can say "Hi Mikaela. How's accounting going?" that's saying something.
Our classroom sizes making it easier to learn.
If I need help preparing for a test or understanding a topic, I can reach out to anyone in my class because we know each other. Our in class discussions work because there's 18 of us and we can talk. We aren't fighting for a chance to speak with 200 students. It's just us. And we all get it.
We can adjust the syllabus to benefit us.
Professors actually care about how their students perform when there's a smaller group they're teaching. If people aren't grasping a concept, it's a lot easier for professors to take a minute to reteach something until everyone understands.
You know that you add value to your campus.
At a big school, it's easy to get lost in the crowd. But when you go to a small school, you're important. You make a difference in projects because with smaller numbers, everyone is needed.
You don't have to be involved in one thing.
At a small school, clubs and organizations take into account when other clubs will be meeting. You can be involved in a social fraternity, a service fraternity, SGA, clubs relevant to your major, and even a club for fun, like the Harry Potter Club. You can make it all work because everyone wants you to be involved and wants to see you succeed.
You can get up for class 5 minutes before it starts.
Your campus is so small that waking up, rolling out of bed, and being on class is a real thing.
I get not everyone wants to go to a small school, but don't act as if your school is better than mine because you attend a big university. I love my school and it's one mile radius. Do not belittle it because you think the best education is one at a school for 30,000 students.
