Now that my first year at Temple is over, I can say without a doubt that transferring was the best decision I have ever made.
I have met the greatest people, I have been given the greatest opportunities, and have found my home, both in the city of Philadelphia and Temple University.
But there's one thing in particular that I'd like to say: the notion that big schools aren't personal and that you're "just a number" is such a myth.
Just like anything in life, college and the bonds you form while there are what you make of it, despite the size of your school.
Story time!
Last semester, I took an anthropology class called Youth Cultures. My professor was a small, quiet, kind elderly woman named Dr. Schumann. From the very first day, we hit it off.
I showed up to her class early, as I do to every class, because being late equals anxiety. Well, as they say, the early bird catches the worm, and it was smooth sailing from the get-go.
Long story short, by the end of the semester, Dr. Schumann and I were so close that she asked me to help her pick out textbooks and create the syllabus for the next class.
Now, we get coffee/lunch at least once a month. She was one of the first people I told about my internship.
She even offered to do fun, inexpensive activities with me this summer because “she has a car, so why not?” Her words, not mine.
In a gen-ed class, it’s easy to slack off and give it your minimum effort. Trust me, been there, done that. But Dr. Schumann saw something in my constant participation and effort.
But that’s the key, you have to try.
It doesn’t matter if you’re at a huge state school or a small private school if you don’t care, neither will your professors.
Contrary to popular belief, they aren’t robots and can, in fact, pick up on how much of a shit you give. So give one. You only become a number when you act like one.
No matter the size of your school, we all know that college isn’t cheap, so truly get your money's worth. Put in the effort and you’ll get the same in return, and that goes for your relationships with your professors.
The best part is?
It’s the little things that make all the difference. Participate in class, show up early, introduce yourself, do your work, read the textbook.
Who knows, maybe you’ll befriend a future employer or coworker, maybe you’ll form a lifelong friendship, or maybe you’ll just earn yourself an A in the class.
