A small school is a unique, independent community that differs greatly from the schools you hear about on SportsCenter every morning. Despite their smaller size there are many things that make small schools special and set them aside from large, city-like college campuses. The homey feel that is brought by every professor, student and staff member is what makes a small college campus thrive. Here are some of the perks I associate with going to a small, beachfront school in New England.

1. The connections:

At large schools you can walk to classes every day and see a hundred new faces each time. However at small schools everyone knows everyone and rarely are there situations when you are in a class and know no one. Immediately the student body bonds into a community and that is what gives small schools a homey feel and makes them a place where everyone is conscious and respectful of their peers.

2. The convenience:

At large schools the campus could be quite large or have multiple campuses where you may live on one campus but classes are on other campuses. At small schools there is no need to take a train, bus, or car to class across campus. The whole campus is condensed where one can walk through campus in a matter of minutes, and easily make it to that 8 am even when the alarm doesn't go off.

3. The caring faculty and staff:

With small class sizes and dedicated staff, the uniqueness of small schools shine true. Professors make it a point to learn everyone’s name, and are always open to helping students. In large schools it would be impossible for a professor to learn every student's name in a given 100-level intro class. The staff and faculty take the time to help students in any way possible because they grow to care about the success of the students. For example, most of my professors have given me their cell phone numbers and email addresses and have even gone to the extent of inviting the class over to their houses for a home-cooked meal.

4. The individuality:

With a small student body there are enough people in the school to meet new people and not see the same faces everywhere you turn, but also to have comfort in knowing that most everywhere you go, you will run into a familiar face. Class sizes remain small, and everyone is free to be whoever they want to be. They can associate in groups, or float from friend group to friend group. There will always be a familiar face to say hello to on the walk to class and there will always be a new face waiting around the corner with a new opportunity.

5. The unity:

The small school community also allows for the student body to actually know and befriend the athletes which allows for unique opportunities. I have nothing against the immense school spirit of the large schools, however at small schools friends show up to support the people they know from class and show support for the people rather than the colors. Students mesh together and are all unified under the notion of the small school community.