Ever wonder what it's like to go to a small private school? Here's a pros and cons list that every college student who doesn't go to a state school can vouch for.
1. Pro: I'm not a number.
Pertaining to education, you're seen as an individual and it's liberating. You feel comfortable in knowing that you aren't in a sea of students, sitting in a lecture hall with 1000s of strangers. It's hard to get lost going to class, parking isn't as bad, and you actually know your professors and classmates on a personal level.
2. Con: High School 2.0.
Everyone—and I mean EVERYONE—knows everyone's business. It's difficult not to have drama when the social circles overlap; all of the students are connected in some way. Keep in mind, that means that if you hook up with someone, chances are you're going to have beef with someone else. It's as simple as you telling Tracy in Spanish class that you hooked up with Chad—plot twist: Chad is Tracy's best friend's freshly new ex-boyfriend. Now, some random girl named Hannah is calling you a homewrecker. It's great.
3. Pro: Basically all of my teachers are Robin Williams from "Dead Poet's Society."
First off, professors actually know your name and say hi to you when they pass by you on campus. Most of them truly care about you and your future. It's super easy to ask questions after class and not feel lost in the material. If you make a conscious effort to better yourself in their class, they'll usually take it into consideration when they're giving you a final grade. Also, if you bond with them (yay recommendation letters), they sometimes let you babysit their kids or dogsit. I know so many people that text their professors and call them by their first name, it's wild.
4. Con: I clearly didn't do the assigned reading and I'm sorry, God.
Being close with your professor isn't all that though. Our classes are small, the most I have in a class is 20 people, so if you slack off, forget to do the reading, or show up hungover, they'll notice. They not only notice, but they take it weirdly personally. Sometimes they call you out and joke about it because they know you're young and life happens. But if it's a professor that expects more from you, they get disappointed and make you feel guilty for it.
5. Pro: Partying.
Unlike big univeristies, it's easy to meet people. So since it's easy to meet people, it's easier to get an invite to a frat party, pre-game, or a low-key get-together. School bars are filled with people you're close with or at least recognize and there's something comforting it that. It's not necessarily about the partying aspect, it's about coming together as a community and having fun.
6. Con: Partying, tbh.
Sometimes when a person who is 21 and over (*wink*) acts a bit foolish at a party, EVERYONE knows about it. If you drunkenly make any really bad decisions with another person (*wink*) everyone knows about it. Then you see that other person (*wink*) while you're walking to class and it's incredibly awkward. Also, walking to class and trying to figure out if the girl you cried to in the bathroom stall last night remembers you should be considered an Olympic sport.
7. Pro: Hold my hand forever.
I love the resources my small college provides. They focus specifically on each student and try to help them in any way they can. I'm on a first name basis with my advisor and go to career services almost every day. The resources provide a personal feel to the college experience, especially because I know they support me and my future career.
8. Con: What the hell am I going to do after college?
Since I've had all these resources and my handheld my entire college career, I am terrified of the future. There is no career services department that will look over my resume after the 18th draft. I'm not saying it doesn't prepare me for the real world, but I'm definitely not as independent as my friends who go to state schools.
9. Pro: You see your friends all the time.
Having a small campus makes it easier to meet up with your best friends after class and continue to hang out for hours on end. There's absolutely nothing better than passing by your squad on the way to class, and yelling—correction—HOLLERING each other's names across campus is riveting. Definitely one of our favorite pastimes.
10. Con: You can't avoid anyone.
Because the campus layout is so small, it's impossible to truly "ghost" someone. And you'll always run into the one person you're purposely trying to ignore, it's facts. Doesn't matter if you try to avoid a part of campus so you don't run into an ex, because you'll probably see them when you're getting food. Picture Gilmore Girls but college edition.
All in all, I love going to a small college. I need a socratic discussion rather than a lecture hall in order to learn and I feel like the people who learn better this way can fully thrive in this setting. But, because it's such a small school, personal life gets a bit messy. So students that go to a state school, if you ever feel lost in a sea of people, know that it has its perks.