Whenever I thought about college when I was younger, I pictured large college towns, people flooding all of the streets, and crazed teenagers running around screaming.I pictured wild parties that went on until the sun rose the next day, and i thought all of this would happen at any school I went to, no matter what its religious affiliation. While this may very well be a reality for many, larger schools, here's what I did not expect from my small, private, christian school.
I did not expect know exactly where everything on campus was within two weeks. While I complain about walking all the way across campus to get to anything from my humble abode in the Witmer residence, I did not realize exactly how small my school really was until I spent a weekend at a school that is actually an entire town by itself (What's good, PSU?). It took me less than a week to figure out the quickest routes to my classes, what times the union is the most crowded, and where I could go to study where I wouldn't be distracted.
I did not expect my professors to learn my name. This was the only small scale school I visited, and I had figured that, like the larger schools I had visited, the professors wouldn't bother to know my name, major, or anything else about me other than whether I showed up to class or not. Within 2-3 weeks, most of my professors knew my name, my major, and what I wanted to do when I got out of school.
I did not expect to be more than a number, i feel relevant in every classroom. I did not expect every one to be so kind, and friendly and accepting, EVERYONE will hold the door open for you. I did not expect the people I met to remember me, and I did not expect to meet so many people. I expected to be drowning in my school work, and struggling for air. But I am swimming. I enjoy my classes, and while they are challenging and time consuming, I am not drowning in them. This campus is an ocean, filled with fish, and I am swimming in it. I am a fish, but I am not just another fish. I am a surprised fish. I am a happy fish, and here, at this school, I am a relevant fish.