Being a part of a small community at a college where only 1,500 students attend comes with its stereotypes. Most, if not all stereotypes are degrading and give the students who attend these colleges no respect. Students who attend larger campuses do have their own advantages. However, for those of us who do study in a small town, well, we have just as many opportunities as the rest of them.
The number one stereotype that needs to be shut down is that we're dumb. I understand that most of the students who attend my college turn in their high school transcripts with mostly B's and C's. At a small town college, we don't have to stress about whether or not we will receive an acceptance letter. For other colleges, it's a big deal. Honestly, when I received my acceptance letter I didn't jump with joy. I didn't post a photo of my acceptance letter on Facebook. For my high school graduation, I didn't decorate my cap with my school's mascot. However, that does not mean we are not as intelligent as the rest of the world.
Being a part of a smaller community does not make me any lesser of a student. Actually, it makes me better. Why? Because my small town college will feel more like a family than any other college will. It makes my experience as a student more unique. It puts myself above others because of the personal opportunities I am granted. At a big college, I bet professors don't even acknowledge their student's names. At my college, I know my professors on a first name basis.
Because I go to a small town college that does not mean I do not deserve money through scholarships. It's your choice if you would like to pay thousands on thousands of dollars for your education and be in debt for several decades. It's my decision, however, to not be. Therefore, it's OK for students at small colleges to receive scholarships. We chose not to choke on debt after we receive our diploma. We deserve scholarships just as much as the big boys do.
Lastly, we still experience what it's like to be a college student. We still live in the dorm freshman year. We still meet new people and learn lessons. We still stress over exams and quizzes. It's all the same as a highly populated school, however, we're personal. At the end of the day, I am as much of a college student in a small town as I would be if I were in a big city.
Don't talk badly about students who attend the small town colleges. We chose to be here and we did so with a purpose in mind. We're here to have the experience of a college student. We're here because we don't want to be in some crazy, unavoidable debt. Also, we're here because we want to be personal. All of these are the reasons I am in love with my college and my decision to attend it.
Next time someone tries to degrade us for choosing a small campus, tell them they're wrong. Make them understand we are just as capable as they are whether they're paying $60,000 for their education, or the $5,000 we pay.
