My college is roughly 500-600 students which is fairly small for a college. Not only is it small, it's in a part of NY that is also very small. So a small school in a small village is definitely something different for me. Coming from a big city to a small village definitely has some pros and cons, here a just a few.
Pro: Small school means small classroom sizes.
Since our school is small, the classroom sizes are also small. I think the most students that I have in my class this semester is about 27. I've also taken classes that have only seven students. This allows the professors to get to know me and my strengths and weaknesses as a student. This opens the gateway for conversations when I ask for help because they are already familiar with me and my needs.
Con: Small school means small classroom sizes
This is also a con because of the fact that my professors know me. This is not the school where you can just not show up to class because you didn't feel like it. You're not just a number and the professors will take notice. I was really sick last semester and couldn't make it to class, my professor emailed me because he knew it wasn't like me to not show up to class.
Pro: You know people
I find it a lot easier to make friends here because there's not many of us. I can walk outside my dorm and say "Hi" to almost everyone and anyone in my building. So because of this, I didn't have that awkward phase of trying to get to know people.
Con: ...A little too well...
Since many dorms on campus are co-ed, we sometimes see people walking out of the shower. Which depending on who you are, that might not be a problem. For me however, that took some time to get used too. Also, if you're trying to avoid someone for whatever reason, that might not go very well for you here. Information also spreads really quickly and everyone knows everyone else's business so don't do something stupid or everyone will know and there is no keep your relationship private.
Pro: There's A LOT of traditions
This might be specific for my school but we have LOTS of traditions here. Since there aren't a lot of us, we can all attend and mingle at these traditions. Especially this tradition called "Odd/Even" which I'll discuss in a future article.
Con: There isn't a lot to do off campus
I think this might be the biggest con to a small school in a small environment. Almost everything shuts down in the area at roughly around 9 p.m. My roommates and I sometimes have to drive 30 minutes out in order to do something like get McDonald's or go shopping.
Overall I feel like there will always be pros and cons to any school you go to. My school has it quirks but I know it's the school for me.
