Choosing to go to a small school can be difficult, especially when most people you graduate with end up at well known universities. However, students of small schools understand the beauty they can present. I graduated from a high school of over 3,000 people and chose to go to a college of half the size. In doing so, I learned the quirks and the perks that a small school can offer. Here are 10 things that every student whose college is smaller than their high school Alma Mater know to be true:
1. Your school is basically unheard of.
More than 90 percent of your graduating class probably went to a “state” school. Choosing a school with fewer than 3,000 people often means that your school is pretty much nonexistent to the rest of the world.
2. Everyone knows everyone on campus.
Though your friends at state schools may only know five people in their entire school, you know everyone. No slipping through the cracks here, you will be friends with your entire school on Facebook before orientation is even over.
3. Even professors know everyone, by name, and probably hang out with them on the weekend.
Get used to classes of fewer than 15 people; they are the norm here. If your professors do not know your name, GPA, relationship status, hometown, mother’s maiden name, dog’s favorite toy and favorite shade of blue, you probably didn’t go to class. Which, by the way, you don’t get away with at a small school. Attendance is taken seriously, and you will be getting an email if you missed class. A personalized email, full of personal jokes, because let’s be real, your professors can be your friend at a small school.
4. Options are limited.
Hungry? There are two dining halls on campus. Need to research? One library. Basically all you can do on campus is eat, sleep and study. Make sure visitors see all the sights and enjoy the 10-minute tour of the entire campus!
5. You are amazed by the living arrangements of state schools.
Forty-thousand people! Sharing a bathroom with 100 girls! Wow, they are so brave — and completely insane. I will stick to my four-person bathroom, thanks.
6. Everyone does all the same things.
Since options on campus are limited, be prepared to explore the surrounding town often. However, it is likely that it is just as small. No matter what you do, you probably aren’t being very original, everyone does the same thing.
7. You run into people you know on campus no matter what time of day (or night).
Feel like taking an evening stroll at 3 a.m.? Hey, it's college, why not? Just be prepared to run in to at least 20 people you know. It doesn’t matter when or where, if you are on campus, somebody is going to see you. Even if you are just lying in your bed. Check your Snapchat because someone probably sent you a really creepy picture of your window.
They are everywhere.
8. Gossip spreads faster than the flu.
Did you hear what ____ said to ____? Yes, you did. Everyone did. Relationships, hook-ups, fights. If it happened, you’ll hear about it. P.S. it goes both ways. Also, check Yik-Yak.
9. On that note, when one person gets sick, the whole campus is on guard.
College is a hotbed for flu and cold, and it is even worse when the population of your school can fit in a single room. The second one person gets sick, everyone is drinking Emergen-c! You will get sick!
10. You get excited when someone has heard of your school.
Home for the summer and wearing your school pride? Most likely no one will notice. But when someone does, you get really excited! Why? Because you love your school! Yeah, it's small, but it is home! Also, the person who recognized your logo probably knows someone who goes to the same school. They will ask you if you know so-and-so, and you will laugh, of course you do.
