So many people wonder why I would choose to go to such a small college. They question why I didn't decide to go somewhere bigger, with more people, and more things to do. However, that is a decision I have yet to question. There are so many perks to going to such a small University, and it is those reasons that make me love my school even more.
1. You can get across campus in less than five minutes.
If you wake up late for class and are racing out the door because class starts in five minutes, you don't have to worry about making it on time because chances are, your class isn't that far away. There were many mornings I woke up late and was still able to get to class on time because it was maybe 3 minutes from my dorm. It was great for those mornings I just couldn't seem to get out of bed when my alarm told me to.
2. You develop closer relationships with professors.
This is especially nice if you are someone like me, and many others, who plan to further your education after your undergrad years and will later need letters of recommendation. With a smaller school, you are able to get to know your professors better, as well as let them get to know you better. Each professor is also available for you a lot more with a smaller school as well. Not only that, but you are likely to see them around campus often, or as a club advisor, so you will have more opportunities to interact with them outside of class.
3. You are held accountable more if you miss a class.
Going along with the smaller class sizes, and professors getting to know you, they will also notice if you are not in class. At a larger University, many professors may not have an attendance policy because there are a couple hundred students in class and it would be too hard to keep up with who was there and who wasn't. At a smaller school, you may have anywhere from 20-60 students in a class, so the professor would easily notice who is and isn't there. Many even have attendance policies and will keep track of your absences, which will affect your overall grade in the class. This helps to motivate you to actually attend class, which will help you in the long run because you were actually there to learn the material covered.
4. You know most everyone people on campus.
Going to a smaller school means having a smaller campus, and this means that you will most likely run into the same people all the time. You see them everywhere, and may even end up having a class with them, or working with them in some other organization. After a while, you end up getting to know the person, and maybe even become good friends, and before you know it, this is how it has gone with half of the people on campus. You probably see at least 10 people you know in just the short walk to class each day. If you are anything like me, this is good because you enjoy the close, friendly atmosphere of walking around campus.
5. You develop family-like relationships.
Now this one I'm sure is the same at almost any school you go to, but if you pair it with the fact that you literally see these people everywhere, you can see how the relationships can be even closer at a small school. Especially if you live in smaller residential areas like most are at my school, you will become so much closer with those around you. My freshman year, I spent my last semester living in the smallest dorm on campus, and I have never felt closer to such a diverse group of people. I saw them all the time, and eventually they became family to me. As you may have read in my last article, they were always my go to as they only lived a few rooms down at most. These people are what make the college experience so much more enjoyable because they are the ones you will most likely spent all of your time with.
6. You have more opportunities on campus.
With a big school comes bigger clubs and more people who may be competing for similar positions in those clubs. If you want to run for an officer position for a club, you may be competing again 10-20 other students and your odds may be slim. However, at a smaller school, your odds are so much greater. Also, if that position is elected, you know so many more people that you can campaign to and rally to vote for you. There are so many clubs and organizations available even on a small campus, and with that, so many ways to get involved, and so much potential for leadership that can benefit you later on in life.
These are just a few of the many perks of attending a smaller school, and a private one at that, so if anyone ever questions your decision, let them know how great it actually is. Or, if you are debating between a small school or a larger one, I hope these few things may help your decision in some way.
