As a senior with only a few weeks left before I graduate, I wanted to share my experience at my small, in-state school. When I started at Salisbury, I hardcore did not want to be here. To be honest, I felt inadequate going to a small D3 school compared to my friends who were going to very far and very big schools. But now as I prepare myself to graduate and look back on the last four years, I can’t picture myself at any other school. I’ve really seen myself become a leader on this campus in so many ways and I have been able to do and experience so much here. Now this isn’t supposed to be a post where I knock other schools. I’m making this blog post for anyone who felt like me when they were low key forced to go a smaller school or a school that wasn’t their top choice (thanks mom and dad). I think there are so many perks to going to a smaller school and I definitely think you can find happiness where ever you are!
I wanted to start by saying what a privilege it is to even be able to go to any college at all. Regardless of the reputation of the school or the prestige that may or may not come with it, being able to continue your education and get a bachelors, masters or doctorates degree beyond high school is a privilege. Not everyone in this world can afford it or has the ability to attend a university, so lets take a moment to appreciate the fact that if you’re reading this, you’re lucky enough to go to any college period.
Saving Money: I’m using this as a comparison to my two brothers who go to a big D1 school in state. My parents make it no secret that the cost of my rent, my tuition and overall living expenses is a lot cheaper than my brothers. I have a lot fewer student loans I have to pay back and I get to go on a lot more adventures because I’ve saved so much money. I have gone to visit my friends at their schools a lot and have studied abroad multiple times because of the lower costs my family and I pay for me to go here.
Smaller Classes: I really like having small classes with a max of 30 students to a class. It makes me feel like I’m not just a number in a giant sea of students. I’ve had as little as 4 other people in a class and it honestly enables me to ask more questions and talk more in discussions. My teachers learn how I operate as a student and I’ve even gotten my grades bumped up a few times just because the professors know me and see how hard I work.
Short Walks to Class: To go from one side of my campus to the other, it takes me roughly 15 minutes. I’ve gotten away with leaving for class 3 minutes before it started and I’ve still made it on time. This may seem pretty minor, but I definitely think this is a perk to a small school that I don’t have to take a bus, train and plane just to get to class.
Close to Home: A lot of people want to get as far away from home as they can when they go to college. But I’m actually really glad I stayed in-state because I am able to go home when I really need to, and simply drive back to school during breaks. That means I also can pack up my car with as much useless junk as I want and I don’t have to pay airfare. Plus its always nice when I can go home to see mom and dad when I can, especially on holidays. I can also see my home friends more.
More Opportunities to Lead: When you’re a big fish in a small pond, you have more opportunities to be a leader on campus in multiple settings. Its much easier to get involved and not get lost in the crowd. Its a closer knit group where everyone is encouraged to take some sort of leadership opportunity. Most of my friends are in multiple honor societies and clubs where they hold positions on the executive board.
Knowing More People: I honestly can’t walk around campus without saying hi to at least one person I know. This may be a bad thing in some situations, but I really like being able to wave to people I know and stop and chat with friends every time I walk to class. Its also easy to get to know more people when your school is smaller and odds are you have at least one or two connections to everyone on campus in weird and bizarre ways. This helps you build stronger connections.
Same Opportunities as a Big School: I don’t ever think you should feel as though you have less opportunities at a small school than you do a big school. You have just as many opportunities to earn a prestigious degree, join clubs, join sport teams, join an honor society, join a sorority, go to sports games, go out on the weekends, study abroad, get an internship and so much more, regardless of the college you go to. Every school is different but each college has unique things to offer you.
If you’re worried your college isn’t for you, I say you should give it a chance first. It wasn’t until the end of my freshman year/ beginning of sophomore year that I really found my place on campus and learned to love my school. But if after some time, you feel this school still isn’t the right fit, don’t be afraid to look into other schools. I’ve had a bunch of my best friends transfer to other schools in the past few years. And while transferring is not an easy experience, I know all of them have truly blossomed at their new schools because it was a better fit for them academic wise and was what they were looking for in a college.
Do you go to a smaller school? Comment below!
Thanks for reading xx