Going to a small school certainly has its advantages. Small class sizes, unique learning opportunities and, for many, it’s small enough to find yourself as an individual but still leave college with a bunch of great friends. It’s a privilege to be a part of such a selective and small community that you’ll call your home away from home for the next 4 or so years.
That being said there are definitely some down sides to living in such a small, confined area with another 1,400 college students….
1)No one has ever heard of your school.
When you tell someone where you attend school expect them to respond with “Where? I’ve never heard of it”. Just be ready to explain how far away it is from the closest major city.
2)Everyone knows everyone.
Sometimes it really is helpful to know as many people as you do, like when you’re looking for the best party that won’t get shut down by security. But sometimes it can be pretty embarrassing or annoying. Especially at the caf on Sunday morning where you see the guy you were drunk-girl-dancing on a table with at the football house last night. There’s a reason we call it “Awkward Sunday Brunch”
3)The school dynamic changes every year.
At a small school like mine any given year the campus atmosphere can be defined by a bunch of rowdy seniors that turn the campus into a crazy place full of come one-come all “ragers”. Come fall of the next year it’s possible that a new group of upper-classmen can turn the campus into something that resembles an old re-run of 7th Heaven.
4)Weekends are SO lame sometimes.
You know, those weekends where everybody either goes home or has a sporting event the next day. You end up sitting in a dorm room with the few friends that stayed on campus drinking cheap beer and listening to your new Spotify playlist. The night goes on to endwith one of your friends crying over her ex-boyfriend who’s been out of the picture since high school and eating your weight in Sheetz food.
5) Your flings will probably be friends with each other.
It’s a really fun game of pong when you’re playing against your ex fling and new fling. Especially because now that they know there share a bond (you) they have formed a ridiculously gross bromance.
6)The campus knows whose bed you woke up in this weekend.
Forget secrets. People will know what and who you did. It’s annoying and totally embarrassing at first, but eventually you’ll get over it.
7)There’s no room for Ex’s
They’re unavoidable. You see them in the caf, the rec center and even on your late night Dunkin runs with your friends. They’re EVERYWHERE. Sure, it’s one of the most awkward experiences rolling up to a party they’re at when your with your new guy or gal but eventually the heartbreak will fade and you’ll goonto being civil adults one day…. Right?
8)College kids remember everything….
Especially on a small campus. We can’t remember what we learned in philosophy lecture last week but they can remember the night you ended up with your head in the toilet after going a little too hard at your tour de Franzia mixer.
9)Your professors know too much about your life.
Not only are these people teaching and training you in the field you want to make a living in, but you probably have gotten to know them in more ways than just as your professor. Maybe they’re your cross country coach, maybe you babysit for them, or maybe you’re even friends on Facebook with them. Regardless, some professors in your life probably have seen or heard thingthat they really didn’t need to know about you.
