The Truth About Small Universities

Small universities get a bad rep. There’s a stigma that students at smaller schools are shy and quiet and are only there to buckle down and get their degree. While some schools might adhere to this image, my school defies the odds. Yes, there are parts of Quinnipiac University that remind me of it’s small class size, but that doesn’t mean we don’t know how to get as rowdy as a massive university. Here are some typical beliefs about small schools that aren’t always true.

Everyone Will Know Everything About You

TRUE: Well, kind of. This might depend more on the culture of your school than its class size. Going to a small school doesn’t necessarily mean that gossip spreads easier, it just means it’s easier to get to know everyone. This is actually one of my favorite parts of going to a smaller school; you don’t even have to think twice about making connections. Everyone has mutual friends and people they can introduce you to. There’s nothing better than walking into class or the nearby bar and recognizing familiar faces.

There Will Never Be Anything To Do

FALSE: Small school students know how to make their own fun with what they’re given. If you’re not within Uber distance to a city, the town dive bars will become your go-to. If your school is so small that tiny, dark bars aren’t even an option, the frats and sports houses will step up and throw down, no doubt. If drinking isn’t your thing, no one will care if you stay in for the night because everyone gets bored of going out when there’s only a couple options.

There’s Nowhere To Hide In Small Classes

FALSE: If you really want to fly under the radar, you probably still can. Although your professors want everyone to succeed, they aren’t going to push you the same way they did in high school if you don’t make the effort yourself. However, participating in class and getting to know your professor is probably the smartest move you’ll make in college. Think about it: a professor is going to be more helpful to students who make themselves stand out than students who never raise their hand. There’s been more times than I can count that getting to know my professors SAVED me from terrible group projects or getting points off for late assignments. Even though you can still get through small classes by staying quiet in the back, trust me, it’s not worth it.

Although there are some downfalls to going to a smaller school, there are also many reasons why I chose not to go to a big university. In the end, I’ve grown to love the tight-knight community that a small college creates and I could never picture myself anywhere else.