Big School? Small School? It’s All About What Fits You Best
By Evan Clark
The time has finally come. You’re choosing where to spend the next four years of your life. You’re making the big decision of where you’re going to finally step out and get a taste of the real world. And you have absolutely no idea what to do. Then again, who does? All of your friends are in the same boat as you. Your parents? Things have changed a great deal since they were in college. This is a decision that only you can make.
Are you looking for a college that’s tight-knit and heavily focused on education? Or do you want to experience that “big time” college atmosphere in an open community? Want to become the president of the Spanish club? Or just practice on your bags game every Saturday morning? Bottom line: There are many questions and not enough time to answer them all. If you’re at that point in time where the clock is ticking and you still haven’t made a decision, don’t stress. I was faced with the same tough decision over a year ago and though my first choice of school didn’t end up being what I particularly wanted, I feel that I gained a lot from my first-year experience. First, I enrolled in a small college in a smaller town. After one semester, I decided I needed a change and for my second semester I enrolled in a large university in a larger city.
The Small School Scene
The first college campus that I toured (and then attended) was Loras College, and I must say, it’s a nice, pretty little campus that sits on top of a hill overlooking the Mississippi River and the city of Dubuque, Iowa. The campuses at smaller schools are typically pretty, simple and easy to get around—you’ll have no problem figuring out where your classes are on that first day. It’s definitely important to take a tour of the schools you’re looking into so that you can get a feel for the scenery of the campus. After all, you will spend a lot of time walking around it.
One of the things that originally attracted me to the smaller, private schools is the abundance of opportunities available to you. Since enrollment is significantly less, so is your competition. It’s much easier to get involved in clubs, intramurals and activities than it is at the bigger, public universities. When I heard about the possibility of being a D.J. for the campus radio station, it was as simple as signing up and reading an email regarding the job. Before long I was sitting in the D.J.’s chair, spinning new music and giving shout-outs to my dorm hall. The chance of that happening at a bigger school is very slim. That’s why if you’re interested in getting involved with projects right away, it’s a good idea to look into the smaller, private schools.
Another advantage of attending a smaller school is the involvement and assistance you receive in the classroom. Class size is typical to a regular high school and to some people it can be reassuring that your professor will call on you by your name. Can’t figure out what your textbook is talking about? Your teacher will gladly sit down and discuss any questions you have. Having that easy access to teachers really comes in handy during finals week. There are also many student tutors available to help you out as well. The libraries and computer labs are usually not that full, so it’s easy to go in whenever you want to print off a paper or study. As far as the social life goes, while the bigger schools usually provide a bigger city or area to explore and check out, smaller schools also give you an opportunity to make friends quickly. You’ll see the same faces every day, whether it’s in the dorms, cafeteria or walking around on campus. The dorms are basically what you expect, not too big or too small, with community bathrooms. Since there are less people living there, it’s easy to take a shower or do your laundry without having to wait for someone in front of you.
When it comes down to it, if you’re looking for a closer relationship with your teachers and classmates, if you hope to get involved with clubs or other activities, and if you want a basically more down-to-earth routine, a smaller school might be the best choice for you. The smaller schools give you more tools to do what you want in college, though they sometimes lack the atmosphere and experience that come along with the bigger universities. Nevertheless, a small school is a great way to dive right in and get involved in your college experience.
Living Large
Coming from a school the size of Loras College, I really didn’t know what to expect when I began moving into my dorm room at The University of Iowa the beginning of the second semester of my freshman year. I was not expecting to walk into lecture halls packed with four hundred black and gold wearing students. I seemed to overlook the distance to my classes and forgot to write down that the Blue Route bus at 3:30 takes me to the English building instead of the Red Route bus at 3:25. But the best thing I failed to take into account when choosing to transfer to The University of Iowa was just walking around campus and admiring it all. To me, it felt like the real deal—Frisbees flying across the sky, picnics on the lawn and people handing out flyers that you accept mindlessly because you’re too engulfed in it all. And just as that true feeling of independence and exhilaration begins to sink in, then come the tests and the papers to bring you back to reality.
A big university can either inspire people or carry them away. If a social life is what you’re looking for, then look no further. At a larger university, there is quite possibly just too much to do. Whether you seek concerts, guest speakers, games or just a night downtown, it’s all available. This is also what can make big universities more of a challenge. Can you fight the temptation to have a good time over preparing your school work?
At times, a big university can seem overwhelming. The campuses are very spread out, which requires you to learn and become friends with the bus schedule. The lecture halls are huge, but there are helpful discussion classes available to supplement the lecture. These usually contain a small group of people and make some of the material easier to learn. While the actual academics of a big university are not necessarily more difficult (or easier) than a smaller school, the fact that there are fewer resources from which to find help can make things more difficult. If you want to get involved with student organizations or clubs, it’s important to get started in them right away. There are many other people who enjoy the same activities as you, so spots can fill up quickly. The dorms are filled with people and the cafeteria is usually packed, so it’s also important to manage your time so that you can still get to class. The libraries and computer labs are always reaching full capacity, so purchasing a laptop and a printer are two things to keep in mind. While the stress can be a little high at times in a big university, I believe the fact that there’s so much to do and explore outweighs any negatives. The big-time college atmosphere is something to cherish at big universities, and for some, it feels like home.
If you’re having trouble making the decision between a small school and a large university, I recommend that you go with your gut. Go on campus visits, check out the school’s website, call their departments to make specific inquiries, and talk with freshmen from the college. You can never ask enough questions. It’s also important to recognize what your hobbies and interests are and match them up with what your list of schools offer. And remember, once you make your decision, relax and get excited. It’s not like you can’t change your mind.
