When it came time for me to look at colleges, I toured and applied to over 15 different schools. With each tour, I enjoyed different aspects of the campuses, but none truly felt like home. The first time I stepped on Cabrini’s campus, I felt a sense of purpose and passion that I didn’t feel at any other school. I think the aspect that I liked the best was the tight knit community and writing this as a senior, I can definitely say I am more than glad that I chose to attend a small college. Here are five things that you will come to find about going to a small school:
1. You will form close relationships with your professors and advisor.
Each class that I have taken thus far has been a learning experience that I would not trade for the world. I’ve been in classes as small as three students and lectures as large as 25 (still so small compared to larger universities)! I can definitely say that whatever class I took, the professor that I had had the best intentions in mind for their students and the professors actually got to know us. I’ve formed bonds with all of my different professors, as well as my advisor, Dr. Zurek. I cannot thank Dr. Zurek enough for all that he has done for me and if I went to a large school, I might not have had an advisor that would have done anything to help me at any time (or answered my hundreds of emails full of life questions).
2. You will get to know everyone very well --- and fast.
Going to a small school means seeing the same faces around campus quite often, whether it’s in an academic building, in the cafeteria or just on the commons. Getting to know everyone well also means that saying goodbye to them at the time of graduation will be so hard. On the plus side, you’ll form bonds that will last for years to come.
3. The students in your major will become some of your best friends.
When you dive deeper into your major, your small classes become even smaller and the bonds between students become stronger. As I got deeper into my communications major courses, I have been an anchor for LOQation News and have stayed up until the early morning editing the newspaper while serving as Editor in Chief of The Loquitur. The times spent in the newsroom with my fellow editors who quickly became my best friends are the ones that I will never forget.
4. You can make it from your dorm to class in no time.
Woke up late? Not a problem. That’s right! No busses or public transportation needed to get from class to class. Walking from building to building only takes a few minutes --- and you’ll even have time to grab a coffee or salad along the way. (This is definitely one of the best aspects of going to a small school, in my opinion!)
5. You will feel a part of something so special that you won’t experience anywhere else.
You’ll make more than just friends. You’ll be a part of a sense of community that will quickly come to feel like a family and you will have a support system like no other. Bosses, professors, mentors and peers become some of the most important people of your college career and they will always help you no matter what, even after college. I will always appreciate attending a small school and I wouldn't change my college career for anything in the world.