Choosing to attend a small school was the best decision I've made. I never thought that the size of my school would impact just how much I loved college, but it has completely altered who I am as a person and my education right along with it. All of my life, I had where I want to go picked out, but my little, small school, Shorter University, chose me. My life plan was never the path that I was supposed to go down, and I could not be happier with the fact that I was drawn to this small school on "The Hill."
1. I never see a face I don't know.
Every time I pack my things up and go to class, I have to pass through paths to get where I need to go; however, I never see someone I don't know. I always have someone to say "hi" to, I always am smiled at, and I always feel loved. There's never a day that goes by where I am not talked to, and I love that. We're not just a school; we're a family.
2. Three words: Open Door Policy
Even the President of our school has this policy, and it helps so much with my education. If I need help, I don't necessarily have to make appointments with anyone. Most days, I can just knock on the door of professors, librarians, or business administrators, and I can get the problem I have solved. This policy allows so much to get done efficiently and a really good level of trust to be built.
3. Small classes make learning more fun.
When I first learned that I was going to be taking a class with only seven people in it, I was terrified. I'm an introvert and I knew just how awkward it was going to be. I was so completely wrong. This class was one of my favorites because of how much of our opinions we could share. We had time to talk, really talk, about everything involving what we were learning, and I've never learned so much before.
4. Less students, more feedback.
Going along with the "less students" theme, we get a chance to get more feedback on our work. I've never had a professor who didn't give me more feedback than I wanted. My papers will be covered in ink, and my word documents will have comments everywhere. Now to some, this may sound bad or like the professors are too critical, but that isn't it at all. In fact, most of the comments I get on my work are very positive, and that just shows how much my professors genuinely care.
5. My teachers don't just know my name, they know my story.
My teachers know more than just my name on a roster sheet, they know who I am as a person. Every single teacher that I've come into contact with has never forgotten me, and even when I'm not in their classes anymore, they continually ask about how I am when they see me. The relationships that I have built with my professors are ones that I will never lose or forget. They've molded me into the person I am now, and that wouldn't have happened if I hadn't been at Shorter.
My life has been completely altered by my school. I have made life-long friendships, genuine connections with professors, and I have the time of my life being who I am and feeling as if I matter on this campus. I am beyond thankful for not going with my "plan" that I had in high school because I feel as though I would be miserable at any other school. I've found where I belong, and this small school is the reason for it.
