I didn't know much about Montclair State when I was a clueless, young freshman. The stories I heard were the only thing I could base my opinion on, and believe me, I heard some horror stories. Between everyone going home on the weekends, the train not running into the city on weekends and the terrible parking -- the list went on and on. As a naive freshman, of course I believed all of those things.

Deep down, I was actually really nervous about the decision I had made to attend Montclair State University. Thoughts of transferring to a bigger school ran through my head constantly, insisting that, there, is where I would find a much more rich college experience. I had known of people who went to Rutgers, Penn State and all of those other big schools, and felt jealous that they were making the most of their college experience and I wasn't. But, as I began to branch out, got involved and made friends, all of those fears slowly began to disappear. People ask me constantly if I like where I go to school, and truly, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. Sure, I may be a South Jersey girl at heart, but I know for sure now that Montclair State is where I, along with thousands of other students, truly belong. Here's why.

1. Student Involvement

Joining clubs, sports, and organizations on campus is the key to branching out and getting involved. I joined Greek life during my freshman year, and it has changed me in ways I never thought possible. I wouldn’t have half the life I do if it weren’t for my organization. Getting involved on campus keeps me busy, especially on weekends, so there isn’t a reason to go home. I quickly found out that the main reason why so many people go home on weekends is either a. because they live nearby, or b. they have nothing to do on the weekends. Between events, fundraisers, or just hanging out with my sisters, there is always something to look forward to.

2. Easy access to the city

Despite the fact that the campus train doesn’t actually run on the weekends, what no one ever told me is that there are actually a few nearby train stations that are cheaper and quicker about getting into the city. If you just drive or take a cab to another station, you can still get into the city just as easily, so transportation problems aren’t as serious as they seem.

3. Alumni Involvement

MSU makes it easy for alumni to get involved and play a significant role in students’ lives. Every homecoming, thousands of alumni return to campus to celebrate with MSU students. It’s nice to be able to see friends who graduated already, and still be able to have fun with them around campus.

4. The campus is beautiful and easy to get around.

Montclair State has some of the newest and nicest dorms on any college campus. The Heights, which are only a few years old, include a newer dining hall as well as both double and single rooms, if you’re the type of person who prefers privacy. And, you could easily get from one end of campus to the other in just 15 minutes. It’s a lot easier to get to class on time when you don’t have to rely on shuttles to get you everywhere, although they are available.

5. Class sizes

Many of my friends who go to bigger schools complain that they’re not able to focus or learn in class because of how many students are in them. With a lecture of over 400 kids, it’s hard to concentrate, let alone even show up for class sometimes. At MSU, the class sizes are diverse, but no matter what, still small enough for you to focus, be accounted for, and have a relationship with your professor. Some lectures can have roughly 100 students, while a few of my other classes are a mere 10 students. There are class sizes to accommodate all kinds of learning abilities, making it easier to get good grades.

Despite what people say, any college experience is what you make it, and we’ve definitely made the most of our experience at MSU thus far.