11 Signs You Attended A Comically Small Private College | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

11 Signs You Attended A Comically Small Private College

We wouldn't trade our tight-knit community for anything.

8808
11 Signs You Attended A Comically Small Private College
Meredith College

When it came time for a confused high school senior version of myself to choose where to apply for higher education, I had one criteria in mind: I wanted to attend a small college. I've been used to small class sizes. I went to two different high schools, and the first one's largest graduating class in the history of the school was only 26 students. Then I transferred to a student body of over 1,400. However, the student to teacher ratio remained the same -- about 20:1.

When I chose Meredith College, a liberal arts private college in Raleigh, N.C., I knew it was my fit because of its size (among other factors). Meredith has a total enrollment of almost 2,000 students, and the largest course I've ever been enrolled in was 50 students. As a small private college, there's a few things that distinguish us from the rest. Here are 11 things that show you attended a comically small, private college.

1. You can get from one side of campus to the other in 10 minutes -- five minutes if you run.

It's always nice not having to take shuttles from one side of campus to the next.

2. Everyone knows everyone.

It's comforting when you get into English 200 and know half of the students present. You can't walk into a room without knowing someone, and you always have someone to sit with in the dining hall. Every face is a familiar face.

3. Your friends know your professors, even if they've never had them.

When the list of faculty can fit onto a few sheets of paper, the entire student body can recognize one professor simply by their last name. There's no overlap of names and everyone knows the department they belong to, and what they teach.

4. You know your professors personally.

You call them by their first name and sit in their office to discuss "Doctor Who" and "Harry Potter," drinking from their personal collection of tea that they gladly make for you.

5. You live a hundred yards from the dining hall and your classrooms.

Who doesn't love being in walking distance to every building? It's even better when it's just a few dozen yards away!

6. There are always extra desks.

They're there in case the class has visitors, but for the most part, those first two rows of seats stay empty all semester.

7. You can't miss class too often, since there are only seven of you in it.

The best part about college is that attendance doesn't matter, but it does at a smaller college. Smaller class sizes mean there's no hiding from your professor or class discussions. Attendance is key to a good grade and your absence will be noted when you don't go to that 8 a.m. every other week.

8. You can't go anywhere without running into someone you know.

It's bound to happen, so just be glad you're wearing real clothes instead of the pajamas you'e been wearing all weekend.

9. There's no hazing because there are no sororities or fraternities.

Not all colleges or universities have Greek life, and it's not essential to obtaining a true college experience. So when someone asks which house you belong to and you say there aren't any, don't get too offended when they question your college.

10. When you do something embarrassing and everyone knows by Monday.

Word spreads quickly, especially when there's only 60 people living in your dorm building.

11. You've made friends in a tight-knit community that'll last a lifetime.

Since you know everyone and have been able to get to know them personally over four years, you've made many meaningful friends who you'll keep by your side for the rest of your life.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Disney magic for New Year!

The "Happiest Place on Earth" has a lot of characters with some pretty great advice.

3564
Disney magic kingdom castle on new years
StableDiffusion

Disney movies are well known and very popular in today's world. Although many people appreciate the plot and the storyline, not many people appreciate the wisdom these characters possess. Every Disney movie has unique advice that can be applied to everyday life. Here are 11 Disney quotes to help start your New Year off right:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

40 Gift Ideas for the Indecisive

It's a time of love, family, memory-making, and gift-giving. But also a time of stressing over the perfect gift.

118077
Christmas gifts around a tree
StableDiffusion

It's officially December. There is less than a month of 2024, and I still feel like yesterday was summer. Now comes the merriest time of the year, the Christmas season.

Everyone has been waiting for this time of year since mid-October (which is way too early, in my opinion) or before. It's a time of love, family, memory-making, and gift-giving. A lot of times when I ask friends and family what they want, I get a lot of "I don't know" or "I don't care."

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Bucket List To Live In The Now

Find excitement in your life and start exploring wherever you are right here, right now.

348
mu bucket list

I was sitting at my cubicle, now that I am an adult, looking at the rain pouring down on the windowsill, bumming on life, wishing for the rain to just stop for a full day.

There are moments where we count down the hours until work is over and how many more days till the weekend, and this many weeks until something exciting. Or something like that? Well, I was bumming because my next day off from work is not until Memorial Day weekend, which is not until the end of May. And since this is my first year out of college being a “real person,” I am totally missing the winter, spring and summer breaks. I am sure all of us have felt this way even if just for a hot minute…

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

11 Ways To Survive Finals As Told By Leslie Knope

Because you know you're going to be stressed out, and Leslie knows exactly how to survive.

289
Everything hurts and I'm dying

So finals are on their way. That's right everybody, finals are about to start.

But hey, don't panic. Start getting your affairs in order and prepare for a week of hell. Here's a few things Leslie Knope wants you to do to make your finals week just a little bit less stressful:

Keep Reading...Show less
Kent State University
Great Value Colleges

If you go to or went to Kent State, then more than likely you have done or will do some of these things.

1. You’ve slipped and fallen on the ice at least once.

The winters at Kent are brutal, and while the heated sidewalks and some great snow boots are always a help, there’s no chance you won’t bust it on the ice at least once in your four plus years at school.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments