Welcome, fellow small school go-er. Admit it, your small school is pretty awesome. Walking around campus is super easy, you have some great friends, you're always meeting new people, you have some of the greatest opportunities, and people are pretty friendly. Of course, there are some downsides, like always seeing that one person around campus or seeing your professor before or after you skip class. Agreed?
Small school students can totally relate to the craziest things. Like seeing a hook up of yours around campus. Whether it was one night or one semester, you seem to never see them while you are canoodling but can't get away from them after it has broken off. Do you smile or divert your eyes or laugh? What is the appropriate reaction? You start walking a different way, but there they are again! There are only so many ways to avoid someone at this school.
Even worse than running into your past hook up, everyone and their mom knows you two did the deed or were at least close to it. One person somehow catches a glimpse of that Walk Of Shame and you're busted! People are walking up and asking your how it was, if you were drunk, why you did it, and other unnecessary questions. It's 10 a.m. the next day and people already know? Yeah, they do.
Classes are super small so of course your professor knows you're skipping. Your empty desk sticks out like a sore thumb, especially if you're a regular participant in class lectures and activities. We've all skipped class, whether it was to stay in bed or work on other classwork. Hopefully you didn't break your professors heart by not showing up to their lecture on sonnets and their history.
Your professors are basically your friends. You call them by their first names, have added them on Facebook, email them regularly, and complain to them in their office when you're stressed. You chat with them outside of class about absolutely nothing and it's a fantastic student-professor relationship.
You feel smart, useful, and good at your major. Having small classes and small programs means more time spent on you and perfecting what you do or what you want to do. The time spent on your is awesome and you're crazy thankful for that.
The cafeteria is people-watching central. You pick the perfect seat to look around and watch people. Not even judging or anything, just watching. You see people you know, make faces at them from across the room, and see a ton more people you don't know and have never even seen before.
On top of that, the food service staff know your various orders by heart. Walk in and they've already started making it before you even order. They have nicknames for you or try and guess what food you'll get today. A glance at your outfit or your hair gives you away and your order pops up in their head.
Basically, your small school has its highs and lows. You try to make sure you look good when running into your crush on the way home from class or try your best to dodge that one-nighter. Your professors are always saying 'hi' to you and you're always smiling at those strangers strolling by. Sometimes you feel famous, sometimes you feel unknown and unnoticed. Of course, those ups and downs are worth it.