Advantages of Small College Campus

As college-bound students prepare to attend university, the first decision to make after deciding to pursue a higher education is what type of college to apply to. All colleges have their own distinct attributes, personalities, and layout.

When selecting the kind of college to attend, the size of the campus will be a primary factor. Some college campuses will be large in nature while others will be much smaller. There are many advantages to attending a smaller college.

Here are a few of the top benefits of a smaller campus:

1) Personable Environment.

Smaller college campuses are often much more personable than their large counterparts. While it is true larger universities may be considered more prestigious and offer a broader offering of academic programs and extracurriculars, smaller colleges have the edge in providing a more personable environment.

In classes, students are seen more individually rather than a student ID number. Classes are typically smaller, and students can receive more individual attention. College staff and faculty will more than likely recognize students by face and name, and it is common for students to have a small town feel when attending smaller campuses.

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2) Smaller Classes.

One of the most significant benefits of a smaller college is the fact that each course has a lower number of students enrolled. In larger campuses, it is not common to see 100+ students in a lecture hall for a particular class, whereas smaller colleges can accommodate classes with an average of typically 12-35 students, depending on the course.

Students who experience a level of stress of being in large groups are likely to have a much better time adapting to college in the small university setting.

3) Individualized Learning.

When attending a smaller college, a big advantage is students often have the opportunity to receive more individualized learning. The courses selected can be adapted to meet student needs because registration clerks and academic counselors are catering to a much lower number of students.

Also, instructors can teach their subject material on a more personified level to meet individual needs because the number of students in their classes is smaller and provides a better adaptability level. Professors have a much better ability to get to know their students as individuals, pick up on various learning styles and students are not seen as the aforementioned student ID number.

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4) Strong Relationships with College Personnel.

In small campuses, staff, faculty, and advisors are more inclined to develop close relationships with students. This is because the population is smaller and this allows college employees to really get to know their students.

With tens of thousands of students walking large campuses, it is not typically possible to get to develop relationships with all students due to the sheer number of people. However, in smaller education settings, those members of the academic institution will have the luxury of being able to identify and recognize students without necessarily needing to distinguish a student by looking them up in a computer.

5) Easy Campus Navigation.

Smaller campuses are less intimidating for those who have anxiety about large environments. Navigating around campus is typically less confusing, and there is a lot of time saved when class locations are located closer together. No worries about sprinting from building to building and being exhausted or late for class.

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Selecting a college is a highly individualized decision, some students will prefer large university settings while others are more inclined to lean towards smaller campuses. If you are unsure, it is a good idea to weigh out the pros and cons of the size of the universities you are considering as you may decide the size of the campus may be the deal-breaker when trying to make a final decision.

Ultimately what it comes down to is personal preference and what size campus best meets individual learning goals. When selecting a college, it is important to consider those schools which will be able to provide the most optimal learning experience possible.