College can be a time of introspection and learning more about yourself. There is a lot of self discovery that takes place in your first few years. Who are you? What are your natural talents? What do you enjoy doing? These are all fundamental questions you begin to ask when you have discovered your new found freedom from under your parents rule. When college students switch from large universities to smaller schools, what is in their decision process? Small colleges have at least three distinct advantages that I want to cover.
First, the smaller enrollment size is viewed as a positive. They want to be attached to a school where the faculty knows their name and genuinely cares for them. They are not just a number, but they are protege that is learning from the master teacher. Much learning takes place in this type of environment.
Second, there is greater safety. Of course, crime can happen anywhere. However, there is no mystery that much more crime is going on at the larger institutions. Smaller schools are able to provide better security because the campus size is much smaller. Less students means less chance of criminal activity in most cases.
Lastly, a smaller school can mean a greater opportunity to discover your natural gifts and abilities. Because you are better known by people, you will have a better support group to direct you. For example, if you attended a Baptist college that had an enrollment of less than 400, you would have more access to college professors that can pour wisdom into your life. If you desire to pursue ministry, other Bible college students can assist you in that endeavor.
A smaller college is not right for everyone, but it definitely is a benefit to many that attend. Just decide not to immediately write off a smaller school thinking that they cannot provide what a larger school can. The truth is that both have their advantages and disadvantages.
Related posts: