Thinking about college after high school graduation? This process happens for many seniors every year. Should you go to a larger college that offers an extensive variety of classes and that has a beautiful campus setting? A larger school may appear like the number one choice of many, but one should also remember that a larger school may mean a a greater tuition cost. This is where a smaller college may be your best bet.
Smaller campuses tend to be similar in nature to larger colleges just smaller in scale. Smaller colleges usually make it quite easy to transfer credits to a larger college. This allows you to attend a regional campus setting to earn your beginning credits and then move on to the large University if you so desire.
You can tackle your required courses at a regional college in order to set you up for success at a University. Regional campuses tend to also have fewer students in each class. Are you looking for personalized features such as academic attention? This personlization can also help you handle the transtion from high school to college. This change can be hard for many and a regional college setting helps to ease you into your new life circumstances. This is especially apparent when students take too long to adjust to college life and their academic performance is less then optimal as a side effect.
Many required courses that you take in the first years of a college career are classes that you might not like. They may be very difficult. Taking these classes in a regional class size setting can help you to receive the attention you need to succeed. Professors are much more approachable and you can schedule a time to meet during their office hours. This can be done in larger Universities, but it is more difficult to set up a personal appointment with your University professor.
A large University has a great deal of extra curricular activities that are enjoyable. However, you are one of many students that participate so it is difficult to become deeply involved. A regional campus will allow you to a quicker time of becoming an active member in activities. You won't be just another faceless member in a big group activity, but a active force in a smaller group of competitors.
You have improved your odds of getting to know more people at a more personalized level. Each semester you have to register for new classes, pay tuition, and complete other administrative tasks. This is often much simpler and faster to accomplish at a regional college that has fewer students. The administrative staff can meet with you personally on a timely basis.
This type of one-on-one contact is much harder to come by at a larger University where your academic needs are one of many students. You can go from extensive waiting at a large University to having your questions answered in ten minutes at a smaller college. Cost is always a consideration for any college student.
While financial aid and loans make larger universities affordable, paying off those loans can take years. You can shorten the time you are indebted to banks and the like by taking your first two years at a regional campus and then transferring to the larger campus to finish your studies. The money you save in those first two years can really pay off in the long run and the credits will transfer easily.
While the smaller campus does not have all of the amenities and allure of a larger institution, a shrewd student can take advantage of the benefits offered by the smaller places and often graduate with the very same degree but owing thousands less than their peers. Plus, if you are uncertain of your major or are nervous about making the transition to college life, then the smaller campus may be your best option. At the very least, a regional campus or local university is a great place to begin your collegiate career and you will often find it easier to meet lifelong friends there than in the rat race of the larger universities.
David Neehly runs a unique Education site called "Education & Student" Visit there today for the latest Education updates. To read more interesting Education articles go to: http://EducationStudent.com/articles
