Biggest Colleges in the U.S.

Studying at a Large University

Studying at a large university comes with many pros and cons. Consider the following if you’re still trying to decide whether attending a big college is the right path for you…

• Class Size: It goes without saying that larger universities have more students than smaller colleges. This presents the opportunity for students to network with more people who come from diverse backgrounds and cultures. However, it also requires students to be accustomed to attending lectures with hundreds of students in a classroom. Because lectures are so big and generally do not allow for students to ask questions and engage, many big institutions also have discussion sessions to go with lectures where classes are essentially broken down into smaller groups to encourage student participation.
• Faculty: Teachers and staff are often experts in their fields at big universities. However, with class sizes being overwhelmingly big, it may be a challenge for students to have a more one-on-one learning experience with their professors unless they set aside time outside of class to ask questions.
• Extracurricular Activities: Big colleges offer a vast variety of activities to choose from, whether it be sports, Greek life, academic societies, etc. With a larger student body involved in each activity, it can be more difficult to break into each activity than at a smaller college.
• Courses: If you’re looking to explore your options and dabble in multiple academic programs, a large university may be right for you. Big colleges offer more curriculum than you could imagine, and you’ll definitely have the opportunity to try out a variety of majors, minors, and concentrations. This expansive learning environment allows students to really explore their interests and abilities before determining which field(s) is best for them.
• Social Life: For those who socialize best in big groups or crowds and enjoy meeting new people all the time, attending a large university will allow just that. There are also more academic groups to join to connect with other students studying the same things or sharing the same interests.

Tips for Succeeding at the Biggest Colleges

With very little hand-holding from professors and faculty, it can be really easy to get lost in a swarm of students at the biggest colleges, so it’s important to plan ahead for your success if you plan to study at one. Here are some pointers to get you started:

• Don’t procrastinate.
  • While it might be the natural state of most college students, procrastination often causes unnecessary stress, especially if things don’t go as planned at the very last minute. Getting started on assignments early gives students the time to ask peers or their professors questions before turning it in if needed, for example. Finishing an assignment early allows for reviewing and fine-tuning if desired, and the ease of mind that it’s done!
• Eat well, and be well.
  • It’s easy to get caught up and stressed over piles of reading and other assignments. We get it. However, without good health, there will be no good grades! Believe it or not, your overall well-being directly affects how you perform as a student, whether it be in the classroom, library, or your own room. Ditch the instant noodles and soda, and try a quinoa bowl, some fruits, and green juice instead.
  • In addition to eating well, being well is crucial, too. This means setting aside at least 30 minutes a day for physical activity, whether it be going out for a walk, lifting weights at the gym, or doing yoga in your living room. Working out helps to relax muscles that may tense up during study sessions, too.
• Network.
  • You may have heard the saying, “It’s not always about what you know, but rather, who you know.” A big perk of studying at a large university is the vast number of individuals in the same boat — attending the same college, studying the same field, interested in similar things, etc. With this advantage, it is important for students to put in time and effort into networking with other students. The benefits of networking will not only bring you a long way during your college years, but in the years to come, for potentially the rest of your life and career, too!
• Ask questions.
  • Don’t be afraid to ask questions early on if you’re not understanding a concept, or are curious about how something works that isn’t explained in the textbook or lectures. If you never ask, you’ll never know! Larger universities offer a multitude of learning resources, and it is ultimately up to the student to take full advantage of it.
• Participate in class whenever possible.
  • Participation not only gets teachers to know and remember you, it’s also a great way to get feedback on what you know and where you can improve. It is essentially a form of active learning, and can take the form of engaging on a topic of discussion in a study group, or answering a question that a professor asks in class, for example.