Class size

<p>What are the factors of larger class sizes? I'm trying to decide between a large school with lots of school spirit and all that jazz (with most classes 40-60, some less, some MORE..) and a smaller school that is beautiful, but seems more boring.</p>

<p>i'm drawn to the larger school for the massive amount of activities (and good looking girls.. 60:40 f:m, vs 70:30 m:f at the small school haha!)</p>

<p>although I really enjoyed the campus of the smaller school, and I have 2 friends that go there and 1 that will be in the fall, i'm not sure theres much to do. Its near a great college city, but i was really looking for the college campus atmosphere.</p>

<p>My high school classes have been small - and I'm pretty hyper because 1) all the teachers know me/ i know them 2) I can't stand raising my hand... haha</p>

<p>a teacher told me bigger classes might suit me because i'll simmer down haha..but i'd think it to be the opposite.</p>

<p>anyway- input appreciated</p>

<p>Do you like it when teachers and all your classmates know your name? Do you like a lot of one on one time with your professors?</p>

<p>Or do you like to lose yourself in a crowd?</p>

<p>Would you mind mentioning what schools you are discussing? Maybe someone can bring give you new info that will help you make a decision.</p>

<p>Going to a community college..</p>

<p>My smallest classes are English and communication at 35
My biggest classes are History and Psychology at 50 each. Although the class size may be deemed 'big' to some, consider that they are entry level courses at a community college, so not a lot of students have a direct relationship to the teacher. I talk to my history professor (I took two of his classes last semester, too) once a week or so and I am doing advanced work with him</p>

<p>So, in my opinion, whether or not your professor knows you on a first name basis depends on professor and whether or not you care about the subject.</p>

<p>Note: I have two one-credit classes that have 3 students in them, but I would not really call them classes.</p>

<p>everyone knocks the big classes... but really, they aren't bad at all. If you don't want to go to class one day, no one will miss you. If you go to class tired and don't really feel like saying anything, you just sit in your seat and take notes.</p>

<p>In a big class, you can still know the professor. I actually had a professor this semester pass out tests in a class of 150+ like "first half of the alphabet over there, second half over there (another place), and if I know you I have yours here."</p>

<p>I am very hyper and my teachers understood me too. In big lectures you will simmer down a little believe me. In discussion I am hyper and my TAs (except 1 but I hated her too) have loved me. Make sure your hyperactivity isn't due to ADHD or else that'll screw you over in college big time. And that everybody knows your name, Cheers crap is ridiculous about small schools. Yeah everybody knows your name (and your business too). Everybody in my chem class knows me. It really isn't a big deal. Just go for where you feel comfortable in the environment b/c you can shrink or enlargen your class sizes based on personality (at least at a big school).</p>

<p>Schools - Bentley College, Wake Forest U vs JMU. </p>

<p>I haven't been diagnosed with ADHD, but I have many of the symptoms. I refuse to take medication so I will not be tested. My friend has ADHD and he's all screwed up from the meds. he takes like 10 anti-depressants now.</p>

<p>Don't be afraid to try them. I was afraid and it screwed me over. If they dont work then just stop. But just think of how awful it will be when all you want to do is study and do your work and you JUST CAN'T. That is the worst feeling ever. So really think about how much it is affecting you now and whether you can handle additional work with it.</p>

<p>Here's my story: I had never been diagnosed but I didnt really need to be. I got in trouble in school since pre-school and when ADHD finally came to the light of the public's eyes when I was in junior high a lot finally made sense. I got into high school and basically got all As. (I only didn't when teachers took it out on me or when I had a lot of late work [obviously ADHD related].) I finally get accepted in to U of I with top honors and I was very proud of myself going into the hardest program at the college.</p>

<p>I went to my doctor that summer for a physical and while I was there I popped the ADHD question. He tested me.</p>

<p>Dr: "So what kind of grades are you getting."
Me: "Pretty much all A's"
Dr: "Then you don't have it."</p>

<p>And that was it.</p>

<p>Looking back on it, I wish it were that simple but I got to college and was fine at first but then the work started to pile up. Rapidly. After I got back my first quizzes with below average scores, I freaked. I tried to study. I tried everything I could but nothing worked. I thought I just needed to improve my study habits (they had never been that good), but I never could study. I would "study" for hours and learn nothing. After a few more weeks, I was doing ok but not great. Then it hit mid-semester around October and that's when things really amped up.</p>

<p>You said you're friend had to take anti-depressants b/c of the meds. I probably would have had to go on anti-depressants if I didnt take the meds b/c I just broke down around November b/c I wasn't getting the grades I deserved to be getting and had no way to improve b/c I couldn't concentrate. I received 2 D's (with curves) on my latest exams and got a horrible grade on my lab report that took 6 days to complete. I realized I was taking far to long to complete my labs and not studying for anything else, and when I was studying, it didn't accomplish anything. It was terrible and I had hit an academic and personal low. It was the worst week of my life (ok maybe not ever but definitely in college) and on Wednesday, November 3rd (2 days before my birthday!!) I decided that I would medicate and broke down crying for the first time since junior high. (Seriously it was that bad.)</p>

<p>I had to work twice as hard to improve in everything as everyone else and still did awful (well, ok, I did average but I know I'm better than that). Now with the meds, I am at almost all A's (I'm still adapting to it and improving my study habits b/c I can actually study now) and everything is so much better. </p>

<p>I feel like the same person, but that person can actually get stuff done now. I'm less agitated than last semester and I have done things this semester that would have been completely IMPOSSIBLE last semester (a lab that took 20 hrs experimental time to complete, 12 hrs of research, and it ended up being 40 pages long. I couldn't have done it without Adderall). There is always the stigma of medicine but the favor you will do yourself far outweigh any of the possible negatives. If you have any questions or specifics just ask me.</p>