Hi! I come from a small school with 60 people in my grade. Would i feel overwhelmed at a school as big as Penn State? Thanks
@collegewoman29, Penn State has 40K+ students and is overwhelming for many students–regardless of background. However, there are things you can do to help yourself. 1) Consider living in East, which is the housing complex that is comprised of almost 100% freshmen. 2) Use a doorstop to keep room open while you are in room and to encourage interaction with other students. 3) walk around and introduce yourself to others and ask nearby freshmen if they want to go to the dining hall with you. 4) Join clubs that meet regularly. You need to look for opportunities to define your little community. 5) Take part in the fall football activities, even if you aren’t a big football fan. In general, you are going to have to step outside your comfort zone. The good news is that there are probably several thousand kids on campus feeling the same way you are. And it’s okay to not like PSU your first semester. Sometimes it takes a semester or two to feel comfortable on your own and in such a big place.
Have you been admitted to Penn State?
If so, what major?
Schreyer ? Sapphire? Millenial?
If you’re still a junior, what makes you consider it?
@MYOS1634 - yes i am admitted. i am in the liberal arts school. I am considering because of high ratings, location, school spirit, etc
1 is excellent. If you can follow those tips, you’ll be fine. If reading it gave you a mini heart attack at the advice to walk around and introduce yourself, it might not be for you.
My friend’s D was totally overwhelmed - she is introverted by nature. She transferred to a satellite campus and is graduating this year.
My nephew is a quiet kid and was not sure how he’d do at such s big school - he’s in his third year and loves it. He definitely had issues with feeling overwhelmed in the beginning, but it all settled down.
Good luck!
@collegewoman29 My daughter (currently a sophomore at PSU) came from a similar size class and absolutely loves Penn State! She lived in East, joined some clubs early on, spent time finding a great roommate on the FB page for admitted students, etc. One other thing she did was participate in an Aurora program just before classes started in August. She met people she still spends time with today. She definitely figured out how “to make a big school small” while still enjoying all the big school perks.
@collegewoman29: if you’re in the college of Liberal Arts, join the Paterno Fellow Aspirants cohort and their SLO (livng learning community). Indicate this when you sign up for Housing. It’ll help you be part of a smaller community.
Sign up for honors classes (your Paterno Fellow Aspirant status allows you to) plus foreign language (which tends to be capped at 24) for first semester.
The size is likely to be overwhelming - it’s like a small town of students!
So, the SLO and Paterno Fellow community will help you feel part of a smaller community (the larger community will be there anyway :p)