Tag Archives: college

8 Reasons to Consider a Small-Town College

Besties, when I was applying to college, I thought bigger was better. I toured massive public universities like the University of Texas and the University of Alabama, and I was starting to picture myself in those giant lecture halls, surrounded by hundreds of classmates.

Then it hit me: smaller class sizes meant more time and attention from my professors. I ended up choosing a school with an average of 15 students per class, because I knew there was no risk of getting lost in a crowd.

Don’t get me wrong – living in a big city and/or attending a college with a huge student body comes with a huge amount of benefits. But there’s something special about the unique advantages that small-town colleges offer. Let’s dive into eight reasons why a small-town setting might be the perfect fit for you!

1. Lower Cost of Living

The majority of small-town colleges are located in areas where expenses are significantly more affordable than in urban centers. From lower rent prices to cheaper groceries, the cost of day-to-day living can be much more manageable for students.

This can make a big difference for my Kitelings relying on financial aid or juggling part-time jobs. This way, you can focus on your educational and personal goals, graduate with less student debt, and have more financial freedom for your post-college life.

Also, a lot of nearby businesses also offer student discounts, so be sure to speak up!

(You can sign up for Red Kite to discover scholarships, grants, and loans for your college journey! More on this in the end…)

2. Tight-Knit Campus Community

I can speak on this firsthand: small-town colleges foster close relationships between students and faculty. With smaller class sizes and a more personal atmosphere, you’re more likely to make meaningful connections that last long after graduation.

Plus, a lot of small-town teachers live on campus, and there’s nothing like popping over to your professor’s for a cup of coffee! (If they invite you, of course…)

3. Focus on Academics

And for all you smart cookies, remember that small-town colleges are an ideal setting for focusing on your studies because they provide you with a quieter environment, which means fewer distractions! Without the constant hustle and bustle of the big city, you can create a steady routine and truly immerse yourself in your academic pursuits.

Trust that libraries and study spaces are way less crowded, giving you the perfect place to concentrate. Additionally, the reduced stress of a slower-paced environment can help you maintain better mental health. You need to stay sharp and productive throughout your college journey!

4. Outdoor Adventures

Many of these small-town colleges are surrounded by natural beauty. Whether it’s forest trails, rivers, mountains, or scenic parks, there’s an abundance of opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation! As fun as it is to take the subway to class, you might also enjoy a hike to a scenic waterfall! (Say hi to Bambi from me.)

My college actually offered a school-sponsored program for outdoor adventurists to pay a small fee and venture out to the mountains for hiking, biking, or swimming. One day, I hopped on one of their trips to the beach, and it was so fun and refreshing!

5. More Involved Greek Life

If joining a fraternity or sorority is on your college bucket list, small-town schools often offer a more close-knit experience! With fewer students, smaller chapter sizes = more meaningful opportunities for leadership and involvement.

Of course, like with most universities, Greek life plays a significant role in shaping the campus culture. These organizations frequently host events that involve the entire town, from charity fundraisers to homecoming parades. This way, their members can build connections both on and off campus… okay, networking!

6. Local Charm and Culture

Think of the distinct charms of small towns, filled with local traditions, festivals, and businesses that give the area character! These communities tend to be deeply rooted in history, and many small towns celebrate their heritage through events that bring people together.

In addition to the festivals, small towns often have unique, locally-owned businesses that provide everything from homemade treats to one-of-a-kind boutique shops. These local gems offer a chance to support the community and discover hidden treasures you wouldn’t find in a chain store. The vibes are immaculate!

7. More Affordable Entertainment

One of the biggest perks of living in a small town is the variety of activities that are easy on your wallet. For example, you can research and find nearby charming local diners with affordable daily specials! (Now I’m craving my favorite tiny Italian place from my college town.) There’s no shortage of ways to have fun!

In my town, the local movies theater offered $5 ticket Tuesdays, which I discovered is a pretty common promotion for small-town venues. Be sure to see if there’s one of these deals near you!

8. Supportive Alumni Networks

As a graduate myself, I can testify to the idea that alumni from small-town universities develop a deep sense of loyalty and connection to their alma mater. And as I mentioned before, students from more tight-knit communities tend to build lasting relationships that can extend well into their professional lives. If you choose a small-town college, you’ll also find a robust alumni network that is genuinely invested in supporting current students (like you!).

One of the key benefits of attending a small-town college is the opportunity to tap into this network for mentorship and career guidance. Alumni feel a strong sense of duty to give back, offering their time and expertise to help other students navigate their academic and professional careers.

At my college, there were also formal mentorship programs and networking events. The sense of camaraderie that comes with graduating from a smaller school can definitely translate into real-world opportunities. Graduates might keep an eye out for potential candidates from their alma mater when hiring for internships or full-time positions. Word-of-mouth recommendations and personal referrals help open doors for you!

Choosing a college is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make in your life, and the environment you choose plays a huge role in shaping your overall experience. If any of these reasons resonate with you, it’s time to start exploring what small-town colleges can offer.

Like me, you might find that the quieter, more intentional pace of life in a small town is exactly what you need to grow academically and personally. As you begin your college search, remember that finding the right financial support is key to making your dream school a reality.

At Red Kite, we’re dedicated to helping students like you unlock access to scholarships, grants, and loans. Our platform connects you with over $25 billion in financial aid, streamlining the process and making it easier to find the support you need.

Whether you’re drawn to the charm of a small town or the benefits of a big city university, Red Kite is here to help you navigate the financial side of your college journey. We want you to focus on what really matters: your education and your future.

5 Fun College Summer Activities

You made it through another semester at college! Now it’s time to kick back, relax, and take a break from your busy undergrad life.

Even if you’re stuck taking a summer semester, it’s important to make some time for yourself. If I didn’t treat myself to a $7 iced coffee every day of the hot season, I think I would literally collapse.

There’s a lot to prepare for the fall, and I’m sure you’re trying to get organized. Summer jobs and volunteering are also great ways to boost your resume, but if you’re wondering how to maximize your fun, ya girl is here with all my favorite ways to kick off the summer. And spoiler alert… they’re cheap!

1. Make a time capsule.

Four years from now, you’ll be looking back on this summer with a totally new perspective. When I was a freshman, I wrote a letter to senior Jane, and it was so interesting to see how much I had changed!

Write to your future self and ask questions. Tell yourself what your biggest hopes for college are, and be sure to refresh them on how your current life is going. Your best friends, your favorite hobbies, your go-to YouTuber… trust, your grad self will LOVE to look back on your time right now.

Some other things you can include in your time capsule are:

Photographs (friends, family, pets).
A mood board of what you think your life will look like in a few years.
A current newspaper (or, ya know, the top Twitter headline).
The last movie ticket you bought.
The receipt from the last time you went shopping.

You can also list your favorite things, and then see if they’ve changed by the end of college. Here are a few ideas for lists you can include in your time capsule:

Your favorite foods.
Your favorite musicians.
Your favorite movies.
Your favorite memories.
Your favorite teachers.
Your favorite video games, board games, and card games.
Your favorite restaurants/fast food places.
The current funniest memes.
Who you follow on social media right now.

And why not spice it up with some drama? Tell your future self what your biggest worries and problems are right now. Maybe later on, they’ll look a little less scary!

2. Have a presentation night with your friends.

One of my favorite things that my friends and I have ever done was a slideshow night. Each of us prepared a PowerPoint, then presented it in front of the group. Mine was book-themed… are we surprised?

There are so many different ideas for your presentation theme. A few of the funniest ones I’ve found:

There’s also a “poll” themed night, where the group is asked a question, and everyone votes their answers. They can be friend-related – like, “Who’s the grandma of the friend group?” – or just general, fun polls.

You can use Instagram to collect everybody’s answers. Otherwise, there are plenty of free-to-use poll apps and websites out there, like Pollie.

3. Movie binge.

We’ll get into the great outdoors in a moment, but for now, here are some classic film series to watch! Don’t forget your Beyonce Renaissance Tour Popcorn Bucket. (Just me? Okay…)

The Lord of the Rings (my personal favorite).
All of the Studio Ghibli movies.
Star Wars.
Pirates of the Caribbean (I recently rewatched these, and… are you kidding? They’re SO good!)
Harry Potter.
The Hunger Games.
The Dark Knight trilogy.
The Despicable Me/Minions franchise (don’t judge… I’m obsessed with these).
The Jurassic Park movies.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). (Skip over The Hulk…)
The Godzilla franchise (see above).

4. Camping.

Camping is one of the best ways to bond with your friends. There are plenty of cheap (or even free) campsites all over the place, even if it’s a little bit of a drive.

During my senior summer, I went beach camping with my best friend, and waking up to the sound of the ocean is such a vibe. (Be sure to watch high tide, though…) One tip for beach camping with long hair is that my best friend braided hers, and mine ended up looking like a rat’s nest.

Sunrise at beach camping. (Not my RV. I wish, tho…)

Here are a few of the most essential items to pack for camping, but there are a lot of more comprehensive lists out there!

Bug spray (trust me. This needs to be #1).
Sunscreen.
Extra clothes.
Flashlights.
Sleeping bags and pillows.

And make sure your tent is waterproof! You never know when it’s gonna rain…

5. Learn a new skill.

From skateboarding to knitting, there are so many fun skills you can spend your summer perfecting! As Brittany Broski says, “Never stop learning. Always be a student of life.”

I recently went down an art history rabbit hole. I never understood Vincent Van Gogh until I found this amazing YouTube channel: Great Art Explained!

1. Cooking.

You’ll probably have a meal plan at college, but it never hurts to have some quick and easy recipes on hand. We’ll be posting a blog post about fun recipes to make in your dorm, and we’ll update this article with the link.

2. Learn a new language.

Being multilingual is one of the most valuable skills a person can possess in this world. It makes it easier to connect with people, travel to new places, and learn about other cultures. One of my college roommates was Mexican, and I was always so jealous of her ability to speak Spanish with other people.

You’ll need a language credit during college anyway, so might as well get a head start!

3. Juggling.

This will drive the college kids wild, guaranteed… we’re very easily entertained.

4. Learn how to dance.

I would mention that there are a bazillion cheap and fun dance classes out there, but you’ve got one right in your house: social media!

Punch in a type of dance into the search bar of any social media platform, and enjoy the thousands of creators with dance tutorials posted to their profiles. TikTok dances are easy and short, but it might also be fun to try more traditional dance forms.

I’m currently trying to teach myself how to salsa… there’s a reason why I’m a writer, and not a salsa queen. Yet.

5. Meditate.

That college stress is coming, so it’s always good to have a few mental health strategies in your toolkit! Meditating is an easy way to feel grounded in your body and self. And the best part: you can do it anywhere, at any time! (Maybe not while you’re driving, but you get what I mean.)

So, there you have it. Just a few fun and simple ways to spend your college summer. Leave us a comment with any other ideas y’all have!

Tag: college