Think back to when you first started applying to schools and sent in your application to Penn State. Maybe it was your dream school and the only place you applied to. Maybe Penn State was at the bottom of your list, and you did not put much consideration towards it. Nonetheless, at one point you may have thought about the large size of Penn State. This might have created some intimidation, but many have found that it does not end up feeling that big at all.
Intimidating Or Intimate?
The idea of a big school can excite some people and terrify others, both for good reasons. As one of the largest colleges in the state of Pennsylvania, Penn State is home to A LOT of students. Coming into your first year can seem daunting and hard to navigate. You start to question if you will feel like just another nameless face in the crowd. This idea quickly starts to diminish, however, as you meet more people and develop more connections.
Make Yourself Known
The key to making Penn State more intimate is becoming involved. There are hundreds of clubs and organizations for students to join that are tailored to each person’s interest. If you find yourself feeling lost and lonely, take advantage of the resources at school and connect with fellow students who share the same passions as you.
Once you put yourself out there, as hard as it is, you will soon come to learn this school is a lot smaller than you think.
One Person Away
By embracing your interests and getting involved with the school, you will realize we are all just one or two people away from each other. There is something comforting about talking to a stranger and realizing you have a mutual friend. At a school this size, you might be thinking that never happens, but it happens more often than you would think. Especially when you meet people with similar passions, they will also know others who share them.
Connecting with people is one of the biggest benefits colleges can provide. There is no other time in your life when you are surrounded by so many people your age with such similar goals. Yes, college can be extremely challenging, but making yourself feel more familiar in your space can help drastically.
The thought that we are all just a person away from knowing each other makes both Penn State and college as a whole feel a lot less intimidating. By making one connection, you are one step closer to connecting with so many others.
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