Truman State University Top Questions

Going to Truman State University was one of the best decisions of my life. Every individuals that comes to Truman is driven by scholarly ambitions and a love for learning. The student body consists a wide variety of personalities that are mixed together in Kirksville, MO. To put it simpyl, we are a melting pot of uniqueness. Everyone here knows how to embrace their "nerdy" side. I mean 'nerdy' in the best way possible. Every person at Truman is deeply passionate about something. It may be something as simple as Humans vs. Zombies and it may be as complex as microbiology. Whatever it is, everyone is driven by something they love. I am glad to call myself a Bulldog because I know that every last person I meet at Truman is going to have an amazing impact on the world.

I'll admit it, I have thought about transferring to an easier college, because the professors here at Truman do make you work quite hard for your classes. But I love the atmosphere here. I love the people, and I love that my professors actually care about me as a person and know my name. I love that I am challenged every day - even if it means losing some sleep or passing on an opportunity to hang out with friends. I don't want to be anywhere else. Truman has so much to offer me, which would be very difficult to find at another university without the low cost, proximity to home, and academic expectations. It may be hard, but I still have time to be involved in campus organizations and have an awesome group of friends here. Truman is right in the middle of the city of Kirksville, which really is a decent town. For being on the small side, K-Ville has a lot to offer; it just depends on what you are looking for. The Square (the heart of downtown) is just two blocks north of Truman's campus, which is really nice for going to the coffee shop, retail stores, restaurants, or movie theater.

Truman isn't the smallest school ever, but at around 5000 students in attendance it isn't impossible to get yourself lost in the croud some days. I must admit, it is the perfect location for myself, since it is about 6+ hours away form (Chiacgo) home. Close enough that I could get home, but far enough away that I don't really feel the need. My parents feel exactly the same way; as such, I get more freedom attending University than anywhere else. The down-side to having such a (not large?) population in the middle of no-where results in a town that is sub-par for those growing up in suburbia, let alone Chicago Proper. Many of my friends have spent A summer there, and will never do so again; citing the total lack of ANYTHING to do between May and July. Apart from those faults, it is my second home - while I disagree with many things that the Residential Living Department(herafter 'res-life'), I can't help but note how at home I feel given the number of people that I have met there. From the sorting done in the dorms for incoming freshman to the amount that SA's acctually give a damn about you even after you've left is more than a little heart-felt kindess. Connection to the school itself (outside of academics) is lacking, as unless you put alot of work into school pride activites you wont get much of anything back; yet due to the volume of people that you learn to care about at university, and how compact the town is, it is hard to leave each summer. Every school has its quirks; that is a big part of defining that college/university. Being so remote, and with so much of its population coming from St. Louis, or another city, everyone make thier own fun. I may be bias, but I have spent little time with the Greek community, and yet I'm never board. This is due moslty to the creativity of students throughout, and the willingness of the Faculty to sponsor student run orginizations. I have only spent time with about 30-odd groups, but everyone brings something to the table. Especially the zombies. Starting last fall, there are over a hundred Truman student that proudly participate in Humans vs. Zombies; a week+ long game of tag that involves reverting yourself into a 5 year old with a nerf gun, running around campus, forming coalitions, and hoping your newly tagged room-mate won't grab you on your way to class. Not that many people participate in activities such as this; generally only 100-200 can find the time. Yet, this and other experiences like it make my university, Truman State, a home all its own.

The size of the school is good, however I would expect that a smaller college would be able to run itself more effeciently that a larger, more unweildy, institution. Truman manages to prove this assumption wrong at every opprotunity that presents itself with the uncompromising ineptitude that is now leading the administration and the astounding beuracracy that pervades every level of this university's offices. I spend most of my time in the music building and often claim that it owns my soul. Kirksville is not a college town. It is almost entirely devoid of anything to do. There is no "most frequent student complaint" because the students are generally clammoring for all sorts of changes that the administration needs to make at a pretty equal and deafening rate, yet the adminstration does nothing to heed the cry of the students.

Truman is just the right size for me, not over whelming like MU was, or too small to do anything like many community colleges. Having lived in kirksville my whole life, I know that it's not the most entertaining place on the planet, but if you know how to make your own fun it can be great. I love having the small town atmosphere and not worrying too much about walking to or from anywhere on campus or across town, even at night.

Truman is just the right size. Everyday on campus you see someone you know. And yet, in my senior year, I am still meeting new people all the time. Kirksville is small (especially coming from St. Louis) and life is a bit slow here, but there's nothing wrong with slowing down for a few years and enjoying your time in college. The library is gorgeous and is really a wonderful place to study. People at TSU go to the library for one of three reasons: to get work done, to socialize, or to attempt to do both. The thing that drew me to Truman and still amazes me about it is how normal the student body is. We've all come from different backgrounds. Everyone is smart in their own way and everyone brings something original to the table. Truman is full of Type A personalities, but Type A's that know how to work hard AND play hard.

Truman is found in Kirksville, Missouri, which is known mostly for Truman. It's a tiny, quaint town that is nice to go to school in but most agree they wouldn't want to live there forever. The majority of the school year the students are buried in snow, but during the most inconvenient times better weather does come. Move-in week in August is always scorching and during the last few weeks of school, when all we do is study for our finals, all the spring flowers bloom and the weather is beautiful.

Truman is a great campus...well, at least I feel that way. Most of the buildings are new or are under renovation, which means the facilities are well equipped. This, as well as a student body in the 5k-6k range creates a fairly easy campus to navigate, make friends, and enjoy yourself while you are in college. The biggest complaint from most people tends to be the town of Kirksville. The majority of students are originally from the St. Louis or Kansas City area. The transition from the city to the small town environment is a little bit of a culture shock for some (that is, until they discover Wal-Mart has everything you will ever need.)

My school is just right for someone that wants a smaller class where the teachers are more likely to know your name and use it on a daily or class basis. Truman is difficult yes, but the most important thing is get help if you need it right off the bat don't wait and don't think that you can do it on your own. There is not much school pride since the sports and athletics are not the best. We are more dedicated to our academic careers.

Truman is the perfect size- not too big, not too small. The campus is beautiful. Something that Truman lacks is school spirit.