How to Survive a Conservative Private College as a Liberal Student

Whether you realized you were a liberal or not when you registered to attend classes at a conservative college may make no difference now. Students who attend private colleges often find themselves in the midst of a moral dilemma after classes are well underway. While staying might feel like a betrayal to your own values and beliefs, leaving college isn't always that simple. When financial aid, dorm rooms and scholarships are involved, dropping classes isn't always an option.

The good news is, being a liberal student or even a semi-liberal (yes, the phrase does exist) at a conservative private college can teach you a great deal about who you are. You'll be forced to give your beliefs and positions a second glance and defend your stance on every issue. However, while invigorating, the process can get downright exhausting. To better prepare yourself for surviving in your new conservative world for the next four years, consider the following tips.

First, back up your beliefs with facts, rather than simple convictions. While your position on an issue might feel right to you, that feeling won't be enough in a heated classroom discussion. Do a little research on the major issues that you know will confront you at a private conservative college (women's rights, abortion, gay rights, church and state, etc) and have a thorough understanding of why you believe what you do. Doing so will help prevent otherwise embarrassing episodes in the classroom.

Next, while it may be difficult, do try not to turn academic discussions into "conversion" fights. Even the most highly educated conservatives and liberals can turn an otherwise civil conversation into a "my way or the highway" confrontation. Rather than trying to change someone else's mind by arguing, present your position, back it up, and listen. Yes, you'll find yourself frustrated, however only when both parties can speak can anything truly be accomplished. If we are to find the best answers to the questions we are faced with as a society, we must be willing to listen to all viewpoints. In other words, try not to kill anyone.

On that note, most discussions with those who believe differently from you will not end with one party changing their mind. Believe it or not, that's ok. We need different opinions and views in order to keep our options open, so don't be discouraged if you haven't convinced an entire student body to believe exactly as you do before graduation. Agree to disagree. The point is for all students, conservative and liberal, to discover why they feel the way they do about certain issues, and to try to figure out what is best and fair for all.

Finally, understand that you will almost certainly face classroom discussions, homework assignments, and lectures that may completely go against everything you believe in. Unfortunately for you, private conservative colleges are allowed to create coursework designed to coincide with their philosophies and unique beliefs (you did apply to the college, after all). It is assumed that students will have no problems with this, and most won't, but if you should feel that taking on an assignment goes against your beliefs you must make it known. Sometimes you'll be given a pardon from the discussion or assignment, other times you'll take a zero. However, hopefully you will quickly learn that the best route is to take on all assignments and complete them based on your personal views. For example, if you are asked to write a paper on how one can defend an issue that you feel should not be defended, write what you believe. Most professors will respect your decision.

Remember, being a liberal student at a conservative private college can generate a great deal of good for others. Forcing yourself and your classmates to further examine and defend your beliefs will help all of you grow into more confident individuals. Not only that, but you may find that there really is common ground to be found by working with each other on issues that remain unsolved today.