I'm finishing my sophomore year at Tougaloo. I tell people I love it. And I do. But I want to be honest about the hard parts too. Because no one told me, and I wish they had. 
The hard parts:
The facilities are old. Like, really old. Some buildings haven't been updated since the 1970s. The science labs are functional but not fancy. The dorms are small. The Wi-Fi is... unpredictable.
The food is fine. Not great. Fine. You'll get tired of it.
The location is isolated. Tougaloo is technically in Jackson, but it's in a quiet part. You need a car to do anything interesting. Without a car, you're stuck on campus.
The social scene is limited. There are parties — but not many. You'll see the same faces every weekend. If you have drama with someone, you can't avoid them.
The good parts:
The professors are incredible. I mean it. They are here because they want to be. They could make more money elsewhere. They stay because they believe in Tougaloo. They will push you. They will challenge you. They will also feed you when you're hungry. I've had three professors bring me food this semester.
The community is real. When my grandfather died last fall, I didn't have to tell anyone. Word spread. People showed up. Professors gave me extensions without asking. Students brought me food. I have never felt so supported.
The legacy matters. Every day, I walk past buildings where Medgar Evers spoke. Every day, I remember why this place exists. It's not heavy. It's grounding.
Here's my bottom line: Tougaloo is not for everyone. If you want shiny facilities and a vibrant party scene, go somewhere else. But if you want professors who know your name and a community that feels like family? Come to Tougaloo.
Just bring a hot spot for when the Wi-Fi fails
The hard parts:
The facilities are old. Like, really old. Some buildings haven't been updated since the 1970s. The science labs are functional but not fancy. The dorms are small. The Wi-Fi is... unpredictable.
The food is fine. Not great. Fine. You'll get tired of it.
The location is isolated. Tougaloo is technically in Jackson, but it's in a quiet part. You need a car to do anything interesting. Without a car, you're stuck on campus.
The social scene is limited. There are parties — but not many. You'll see the same faces every weekend. If you have drama with someone, you can't avoid them.
The good parts:
The professors are incredible. I mean it. They are here because they want to be. They could make more money elsewhere. They stay because they believe in Tougaloo. They will push you. They will challenge you. They will also feed you when you're hungry. I've had three professors bring me food this semester.
The community is real. When my grandfather died last fall, I didn't have to tell anyone. Word spread. People showed up. Professors gave me extensions without asking. Students brought me food. I have never felt so supported.
The legacy matters. Every day, I walk past buildings where Medgar Evers spoke. Every day, I remember why this place exists. It's not heavy. It's grounding.
Here's my bottom line: Tougaloo is not for everyone. If you want shiny facilities and a vibrant party scene, go somewhere else. But if you want professors who know your name and a community that feels like family? Come to Tougaloo.
Just bring a hot spot for when the Wi-Fi fails
