Chill out, College: Most Laid-Back Campuses?

Hi all, I'm definitely not looking for a pressure cooker environment once I hit campus, so I'm wondering which colleges are more laid back? I've heard tales of chill campuses where students are less hyper-competitive and more relaxed. Can you suggest some?

There are definitely plenty of universities out there that offer a more relaxed atmosphere along with quality education. Here are a few that usually come up in these discussions:

- Reed College: This liberal arts college in Oregon is known for having a relaxed environment. While academics at Reed are serious, the campus culture values independence, creativity, and a balanced lifestyle. It's also set in the beautiful city of Portland, which has a laid-back vibe itself.

- University of California, Santa Cruz: This school is often associated with an easy-going environment. Located in the middle of a forest and overlooking a beach, the setting itself encourages relaxation. The campus has a unique college system and offers pass/no-pass grading options to reduce academic pressures.

- Colorado College: Based in Colorado Springs, Colorado College operates on a block plan, where students take one course at a time over a three-and-a-half week "block." This can provide a different kind of academic stress but also allows for in-depth exploration and concentrated focus on one subject, which many students find liberating.

- Sarah Lawrence College: This liberal arts college in New York is known for its low-stress approach to grades. Inspired by Oxford University, Sarah Lawrence operates on a don system, where students have an academic advisor (or don) guiding their education path. They also offer written evaluations instead of grades, encouraging a love-of-learning over grade-centric mentality.

- Pitzer College: It's one of the Claremont Colleges in California. Pitzer has a strong focus on arts and humanities, and the overall atmosphere is relaxed and collaborative. The school has a reputation for encouraging creativity and social activism amongst its students instead of pressuring them to compete academically.

These are just a handful of examples and should get you started in your research. Good luck!