When Harrison began college at age 18, he was described as "less than striking" in appearance, "below middle height," and "his face, though engaging, was rather homely."
He was among the earliest enrollees for the premier term of the University of Virginia in 1825—his older brother Edward and friend Henry Tutwiler entered as well.

As opposed to other educators who assigned to their programs a distinct role for religion, Thomas Jefferson, the university's founder, and author of the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, felt that religious activities and studies at the school should be voluntary.
This did not deter the pious Harrison or his father regarding Harrison's attendance.
On the other hand, Harrison's religious convictions did in one instance have their effect.
Jefferson regularly invited students to Monticello for dinner on Sundays, but when the invitation was extended to Harrison and his brother, they explicitly declined, as dutiful Christians, in order to avoid a desecration of the Sabbath and a betrayal of their father.
Jefferson was moved by this, and as Broadus relates, he sent them a note to the effect that it gave him "the highest gratification and consolation in old age, to meet with such an instance of filial piety; to find young men showing such respect for their father’s opinions, at a time when too many of the young are inclined to disregard the counsels of age and the wishes of parents."
Jefferson ended the note with an invitation to join him for dinner during the week, which the brothers accepted.

As a student, Harrison balked at the use of profanity and lewd behavior, and this readily brought a degree of isolation from his contemporaries, particularly the more truculent students.
Some even resented his attitude, but as he told his father, "their enmity is better infinitely than their friendship purchased at the high price of virtue."

Harrison followed his father's example and undertook medical courses though he found they presented him with a difficult challenge; nevertheless, he received an M.D. degree in 1827.
He also took courses in the Ancient Languages department, headed by Prof. George Long; he distinguished himself in Latin, Greek, and French and was awarded an LL.D. in 1828.
His classmates in Senior Latin and French included Edgar Allan Poe.
When Long left the school the same year, he recommended Harrison as his successor, saying the school should "not find it necessary to apply to England for that which they already possess."
When Harrison began college at age 18, he was described as "less than striking" in appearance, "below middle height," and "his face, though engaging, was rather homely." He was among the earliest enrollees for the premier term of the University of Virginia in 1825—his older brother Edward and friend Henry Tutwiler entered as well.
As opposed to other educators who assigned to their programs a distinct role for religion, Thomas Jefferson, the university's founder, and author of the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, felt that religious activities and studies at the school should be voluntary. This did not deter the pious Harrison or his father regarding Harrison's attendance. On the other hand, Harrison's religious convictions did in one instance have their effect. Jefferson regularly invited students to Monticello for dinner on Sundays, but when the invitation was extended to Harrison and his brother, they explicitly declined, as dutiful Christians, in order to avoid a desecration of the Sabbath and a betrayal of their father. Jefferson was moved by this, and as Broadus relates, he sent them a note to the effect that it gave him "the highest gratification and consolation in old age, to meet with such an instance of filial piety; to find young men showing such respect for their father’s opinions, at a time when too many of the young are inclined to disregard the counsels of age and the wishes of parents." Jefferson ended the note with an invitation to join him for dinner during the week, which the brothers accepted.
As a student, Harrison balked at the use of profanity and lewd behavior, and this readily brought a degree of isolation from his contemporaries, particularly the more truculent students. Some even resented his attitude, but as he told his father, "their enmity is better infinitely than their friendship purchased at the high price of virtue."
Harrison followed his father's example and undertook medical courses though he found they presented him with a difficult challenge; nevertheless, he received an M.D. degree in 1827. He also took courses in the Ancient Languages department, headed by Prof. George Long; he distinguished himself in Latin, Greek, and French and was awarded an LL.D. in 1828. His classmates in Senior Latin and French included Edgar Allan Poe. When Long left the school the same year, he recommended Harrison as his successor, saying the school should "not find it necessary to apply to England for that which they already possess."
Gessner Harrison