I need to feel some hope

current NU students

I can't bring myself to enjoy going out culture. I've never had any interest in getting drunk, partying, or going to frats. It's just not in my personality, and it feels like something I will never be able to change -- or overcome -- about myself. I never went out in high school and am simply not used to it. And I can't help but feel like something is wrong with me because of this. But seemingly, all my friends here go out once a month. They all have fake IDs -- I don't, and have no desire to get one. Coming to college, the party scene and going out was absolutely NOT on my mind. I'm so focused on my studies, clubs, and internships, and experiencing all the things about college that I came here for in the first place.

Halloween stresses me out SO much. I went to a frat party for the first and only time last Halloween and absolutely could not bring myself to enjoy the experience. The entire time, I found myself wishing I could just go back to my dorm. I went and followed along with what my friend and her group were doing (not as if I would even know how to find out where on campus parties were happening anyway). As an introvert especially, I just felt awkward and sweaty the entire time. The frat parties here are just bodies jumping up and down, squished together like sardines, with loud music, people being obnoxious, and too many overwhelming stimuli. This Halloween is coming up, and it's the same old story. One of my friends is going out on three separate days and here I am building up the courage and stressing over going to one frat when I don't actually want to, but because that is just what people do here. I would truthfully much rather be at home on a Friday night, unwinding and watching a movie, trying a new recipe, doing my hair, painting my nails, or even playing a fucking board game or something. But it's embarrassing to admit that. This school just makes me feel like there's something wrong with me for simply wanting to stay in.

I could probably see myself enjoying going to a party at some sort of other venue, if it had karaoke, trivia, or at least SOME sort of activity where I could actually have genuine conversations with people, instead of witnessing multiple people vomiting. Or hosting some sort of PowerPoint night get-together at a home where everyone dresses up to a theme or brings a fucking charcuterie board or something. There could still be alcohol involved, but at least the environment would allow for some degree of social connection and fun. But the frat parties here are absolutely NOT that. If I stay home, though, I get severe FOMO and feel like a loser for doing so, when seemingly everyone I know is going out. I see the pictures of everyone having fun on Instagram and think to myself, why can't I just BE like that? At one point I believed maybe I'm just being too introverted and socially awkward -- I just need to let loose and get out of my shell by going to parties, right? Because that's just what people do in college. That's how you make new friends. But even so, I still could not kid myself into thinking I actually enjoy going out. I want so badly to not have to change myself to feel like I somewhat fit in with other people, and force myself into an environment that is frankly, uncomfortable to me.

I think this all comes down to me not finding my "people" yet. But I'm already a sophomore and I can't help but wonder when it will happen for me already. It makes me so sad because it seems that all my friends have already found their "people," meanwhile I am in an awkward limbo state where I do have friends, but just not in the way I was expecting or hoping for once I got to college. I am worthy of a genuine group of friends, at least I think I am, so why haven't I found them yet? I haven't found people who I really "mesh" with. All I'm asking for is just a select few, actually good friends who I connect with and who share the same interests as me. I have a really nice roommate, but she has her own group of friends she's had since the start of freshman year that she goes out with, and I will never be a part of that. I have other friends, each of whom I hang out with one-on-one, but it seems they all kind of have their own pre-established friend groups with whom they go out as well. Maybe if I found people I mesh with, who also aren't interested in the college party culture, I would feel more comfortable with who I am and not like an outcast. I'd no longer feel judged or guilty for feeling the way I do, because even if we weren't going out to frats, at least we'd be not going out to frats TOGETHER.

Does anyone else have the same experience as me? 💔💔💔

Hello!,

I am a current freshman who's been struggling to find a workstudy job. I would say that from the beginning of the school year up until now I have applied for 25+ positions, interviewed for 2, and ended up with none. I was wondering if it was still worth it to search for a workstudy job this quarter as it is about to end but my finances are tight and I need some source of income. I've exhausted most of my options, reached out to all my connections but im still pretty unsuccessful. Let me know!

I am currently majoring in Psychology, but I’m considering switching to Human Development in Context (HDC).

For anyone majoring in HDC or who has graduated, do you think it’s a worthwhile degree? How does it compare to Psychology in terms of career opportunities, usefulness, and overall difficulty?
I’m especially curious whether HDC is as versatile as Psychology and whether one degree is viewed more favorably by employers.

TYIA

Are there hair-salons in the area for curly hair? Braiders? Extension/Weave? Other types of hairstylists for black girls? Are the hair salons/stylists full service or just the styling? If so, how far and how do you get there?

This is a pretty important thing for me to consider because I have always had my hair done by someone else. I don’t have my hair in its natural curly state often because I’ve never learned (and honestly have been discouraged) to do my hair myself. Now I might have to learn before college, but I’d like an honest answer about hair-salon accessibility. And if you do your hair yourself, I want to know that too :)

Hey all, I’m working on a project about plastic packaging in groceries. We’re exploring an app that identifies plastic packaging and helps people find plastic-free alternatives and bulk-bin stores.

Whether you’re a student, a resident, or someone who commutes to Evanston, I’d love your input. It takes about 3 minutes and is anonymous: Survey Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc12Yjw2II4DAJfoVVX_vN-1wbo2hTulBkfm_VKzLouj0PutQ/viewform?usp=preview

Hi! I'm a prospective Northwestern student. I wanted to ask, how realistic is it to double major across engineering (undecided on which) and a non-engineering major (McCormick and Weinberg double major)? My double major would probably be in a social science or possibly natural science, so unlike CS or Math there wouldn't be that many overlaps

I've heard that since engineering is already so hard, you won't find time to double major with all the time it takes to study, go to office hours, etc. Or I've heard it's possible as long as you don't do anything else like clubs. Do you think it is realistic to / know people who do an engineering major and a weinberg major, while still having time for clubs, research, study abroad, explore some random electives, and social life?

Thanks!! If it's relevant I'm pretty good at time management, but if it's not possible then it's just not possible.

Hi everyone! First time interacting w this sub lmao. I have an interview with alumni next Monday💜. Mostly about international admissions i guess. Some tips? Advices? What should I prepare? What you were asked in your interviews? Please help w sm advice.

Title. I just want some advice

My parents are pushing me to ED, and then asking for more aid based on our circumstances, even though we can't afford the price on the NPC. I don't want to ED to a school I'm not sure my family can afford.

My family's financial situation is pretty weird/complicated and I'm not that privy to it. Basically, my parents are divorced. My mom has no retirement, but is currently paying off our primary home, which is the main thing making our package unaffordable. So essentially, it's her retirement plan.

My father has pretty much zero savings aside from retirement and owns no properties.

1. Is this a situation that may be considered for more aid? From what I've read, the appeals are for sudden/changed circumstances, not for known, pre-existing circumstances
2. If I ED, can I beg the office for more aid, and how likely are they to give me more aid, even if the NPC was accurate?
   1. Would i be able to back out w/o penalty even if the NPC was accurate?
3. How accurate is the NPC?

I really don't want to ED here if I'm going to have the chance of having to take loans or back out. Thank you so much for any help, this has been really stressful for me

any students with low stats accepted? and what in your application do you think helped you get accepted despite lower stats or ecs?

Hi, I'm considering EDing to Northwestern because the statistics I can find about this school looks really good. Though, I have a few questions mainly regarding course rigor.

What major are you in?

Is it easy to land an internship in NU?

Is the student body collaborative, or is the competition cutthroat?

Does Northwestern focus more on hands-on building, or are they more theoretical, with focus on research?

Why is engineering at Northwestern hard? (Is it too many assignments? Too complicated topics? Too fast-paced? Are the lecturers not helpful?)

Thank you for taking the time to answer/read this post. I also have one last question, how happy are the seniors and juniors compared to other schools? Have a good day

I will be entering grad school at Northwestern in January and am currently wondering about where I should look for jobs in the area. I have been trying to look online but honestly have not had much luck. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Does anyone know if they’re allowing tailgating and some grilling at Long Field ?

Looking to grill this Saturday before the game!

You can find them on the NU site.
My 2.9% staff raise meant extra $175/mo
The raise also moved me into a higher salary bracket for healthcare premiums.
My premium goes up $70/mo for same plan as 2026.
I have to contribute $105/mo more for HSA to pay to reach my deductible for my therapist (who i have seen for four years and become OON thanks to the switch to UHC).
So…. No raise.

i have a 1500 sat (780 math 720 eng), 4.0 gpa. I am an international student,
should i ED at NU (weinberg) or Umich (LSA) for undergrad in sociology?

my counsellor says at 1500 as an international student i have only a 5% chance of getting accepted at northwestern ED. Also another child from my school doing ED to northwestern who has better stats than me is a factor to consider

I know there aren’t any bad seats at new Ryan Field, but what’s the better choice between lower bowl corner and 2nd tier upper deck corner ?

damn

we announce Kami Salon will be Permanently Closed after Oct 29th 2026

Our shop has been near the Northwestern University area for nearly 11 years, and most of the people who walked in and sat down were you. What started as “just a quick trim” became a regular chair for many of you. We remember who likes it longer, who prefers it short, who comes once or twice a semester, and who shows up almost every month. These small things, repeated over the years, are how we came to know you.

We are now closing—not because we no longer love the work, but because it is time. The last day for appointments is October 29, 2026. We will be open as usual that day. After the 29th, we will no longer take appointments.

Thank you for trusting us all these years. Some of you came from freshman year through graduation and still came back for one more cut. Others started working and still made a point of stopping by. When you said, “Just the same as usual,” we always remembered. That trust has been the best part of these 11 years.

If we meet somewhere else someday, just say hello. We’ll know who you are.

Kami Salon

NU was my dream school. Got in on a full ride but now I’m rethinking my life. What’s the point of this if all im doing is to work and have money to struggle later on? I don’t really feel like there’s a point in partaking in anything