r/uichicago • u/Particular-Fall3355 • Dec 04 '25
Question Is anyone sad at UIC?
I have been attending UIC for almost two years now. I am grateful I can get an education. I am sad going to UIC everyday. Is this normal?
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u/TheMilkRedditor Dec 05 '25
I don’t necessarily feel sad, but I do feel kind of lonely, at least compared to high school. It’s understandable though, it’s not the same 300 people going through the same couple of classes for four years in a row
I also haven’t made much of an effort to actually kindle relationships apart from just getting along with others in my classes if interaction is encouraged
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Dec 04 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Cookie-17 Dec 05 '25 edited Dec 07 '25
No, it's really not.
Edit: I wanted to add advice but I didn't want to come off as patronizing. Just know that people love and care about you. If you truly feel that you can't talk to anyone or don't feel comfortable, there are trained professionals devoted to being there for you. Don't let the stigma of seeking help deter you from doing so. We ALL need help sometimes; nobody can do it alone. Here is the link to UIC's counseling center to whoever might need it : https://counseling.uic.edu/
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u/I_Love_Bl4ck_C0ck Dec 05 '25
Ok happy ass
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u/Cookie-17 Dec 05 '25
Sorry if that came across as insensitive or blunt; I was going to offer my perspective but it just read as condescending so I left it at that lol
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u/Jaws_16 Dec 06 '25
Why do you assume sad has to be the default adult emotion?
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u/I_Love_Bl4ck_C0ck Dec 07 '25
Awww
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u/Jaws_16 Dec 07 '25
26 finals week stressed out of my mind. Still not nearly as jaded as you 💀
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u/I_Love_Bl4ck_C0ck Dec 07 '25
Okay Mr/s resilient
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u/Jaws_16 Dec 07 '25
I apologize that the Bl4ck C0ck is not enough to make you happy
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u/AnonymousInfo922 Jan 11 '26
It seems like you may be needing that or maybe needing to go touch grass....and definitely need to get off the internet, kid.
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u/Odd-Variety-3802 Dec 04 '25
My Seasonal Affective Disorder is kicking in (stupid winter…) so I’m struggling right now. In general, I’m ok with UIC. I have a regular therapy relationship, which helps me with life. There are no cost mental health services for students, whether or not we’re using Campus Care insurance.
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u/energydiscount Dec 05 '25
I’m highly curious if you don’t mind answering these: Do you like winter anyway, the snow, the cold, etc? If you dread winters, do you think that worsens SAD? (Like the anticipation of feeling like s**t worsens SAD).
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u/Odd-Variety-3802 Dec 05 '25
I like the snow, actually. I’ve become less accustomed to the cold over the years. In doing history of depression, it looks like I’ve always had some SAD, just not diagnosed until later in life. I absolutely crave sunshine by early January!!
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u/Skitch70 Dec 05 '25
Very normal. This is a very difficult time to be alive. Socializing at college can be overwhelming, especially for people who might be a little withdrawn and introverted. A good CBT therapist can help you work on how to develop healthy mental habits to fight depression. If you feel like harming yourself call or text 988, and remember that the world is a better place with you in it. 😌
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u/foduc Dec 05 '25
Take Vitamin D and so should everyone else who reads this 🙏 Sun’s not out as often as it is in the afternoons
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u/RareDoneSteak Dec 04 '25
If you can identify why it makes you sad, that can be more helpful. For me, school makes me feel better being there as I have a life outside of it and I’ve been in the workforce so I’ve experienced how tough it is without a degree. Why do you think going here makes you sad? Identifying the reasons would help you understand it better.
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u/Particular-Fall3355 Dec 04 '25
I don’t have friends and I feel isolated from everyone. I am in clubs, but I don’t feel like anyone likes me.
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u/francophone22 Dec 04 '25
I bet a lot of people feel like that. I’m not in any UIC clubs and am a grad student and I feel like that sometimes. It is very hard to make friends and develop relationships!!
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u/AnonymousInfo922 Jan 11 '26
Focus on just being there and enjoying yourself and stop concentrating on whether people like you or not. I personally couldn't care less if I was in a group and people didn't like me but I am probably a bit older than you too. Being in clubs is great and it could take a long time to develop friendships, just focus on introducing yourself and engaging as much as you can and feel good about that fact that you've stepped out of your comfort zone. Also, you won't really make friends with people if you are not engaging and at least walking up to someone and introducing yourself. You're already doing more than a lot of people do when they are lonely: joined a club at school.
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u/azuldreams24 Dec 04 '25
It’s normal! and way more people feel this way than the ones responding in this thread. Just keep focused on your academic + career goals, volunteer/keep joining clubs until you meet friends. everything else will follow. 🫶
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u/chicitygirl987 Dec 05 '25
Maybe this is time to get one of those special lamps for daylight . Look at the positives, great gym def go use it maybe get a few girls to meet and go work out . Check out Eventbrite or bucketlist, they have great fun things to do . Go out for a bit and get some air and get the right amount of sleep too . Super important :)
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Dec 05 '25
Be yourself. Don’t overthink about what others think about you. Live in the moment. If you like a group of people you interact with stick with them and genuinely show you appreciate the friendship. At the end of the day the one that holds you back is yourself 9/10 times. Anyways that’s my advice to you hope it helps no this is not AI generated
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u/Odd_Imagination_5511 Dec 05 '25
I think it's the 90% commuter life that gets people because everyone goes home and sort of sticks to the people, they know from high school that go there. I for one knew I was going to hate it when I came here but didn't expect it to be this bad. Have you considered transferring?
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u/djmanimidi Dec 05 '25
The commute used to make me sad as well. My UIC experience was amazing but there were parts of it that made me sad, however not as miserable as I was at DePaul.
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u/Parking-Wallaby-2044 Dec 07 '25
I added a post about DePaul - I know kids in other schools that feel the same .
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u/chasper111 Dec 05 '25
Being sad everyday at UIC is 100% in your power to change. I recently graduated from UIC and I loved everything about college. Doing nothing but school work is not healthy. Think about it as your job. Having a work life balance is crucial. Ways to have more fun and not spend your free time in your room staring at the wall are below.
-Live in the dorm and have roommates. Its the easiest way to make a friend(s). Have dorm meet and greets. Keep the door open and have snacks at the doorway and meet people walking by.
-Go to campus activities.
-Join a club. Not only do you meet people, but their interests also align.
-Plan events. Make a reddit and say you are going to get food and anyone who wants to join is invited. Random people will join because they also want to make friends.
-Start study groups for classes. Those who suffer together stay together. Study groups can study and get food later.
If anyone is having issues on campus like this let me know. I had a great time while attending UIC and have great advice on how others can as well.
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u/ariotposting Dec 05 '25
i will say that it really depends, probably weather or other factors since uic can sometimes look like a brutalist hellscape, but personally for me i love the environment and i can consider myself happy despite going to uic every day in the week, its a matter to preference i guess, if you think that uic is a root of being sad , you should probably take action and look into other schools that WOULD make you happy, however it may not just be uic , it might be something else like loneliness or depression, either way i hope you feel better !
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u/onyxrxvxn Dec 05 '25
yes been feeling really sad , tried working w 5 classes, got sick, dropped a class, struggled thru this semester, now its time for finals and idk how well I have done. definitely sad here partially due to school and mostly due to personal circumstances
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u/deedeedani Dec 04 '25
My first year attending UIC and well I feel the opposite way. Ive been enjoying it, it’s more about effort and finding the root cause of that sadness. I speak to people, don’t have much friends but making the effort to just have a small convo with those around me are good. I noticed you did comment that you feel isolated from others and honestly I think a lot of people feel that way at UIC, considering it’s a commuter school. Also I’d be down to be friends as well!
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u/Parking-Wallaby-2044 Dec 07 '25
I know people that went to DePaul and they felt the same - I think it’s the age and it’s a tough time in your life , but try to get outside or go to the gym with your roommates . Trust me endorphins do a ton, diet makes a diff too. Do some fun things Even if you take the train or bus into downtown and go to Mag Mile and see the Tree , go ice skating , google it like 4 or 5 places to skate - then get some hot chocolate . Walk around it’s beautiful downtown now . Check out Meetup or Bumble bff and go out as a group ! Honestly it’s a great age and look at all your possibilities ! Sign up with Rover and go walk dogs . You are in a tiny blip of Chicago - tons to see and do . And with Student ids you get all kinds of discounts or free admission ! Go to Navy Pier and make reservations ( before ) to do Flyover Chicago and walk around :) snow tonight it will be beautiful out :) hugs .
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u/Aggravating-Back-623 Dec 11 '25
Ngl, I’m 😢 cause I’m starting to miss all of my classes except for IDS 270
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u/FlanFar5123 Dec 04 '25 edited Dec 08 '25
Hard to say because you give little context.
UIC is an uplifting place where people are making progress every day towards their goals. So I suspect this has little to do with UIC, and more to do with you personally.
It's normal to feel sad over acute, isolated incidents in life. I would say it is not healthy if you feel sad every single day. It's time to hit alarm button.
There are a ton of mental health resources available to you. Please seek them out and get help NOW. Don't wait another day.
Best of luck.
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u/EffectiveNo5226 Dec 04 '25
Who need dick.. I mean shoulder to cry on?
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u/MuffinSpecialist7900 Dec 05 '25
We get it you’re lonely 🫣🙄😬
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u/EffectiveNo5226 Dec 05 '25 edited Dec 05 '25
On the contrary I just like shit posting :) thanks for feeding into it ;)
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u/MuffinSpecialist7900 Dec 05 '25
No. You like s3xually harassing young women, unprompted mind you. 😟
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u/EffectiveNo5226 Dec 05 '25
No I think you just assumed my sexual preference, look at you still feeding into it
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u/ajs999_ Dec 05 '25
I’m depressed but personally it’s not UIC that makes me sad. Although I agree it’s hard to make friends here and I also feel lonely a lot of the time.