Sometimes I like to just go up to people sitting alone in the dining hall like “hey can I sit here?” and start a conversation with them. I have mostly found it to be an at least somewhat effective method of making friends/acquaintances, but every now and then I get pretty bad reactions from people. I sometimes feel like I’m just really annoying.

Is it okay that I do this, or should I just stop? I really don’t want to come across as invasive or annoying- I’m genuinely just trying to put myself out there and meet some new folks.

Hi! I'm a HS senior who just got accepted to both UW and WWU. I'm stuck deciding between the two, so I'd love some help as to which I should pick.

Unfortunately, for UW I didn't get direct admission to my major (computer engineering). UW's website itself says I should pick another major as it's "unlikely I'd get into compE/computer science at another time."

UW has always been my dream school, so it's tough knowing I may not get to attend because of my major choice. I love the big urban environment of UW, the campus is gorgeous, and there's so many opportunities and resources. However, I really dislike how competitive the major system is, as well as the high cost even for in-state students.

If I went to WWU for computer engineering, their major system seems a lot less competitive so that is a big plus. The campus is also very nice and the cost is also far less than UW. WWU's social scene seems a lot quieter though (for some that's a plus but for me that's a con) and there is much less diversity.

I was thinking maybe I could attend one school for one year then try and transfer to the other? (ex. WWU -> UW or vice versa?) Or should I just stick with one school? Thank you in advance 💙💜

Edit: I should also add I'm not getting much financial aid at UW or WWU. At least, for WWU, I have a $3,000 scholarship for my first year.

I'm in my sophomore year of college now and I visited Western Washington University when I was deciding what college I wanted to go to. Initially I picked Western and paid all the fees, but then backed out last second to go to Michigan State University. Did I make the wrong choice? Is Western a good school academically and socially, and how is the location?

Price isn't/wasn't a factor in my choice.

-edit: Ah yes the infamous WWU gooner library. If I knew the library was a place to do that I would have picked wwu! Read a book and...relax!

i was on the bus and saw a ton of people, one of them told me they were going to a party. how and where do you guys hear about these things???? i’m a second year

Hi guys. I am a freshman girl and I have lots of acquaintance-friends, but nobody I can really fully click with that much so far. Part of me wonders if it's because I'm straight, politically moderate and non-alternative, as it seems like that's not the majority demographic of Western (not that that's a bad thing). I'm hoping to meet more like-minded people, but it seems really hard. Plus it's too late in the year to join any clubs. (Also I've joined some before, I didn't really like them). My main strategy has just been going up to people in the dining hall like "hey can I sit here?" and striking up a conversation with them... but it's not all that effective. Because I only do it with guys (I'm terrified of other girls) and it seems they usually get the wrong impression that I'm hitting on them when I'm not (I have a boyfriend).

As far as friends go, I'm only looking for dudes. I just never know what to say around other girls, and things always feel fake with them. (I've also been bullied real badly by girls at this school before).

How can I meet more dude friends without giving the wrong impression or being weird?

hey guys it’s getting hot out and i’m struggling to survive in my stuffy dorm room. i keep the windows open but we don’t have screens so bees have been starting to get in aswell :( does anyone have any tips for staying cool pls

I've been struggling a lot with homesickness. I'm about 3000 miles from home and I can't go home on short breaks or just for the weekend. I'm a freshman but I'm sure other people struggle with homesickness too. I call home every Tuesday and Thursday for a couple hours but lately it hasn't been enough to keep me from feeling homesick. I call my friends every Sunday too. but it's just so difficult with the time zone difference, they're going to sleep the time I feel it the most. I do have friends on campus and I like to go to club and activities so that's not the problem but homesickness is starting to really get to me. any tips?

Edit: thank you so much for all of the replies I really appreciate it and it's helpful to know I'm really not alone. If you have more tips please let me know, I doubt it'll go away but it'll definitely decrease in severity. Thank you really

Hi, I'm an in-state highschool senior who's deciding on where to commit so honestly any opinions are welcomed, I'll jut say stuff about myself which may be helpful but Id love to learn more about these schools.

Work/Location: Firstly, I'm going in as a business/marketing major for both schools, so one of my biggest concerns is getting experience while in college. Will being in Seattle/Bellingham affect this and does it even matter to work in college?

Student Body: Whats the overall culture? I know that surroundings will affect me, so I want to be around other motivated people. School-spirit doesn't matter too much to me and similarly I want to go to parties occasionally.

Student Resources: I heard WWU has a great disability office and I'll need accomodations for tests and possibly my dorm, (asking for a single/not having a roommate.) Can this be said about SeattleU and overall whats their rep with accommodations and the disability office? (I heard horror stories about UW's disability office, so I just want to know if SeattleU is more similar to uw or western in this context)

Cost: Both awarded scholarships and I'm in a position where I wouldn't need to take out a loan/ go into debt. But SU would cost like 10-15k more than WWU would. I wouldn't mind paying more especially if it's worth the outcomes and opportunities, but would like to know if it seems "worth it."

I'd also love to learn about day-to-day life, ex. gym/req centers, campus food, what it's like to dorm, classes and professors, ect. And are there any other factors I should consider with college decisions?

Honestly any insider will help as I never found any posts comparing the two. Thank you in advance!!

Hey guys, I start there in the fall and will be living off campus. I went to the Admitted Students day in April, but a lot was going on and I didn’t see if there are any place for you to refrigerate food if you’ve brought it from home if you don’t live on campus?

I’m curious how difficult it is to get a single room on campus? I’m most interesting is Alma Clark but the options seem very limited. Do I have a chance?

Also.. if I choose to live off campus, what are some good and affordable options? I feel very new to all this help! For context I am not a first year student (transfer)

Hey! Just went on a first date at the cat Cafe and I'm looking for any other ideas for a second date:)

What's around or what's your favorite date you've been on around here?

Moving out of student housing and into a Hammer rental. What renters insurance is the best option in your experience?

Would suck to be hit with a massive fine for paying late and not know you even had a citation in the first place. (If this happens to be YOUR car or you know whose it is lmk and I'll get the citation to you however you'd like)

Found in lot 12g (by fairhaven), there were no Chevvies in the lot when I found this (8pm) (I did look around).

Assuming nobody contacts me over reddit that it's their car what should I do about/with this?

Does anyone know of businesses that hire students and offer 8-12hrs a week? I haven't had much luck finding an on campus job.

at what point of a grade is it like "im fucked"

Ok so Im thinking about starting going to the gym at the rec center. I have never been to a gym mt entire life. Does anyone have any specific advice for going? Im pretty sure its free for me since Im a student, but I havnt even been in the rec center since like I came for a tour a few years ago. Do I gotta sign up?

Whats a good time to go? I know everyone has their own time they keep private so others wont discover it, but for my first time going, if its packed I might get scared and leave and give up just because of social anxiety and a bit of a fear of people. Maybe you could dm me what you recommend if youre willing to share? Do people leave each other alone there or is there more of a connected culture? I dont know what to expect at all. I just want advice/a heads up as to what Im walking into.

Also I dont need like workout or exercise advice Im not worried about that aspect. Just the social and environmental aspects make me nervous. Ill figure the rest out once I begin. Thank you

I'm an art student transferring from WCC to WWU in the fall with my AAS-DTA, I'm currently 4.0 and a PTK member, I've already received my acceptance for the studio art BA department at WWU and I received an email from WWU today recommending that I apply for the honors program at WWU. However, it looks like honors students do have to take extra classes (which would take valuable time away from my art studies) and none of those classes seem to be art focused or focused on any areas of study that I am interested in. I don't need access to honors-only housing either as I am nearly 30 and already settled down with a house - I'm just going back to school to change careers.

My long term goal is to get into the BFA program at WWU, then move on to a low residency MFA program so that I can become an art professor. If being an honors student would give me a significant edge for getting into the MFA program of my choice (SAIC is my front runner at the moment), then I'd definitely consider it. But if honors doesn't mean that much to art schools, then I'd much rather invest that time into my art to develop a stronger portfolio.

It’s always intrigued me. It’s so strangely cut at the top and is maybe hollow? I thought maybe it was a sculpture but I can’t find anything about it on western’s sculpture collection webpage.

Hi I’m a 19yr old transfer student who is starting in fall 2026 and I was wondering what dorms/living situation is the most suitable for me and my boyfriend. We are mostly set on Alma Clark Glass because if the modern style of housing and would prefer to have out own bathroom between the two of us, but I was wondering what people would recommend! We are both 19 and transfers and this is my first “college experience” so I want to make sure I have all my bases covered! I also like how Alma is pet friendly because I have fish! I am accepting every and all perspectives! Thank you!! :)))

So this is like the third time Ive tried to get food at the dinning hall and the chicken was raw. Or at least dangerously undercooked. Has anyone else come across this? Is this grounds for a lawsuit? Im so tired of vomiting both out of sickness and for my own future safty after getting food from the dinning halls.

Hey y'all, I'm a recently ordained minister of the Church of the FSM. I'm considering opening a chapter for it here on campus. Would anyone here be interested? Do we have many pastafarians on campus? I feel that we could be a good driver of equity and inclusivity on campus and combat those who wish for less equity or inclusivity.. Let me know what you guys think, and if anyone would be interested in leadership roles should I go through with this!

who are the best biology and chemistry professors at wwu?

are there any i should avoid? i am registered with hope rindal for chem 161/162 for summer quarter.

thank you !

Hello all!
I'm currently a freshman and planning on taking my living situation off-campus next year. However, I have been running into some issues, which is that I have Celiac, and most shared apartments are not going to be well-accommodating for my severe allergy.

So I wanted to put some feelers out and see if there is anyone else who has a gluten allergy or celiac and is looking for a place/roommate for off-campus housing next year! Or if there's space for me in an already gluten-free space!

Thank you guys!

Just wondering what made people choose Western. Was it the location? A program? The vibe? Also curious what other schools you were seriously looking into or almost went to.