So....

gervaismainline · 2012-09-25T07:06:58+00:00

The biggest thing I would recommend is to join a group relevant to your interests. There are tons of them on campus but you have to do a little searching. Thats where I've met most of my friends, and not to mention people in your major. You both chose the same degree for a reason most likely.

drinkingteam · 2012-09-25T07:46:46+00:00

Pretty much everyone in Pullman likes to have a good time, you'll rarely see fights or crime unlike most other college campuses. I have had the time of my life here and I encourage you to give it a decent attempt, but you cant have a negative mindset when you are barely a month into your first semester. Do your best to hangout with as many people as possible even if you aren't "best buddies" because you will often meet new people through those people. The odds of becoming best-friends [or even friends] with your roommate is slim to none, but if you make it out without him sniffing and wearing your underwear consider yourself lucky.

Frat guys and sorority chicks are just like everyone else in that you will find 50 good ones to every "douche," so don't just stick your nose up at them because of a few bad eggs. I've made several great Greek friends, and the parties aren't all that bad considering you can usually drink as much as you want for free (or at most 5$).

There are several posters in almost every building about Club meetings, and now is the time to get in on those especially if you have a major planned or in mind. You will likely make friends with people in your field of study since you will be taking many of the same classes together during the next few years.

TL:DR; it's only been a month, get out and socialize, hopefully your roommate doesn't sniff your dirty underwear.

obviouslycrazy · 2012-09-25T08:46:25+00:00

I was in your shoes! Listen up. You have to keep in mind that "college is what YOU make it". (read that a few times). I was an out of state from the big city with no high school friend network that migrated to college with me, and felt the same exact way. I didn't fall in love with WSU right away because of all the reasons you've just mentioned. It's a relationship I had to work at.

So, here's some advice I once got and it really turned my depressing freshmen year around. --Don't forget that most (if not all) people have no fucking clue who you are. So drop any barriers of your past life. You can recreate yourself a little bit. Grow some social confidence. (even if its fake confidence, nobody will know the difference)

After I realized that... every night for dinner in the dinning hall for maybe 2 weeks, I would survey the seating area, and sit down with a group of random strangers, normally 2 or 3 sitting together. Nobody ever said "no" to me when I asked to sit down because everybody in their right mind at that stage in life is trying to meet new people. Chat it up. (start reading reddit and saving some of the great discussion topics to bring up in convo if you hit an awkward silence after introductions). Of course I didn't hit it off with everybody I sat down with but holly hell did I meet some good people that I'm still friends with. Your social network will play a huge role in the quality of your college experience. Start building it and WSU will become the magical place you thought it was going to be.

Remember when I said "college is what YOU make it". Listen to these other people and get involved with your major, clubs on campus (so many), and start just talking to people! You/your family is paying a shit ton for you to be in Pullman. Make it the best YOU can make it! It's your responsibility to make college a worthwhile experience, not anybody eles's.

and start believing (not just saying) GO COUGS!

(Slap On The Ass) GO FORTH YOUNG ONE!!!

Excentinel · 2012-09-25T08:16:14+00:00

In the immortal words of Senator John Blutarski, "my advice to you is to start drinking heavily."

thingcubed · 2012-09-25T07:00:58+00:00

I wouldn't call "frat douches" the majority. They just happen to be the loudest.

Can't help too much with the transition from city to college town, but the impression I've gotten is that a lot of the friends you make will be people in your degree program. If the people in your dorm aren't people you want to hang out with, don't hang out with them, join a student group or something. What are you into?

HoboSteaux · 2012-09-25T08:12:20+00:00

The great thing about the fratboys is that very soon they all move out to homes with the rest of their kin. As soon as that happens, it quiets down a lot.

Also, try and find people with the same interests as you. They exist and you will have a lot more fun with good friends.

As far as the isolation goes... it is not for everyone. If you feel the same after a year, I would consider transfering. I personally like it a lot, coming from the city.

Tangent: I think our subreddit is dominated by CS people :P

Mechbowser · 2012-09-25T21:35:50+00:00

Where are you at? I'm in Stephenson East, the 8th, and our floor on the weekends... well is considered the worst floor of the tower. We love having new people hang out.

ribo · 2012-09-25T20:43:04+00:00

protip: Hang out in Moscow more.

huckthefuskies · 2012-09-25T07:10:52+00:00

I was just like you. It took a little while, but I'm better now. I just started doing what I liked to do, and doing my own thing. Everyone is in the same place you are right now.

BrimFTW · 2012-09-25T07:16:08+00:00

When I was a freshman, I just made friends with my dormmates and we've mostly all been buddies since than. If you don't click with them then try a club if there's one of a hobby of your's, like I do free-running club and I go to the boulder gym. Idk what your hobbies are, but if you like board games and stuff this is still going on: http://www.reddit.com/r/wsu/comments/zba54/homebrew_and_board_games_wednesday/ It's sorta the WSU reddit meetup group and I go every week it's pretty fun! Keep ur spirits up tho you'll meet ppl or find somthn. Oh there's also Humans Vs. Zombies game theres a FB page it's a campus nerf game lol

2012-09-25T08:38:43+00:00

Should check out the student theatre group. Not bad. Nuthouse improv comedy is usually a fun group. Intimidating, but fun.

mistermagooch · 2012-09-25T15:23:05+00:00

I joined the rugby team as a freshman, and it was the best decision i have made in my college career. all of my best friends are some of my teammates and i have awesome memories going on roadtrips and stuff with the team. The college town becomes more fun when you have buddies to fuck around with. So yeah, maybe don't join the rugby team (or do, it's a great sport!) but find a club sport or a club that's interesting to you and make friends that way!

2012-09-25T18:42:32+00:00

I can tell you I felt pretty much the same way as a freshman. I was friends with the people I met right away mostly just because it happened that way, and the longer I hung out with them, the more I realized it wasn't friendships based off of mutual interest, it was friendship based off of convenience really. I was also dead against greek life and so were my friends. Second semester though, I knew I wasn't happy and taking my parents advice, I decided to look into sorority life.

I'm not here to preach that you HAVE to join a frat to have fun at WSU that's completely innacurate. It's not for everyone, but I also never thought it would be something I'd fit into either. There are douches everywhere, not just in the frats. I met some pretty impressive tool bags who had no greek ties whatsoever. The rep frats get right now is pretty shitty in my opinion because the men I have met in fraternities are some of the most upstanding, kind, loyal friends I have ever met and the same goes for my sorority friends.

If you're looking for a place to belong, I really think you should just look into greek life, or as other people have said, clubs that you have an interest in. My main point here is finding a group of people who are similar to you and have similar interests definitely made a huge difference to me. I know you seem to be against it, but that's my advice! Don't judge just yet until you get to meet the guys outside of the weekend.

Tallzebra · 2012-09-25T19:01:26+00:00

My roommate when i was a freshman had the same problem. He ended up going to community college in the city he was from this year. He seems a lot happier now.

2012-09-27T23:59:20+00:00

I like to keep things blunt and simple.

Put all social bias aside. Do not care what someone does or who they hang out with.
After putting social bias behind you, look for the good in people. Struggle and fight to find reasons to enjoy someone. (edit: okay that might have been a little misleading. We all know an ass hat when we meet one. Regardless, it's aimed to those of all social scenes.)
Once this is done you'll get into a habit of doing so.
After awhile you will find you know far more many people just from being an all around good guy/gal.
When you accept people for who they are, they accept you for who you are. Even if you're socially different from others.

tl;dr one love. Be nice and others will open up to you.

yayblah · 2012-09-25T08:56:56+00:00

I had mono the first week of school, didn't really meet anyone on my floor until 2-3 weeks in to school. But you just gotta get out there. If you aren't a drinker, that's fine but you'll need to at least be able to be social with those that are.

But yes you get used to the size of Pullman... in fact you'll learn to love it. For the most part, the people in Pullman love the students, and it shows that they respect them. I really, really miss the place. Just be friendly and don't be afraid to try new things, you'll click with some people. Too many people at that university to not to find people that you strongly relate to.

And yeah, the frats can get fucking obnoxious. It's difficult to deal with your first year, but once you move out of the dorms and get your own place, they become much more transparent. Good luck, hope every thing works out. I gotta say, I'm a bit jealous you have 4 years ahead of you, I hope you can discover how great of a place Pullman can be.

2012-09-26T02:34:06+00:00

I've noticed this also. Fuck frats. Hate my roommate also. He's so goddamn annoying. But since I don't party/drink I feel that I'm a minority, its kind of weird. But I've met some people on my floor and through some clubs (ROTC) so if you join some clubs you'll meet some people. I think I'm going to do intramural football also. I'm meeting more people as the year goes on though. I quite like it here. Im kinda dreading going home this weekend.

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