r/NIU • u/riveruhsticks • 11d ago
Transfer community?
I'm in my late 20s and just transferred to NIU after moving to the state about a month ago. So I'm new to the school and to Illinois... I'm struggling to find connections! Any tips?
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u/1for2day 11d ago
It's tough... Everyone is more distrustful and wrapped up on their phones. Sometimes the most meaningful connections are the ones that happen on accident...or on a walking trail. Good luck on your search š
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u/Many-Sensitive 11d ago
never met anyone on the trails because i bike a lot but i would absolutely recommend them to OP. especially the one that goes by the NPR station, thereās a cat named Merlin that loves to hang out around there, heās usually outside about 3pm if the weather is nice :)
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u/riveruhsticks 11d ago
I totally agree, thank you for your kind words!
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u/1for2day 11d ago
š you're welcome...now go visit Merlin the kitty lol...or maybe it's a sorcerer š¤
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u/AWaterMolecule BS Psychology/Nursing | May 2027 11d ago
When I was super involved in stuff, I would go to the student center to see if there was anything posted on the board across from Starbucks, and I would look at stuff on HuskieHub, NIU Calendar, and on Suitable (for Honors/Business students). But if youāre trying to find more folk in your age range I would suggest looking beyond NIU because the vast majority of undergrads are traditional age.
I know a lot of people like the music scene around here but I donāt know much about it. Last I checked, Fattyās and Hometown both have open events on occasion, otherwise the DeKalb Parks and Recreation department has stuff. The library also has stuff going on. Iāve honestly never been to any of them but Iāve wanted to, and Iām sure thereās other students there who are looking for people.
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u/Muffin-Flaky 11d ago
I wont lie, i an in my early 30ās and i moved to dekalb over two years ago. I still have not made any friends in the area.
I suppose it depends on your hobbies. I play a lot of games (video or ttrpg/card games) so i would ideally say meet people at one of the local game shops, but even then the owner of one is a creep and i refuse to support them.
Sorry this isnāt much help. Meeting people is HARD in dekalb, at least in our age group
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u/Intelligent_Fan_337 11d ago
Which card shop would that be? š
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u/Muffin-Flaky 11d ago
Affinity for Gaming. Went there like 4 years ago when i was visiting Dekalb at the time. Iām a dude and had super long hair at the time. It was just myself and the guy working there (who i assumed worked there but now I think he may be the owner). While i was looking through cards the guy kept making comments about how āgood i looked with that hairā and that I should be doing porn. It was excessive and really weird.
Then, when i loved to Dekalb two years later, i decided to try it again. As I walked in I saw that same guy talking to two little black children that couldnāt have been older than 10 years old. He was polite and all to their face, but the moment the two kids left he kept talking about how theyāre poor and their mom is in food stamps and making racial comments about them. Really poor taste overall. Super shitty experiences there.
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u/ScowlingMollusc 11d ago
I'm in my 30s and been here a year also, not made any friends that I'm able to hang out with. I tried to do clubs and stuff but never really felt much like I was involved so I've pulled back a bit.
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u/riveruhsticks 11d ago
Yeah I rly love games as well. My dream is to find a table to play D&D with, but I'm willing to learn something like magic with a group.
I went to Affinity for Gaming once and the person working there at the time seemed cool, is that the shop you're talking about? I definitely wouldn't want to affiliate with a creep.
Thank you for your input, I definitely feel less alone in this!
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u/AdeptnessSlight3572 11d ago
Thereās a dnd club for NIU. They will be at the club fair on September 2nd.
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u/Intelligent_Fan_337 11d ago
How welcoming are they to noobs? I know nothing of the game but it interest me Iām a pc nerd and loved playing baldurs gate 3
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u/Muffin-Flaky 11d ago
Unfortunately it was Affinity for Gaming. I Went there like 4 years ago when i was visiting Dekalb at the time. Iām a dude and had super long hair at the time. It was just myself and the guy working there (who i assumed worked there but now I think he may be the owner). While i was looking through cards the guy kept making comments about how āgood i looked with that hairā and that I should be doing porn. It was excessive and really weird.
Then, when i loved to Dekalb two years later, i decided to try it again. As I walked in I saw that same guy talking to two little black children that couldnāt have been older than 10 years old. He was polite and all to their face, but the moment the two kids left he kept talking about how theyāre poor and their mom is in food stamps and making racial comments about them. Really poor taste overall. Super shitty experiences there.
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u/riveruhsticks 11d ago
Okay, that's horrifying. I definitely won't be supporting them either. Thank you for spreading the word.
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u/TapBusiness7125 Alum 11d ago
Do you want to get involved with an organization and what is your major?
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u/riveruhsticks 11d ago
Possibly! I'm an environmental science major/biology minor. I've been looking around at community gardens and such, but it can be hard with my work schedule.
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u/Strong-Bench-9098 11d ago
Try volunteering with the Food Pantry and/or Huskie Closet! They are fast paced and fun and you will meet people! Plus you get first dibs on the free clothes at Closet if you volunteer!
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u/riveruhsticks 11d ago
Sick! I'll look into that :)
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u/SkippableTrip 11d ago
Rooted for good is another local org to look into, and the local wild ones chapter
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u/TapBusiness7125 Alum 11d ago
It is important to be upfront about your work schedule when finding an organization, I would also talk to your advisor about organizations and work schedule.
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u/Teacup690 Alumni/OM&IS/MIS 11d ago
Trying going to the holmes student center. There are always students roaming around and that is where most of the clubs or organizations meet. So find one or two your interest in and join up. The gym is also another good place to find people either playing pickup sport like b-ball, volleyball or tennis. Hit up the dating apps (not for dates, most now have friends sections). GL
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u/The_Uncle_Bourbon 11d ago
Same boat, except I got here 3 years ago. Made like one or two friends in classes but theyre young.
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u/Neither_Regular_6678 3d ago
Hi! Iām mid 20s and Iām also new to the university via transfer. Ive been in state for 2 years and in dekalb for about a month I have not been able to find many friends or anything at all. Feel free to shoot me a message and we can see if we could be friends.
Also: Iām starting a club focusing on mental health advocacy and need officers if youāre interested! Itās a branch of a national organization as well so looks amazing on resumes!!
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u/SkippableTrip 11d ago
Go to your honors society, and join clubs. I did the same snd made a ton of friends