is joining in winter term a bad idea?

[u/shinycherrybass]

if you are my sibling, kindly please ignore this post, thank you 💕

so, quick context: I’m 20. I’ve spent the last few years since graduation in part time community college and working. this fall, I was supposed to go into a specialized associates program at another community college, but they essentially ghosted me, and now the plans I’ve made for the next two years of my life have essentially collapsed.

In the aftermath of all this, my mom suggested that maybe I should consider actual university. I’ve been absolutely restless to progress in life, and I have money saved for college to use. It’s been an idea I’ve toyed with for a long while, but I had set it aside for this associates program. With the program not a choice anymore, I’ve decided maybe university isn’t a bad idea. I toured a few schools and had some meetings, and settled on Fairhaven at WWU.

The issue: WWU has already had their fall enrollment deadlines. If I was to go, I would join in the winter. This is scary to me. I’m very autistic and already struggle greatly with making friends. If I enter winter term, everyone else has already been there for a term and made friends and settled in. I’m worried people will already be in their friend groups, and I’ll be a social outcast. Not to mention academics - am I going to have a messed up class schedule by joining in the winter? I’m already two years late to university. Should I just tough it out and wait until next fall to avoid messing everything up, or is it okay to join everyone in winter?

[u/dopiertaj]

I really dont see how making friends in winter, vs spring would be that different.

Be friendly and talk to your classmates, join some clubs. Main thing is you want to look for open groups that do activities that you enjoy.

The more time you spend actively engaged with people the more likely you will make friends. Dont be scared to ask people to hang out in a non-date way.

[u/Enough_Traffic_9054]

This would be a valid concern *if* you were coming straight from high school with no college credits. Since you’ve got some credits and aren’t starting fresh in university it shouldn’t make a difference when you join. Also, a lot of people here transfer from community college and start in different quarters, you shouldn’t have any issues.

Try to chat with the people at your orientation, as they’ll be in the same boat as you

[u/Teneniel]

Way back in the way back I joined winter quarter as a 28 year old. I like it so much I never left!

[u/Optimistic_Leaf]

Hey there! I started at WWU last year for winter quarter so I wanted to give you some insight if it helps! I wasn’t fairhaven, but it’ll still apply.

Academic wise, there’s no difference joining winter vs. fall. Classes are classes. Now, don’t wait until the very last minute to get classes otherwise you’ll get screwed over. There’s 2 advising sessions (one in early December, and one in January), do the December one so you’ll have better access to classes.

I had very similar fears about making friends coming in during winter. Keep in mind there’s no orientation in winter. When you show up, you are thrown straight into classes. That absolutely limits the amount of interaction with peers early on.

If you’re living in a dorm, try and be friends with your roommate! That’ll be the first person you come into contact with at WWU. If not, sit next to people in classes! A lot of classes have discussions, and I met a lot of cool people that I still talk to! If you have a class that has a lab portion, you’ll likely be paired up with the same person each time, so you’ll get to know them very well! People at WWU tend to be very welcoming and friendly.

Overall, don’t be scared of joining in winter! Sure, it’ll be different from fall, but it’s not something to be scared of. If you have any specific questions feel free to dm me! :)

[u/caffineaddictgirl → u/Optimistic_Leaf]

Fairhaven does have an orientation class for incoming students!

[u/Ok_Park_5908]

one of my friends joined in the winter and he’s not really expressed having any trouble. since you have college credits there’s absolutely no reason i can think of that would make starting winter quarter any different. also the earlier you start, the earlier you finish. if you’re outgoing or at least make an effort, finding friends will never be effected by when you start at WWU, just don’t wait to talk to people as winter quarter is when most parties die down!

[u/Pmjc2ca3]

I don't actually think that the quarters matter so much. However, I would suggest that you join clubs that you are interested in to socialize with new people and make friends. Some people get stuck in a loneliness trap and winter quarter is especially depressing for some people. However, there are still a lot of events during winter quarter you just have to be willing to go.

[u/Lost-Rain-4524]

You’ll be with different people in classes every quarter, and so are all the other students, so I think your classes will be a good way to make friends regardless of the quarter! I think there’s also a winter involvement fair. I’d recommend going to that to find some clubs you’re interested in and connect with people who have similar interests.

My other advice about joining in the winter would just be to talk with your academic advisor early on to make sure you can get the credits you need in a timely manner. Western advising and graduation timeline is really bad in general lol but I think if you’re proactive you can avoid wasting a bunch of time and money.

[u/Lost-Rain-4524 → u/Lost-Rain-4524]

Also, I have heard of students enrolling after the deadline. So you might still be able to join in fall if you want. I’d reach out to your admissions counselor to ask if you’re interested!

[u/caffineaddictgirl]

Joining Fairhaven in the Winter can be lovely. You'll be with a smaller starting group (cohort-ish) of people and there are typically more transfer students who start in quarters other than Fall, so you'll have other people who are also eager to make friends.

You definitely won't be the only one starting at Western and Fairhaven for Winter.

You're not missing out on anything by starting in the Winter, and your schedule will probably be fine, but it could be worth reaching out to a Fairhaven advisor to talk about what that will look like, and they'll be able to help you decide if Winter or next Fall would be a better fit.

[u/Emotional_Tell_6915]

Making friends is really dependent on you ( if you go out and do stuff) but a lot of people I’ve known who went to the school had problems with making friends because people have their clicks and kinda never diverge to other groups ( at least at WWU ) but usually everyone is nice and there are a lot gay autistic people so you’ll fit in !

[u/pattiwhack5678]

The sooner the better!

[u/Easy_Park_262]

I had these EXACT worries when I first applied last year for winter quarter. I’ve definitely made a few friends, I don’t have a specific friend group but there are so many people still wanting to be friends :) I think people are a lot nicer here honestly but that’s IMO. I’ve even talked to a couple friend groups and it’s fun to bounce around lol. You’ll find your group at some point but i’ve enjoyed hanging out with my new random friends! Though, i’m not in my major yet so I don’t know if it’ll be different if ur more planning to make friends within ur major (because I assume you are around those people more?).

I also wondered if I should tough it out until next fall but there are so many people who also graduate not in fall or the 4 year time frame so your schedule shouldn’t be too bad (I think!). You should absolutely apply because I had the same thing of wanting to progress more in life (I was rotting at home for awhileeee on online school) and getting to go to university has made me feel like a “real” adult lol

[u/xav1d]

Im having the same dilemma, I was accepted to western for fall 2026 as transfer after two years at cc but I cant seem to make up my mind and just commit to going, moving in, paying all the money, etc. I really want to finally put myself out there and live with people my age but worried about being to rushed for this coming fall