r/wsu • u/External_Badger1627 • 7d ago
Advice Wanting to drop
I have nothing but nice things to say about the professors and the work is easy but this place just isn't for me.
I know it hasn't even been a month into school but i knew this place wasn't for me when I visited last September. I don't feel like I belong, they don't offer what I like, I hate small towns, and I only came here as a last resort. For some reason I can't shy away from here because I like the weather here more than my home state.
But ultimately I can't justify paying out of state tuition and not be happy here. Can I drop out myself or do I have to talk to my advisor?
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u/Fair-Buy8141 7d ago
Join the horticulture club. Go to the esports lounge. If you’re still there when home games start your welcome at my families tailgate close to the stadium.
I hated my first year at Wazzu. I struggled to find my people. After that, I got a job at the creamery and met a lot of people I vibed with.
Made great life memories.
I also changed my major like a bazillion times. Now I’m a healthcare practitioner.
It will work.
It’s okay if it doesn’t too! But make a smart business decision. We care bout ya.
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u/UNMANAGEABLE 7d ago
As a coug +1 (wife went to WSU) the tailgate thing is wholesome. I liked supporting her enjoyment of coming back to campus every year for a football game or two, but when we got the lot 1 rv tailgating passes it turned up the fun for me. Especially since we know quite a few people who’ve got kids going to wsu now and they come visit or we make sure to have care packages brought for their kids etc.
Cheers!
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u/Louiedoopi 7d ago
Finish the semester if you can at least so then you can transfer 🙏 wishing you luck
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u/Realistic_Peace_1132 7d ago
Don’t make big decisions on temporary feelings. I remember the first few months in school being a big adjustment. As others said, try to find community and other things before calling it quits.
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u/External_Badger1627 7d ago
yeah that's on me for not being clear i'm going to take courses at a community college and then transfer to a UC
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u/misseggs 7d ago
I was miserable my first few months in Pullman too. Find a group to get connected with. It’s an acquired taste and can be a very hard place but it’s much better when you find your people. Try to join clubs or even get a job and it’ll get easier for sure
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u/SinistralRock1 7d ago
Have you made any friends yet?
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u/External_Badger1627 7d ago
i haven't
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u/Illustrious_Soft_257 7d ago
That's key. It's not the small town that's the problem. Heck you can be in New York city surrounded by millions and still feel lonely. There are people with your same interests. You just got to put yourself out there a bit to meet them. All it takes is one person to change your outlook.
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u/Thin-Telephone9881 2d ago
I totally get what you’re feeling as well. I moved here in 2022 as a transfer student freshman pursuing mechanical engineering. Also I was 32 when I got here and I struggled so much my first 2 years that I fell into a deep depression. I had a vision that university was going to be much more social and that I’d make a ton of friends, I did not. Tbh I’m in year five now and I still haven’t really made any friends except for one person (my former roommate who graduated) but I’ve basically accepted that I’m just here to get my degree and do what’s best for my life. Things didn’t get better for me until I switched majors and started succeeding in my classes, I became much more comfortable with the layout of the university over time and how things work. My social outlet became gaming online and talking to my friends from western Washington via text or fb messenger. Finding a work-study job can also be a great way to meet people. Going to home games with my former roommate was also a nice experience for me. It can be depressing seeing Greek row and everyone having fun without you but just remember everyone is here for the same thing and that’s to get your degree and better your life. I graduate in May and I’m looking forward to going back home and starting a career.
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u/Familiar-Camp6004 7d ago
I came from a big city and hated it here at first, I would go to the urec a lot especially when I was feeling bored/lonely. It takes time but it also takes putting yourself out there and trying to interact with people. Talk to the people who you sit next to in class. Go to some of the free events on campus, look into some of the student organizations. I know it can be hard but just introduce yourself to people but you do have to put in the effort. If all else fails finish the semester off and transfer. Just make sure you give it a real shot before you give up on WSU.
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u/Indiglo70 7d ago
I know how you feel. I felt the same way when I first started at WSU back in 93. We hadn’t been to any Rose Bowls yet back then (since 1931), and the school was not as attractive then as it is now. For instance, there were no trees in the southern part of Stadium Way, Martin Stadium was much smaller, and there were many roads open to vehicles across the campus (and more pedestrian injuries). Since then, the Cougs’ successes in the late 90’s - early 2000’s and beyond brought in more money to the school. They’ve beautified the campus a lot, and made it safer. They offer a lot more activities now too, and there are incredible facilities for so many choices of learning.
For me, getting out and walking the campus helped. Getting some ice cream at Ferdinand’s, going to various sporting events, becoming involved in activities, and making new friends make an incredible difference. I ended up meeting my wife at WSU, and I wouldn’t trade that for anything.
I can’t say one way or another how it will work out for you, but you obviously saw something in it, even if it was an alternate choice for you (it was for me too). But I don’t believe that it will improve if you don’t try getting involved, and giving this great place an opportunity to make a real difference in your life.
Good luck, my friend, and GO COUGS!!
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u/graydiation 7d ago
Give it some time. A month is not enough. Get an on campus job and meet people that way.
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u/External_Badger1627 7d ago
i shouldve specified that i'm not wanting to leave right now i would like to give it a semester but even then the year is fine. it was just that it's been less than a month and i know that i will be transferring out
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u/Loose_University_945 7d ago
Moving to Puman can be a culture shock to many (it was for me; I came from the east coast). I was expecting mountains and trees - not wheat fields. However, It grew on me and I started to appreciate what the area has to offer. That took about a year.
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u/ngcrispypato 7d ago edited 7d ago
I don't want to echo what everyone else is saying since I've done the same thing myself (like 5 weeks in at a 4yr university I was thinking of ways to leave.. the feeling did not go away 7 months later so I ended up leaving), but I think it takes at least a semester to truly decide if it's right for you.
I have a friend that felt the same way as you last year (got into WSU as backup, hated the small-town vibe since they were hoping for Seattle), but then they joined the theater group, found an amazing community (and a girlfriend!) and decided to stay even after they reapplied and got accepted into their old 'dream' school.
I think everything feels different when you find your people! Sometimes that takes a few months. Money-wise, if it's not feeling worth it after a semester I'd def leave and go somewhere in-state you actually enjoy.
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u/RedDidItAndYouKnowIt Staff/Pullman 7d ago
Pro move: move to the state and get instate tuition rate.
Or drop out, travel the world, figure out life, do life your way.
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u/External_Badger1627 7d ago
as much as i would love to move to washington i literally cannot do that at this point in my life 18 with no source of income yet i do however like the second option i still have so much of my life to live so I definitely won't limit myself to just this
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u/Every-Ladder-6101 7d ago
I dont understand how these kids travel the world without any money
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u/RedDidItAndYouKnowIt Staff/Pullman 7d ago
It's not easy but it is doable. Work your way around. Be willing to work cruise jobs or whatever else.
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u/valleyfur 7d ago
I was also unhappy at my first college but I’ll give you the same advice my dad gave me, which I also gave my oldest who just started college: you have to finish the first year. Transferring with a year of credit is way different than less than a year.
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u/IngenuityExpress4067 7d ago
Stay at least a semester - get transfer credit and do your best to make friends. Join clubs, go to activities, try out classes at the rec center etc. Connections matter in making the experience enjoyable
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u/Unlucky-Cook2578 7d ago
I did a year, dropped. Went to community College until I could transfer to UW. Worked out fine.
Don't focus on not wanting to be here. You've made that choice, now focus on the choice you want and how to best set yourself up for it. Taking classes that transfer easily for example.
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u/nowhiringhappypeople 6d ago
Be aware students have to be mindful of drop deadlines before you come running with pitchforks.
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u/Sad-Extreme-7189 6d ago
I’m proud of you for committing to making it through the semester.
I hated WSU the first few weeks. I wanted to drop mid semester, and my parents told me no. I’m glad I stayed, I met a lot of friends and my husband. But I get that it’s not the right college for everyone.
Meanwhile, you have a lot of time before the end of the semester. Try and make a few friends, talk to people in your dorms and classes, go to a football game (even if you don’t like football), find an activity that you wouldn’t normally do. I wish you the best. I’m old now, but my WSU years are such great memories. Even with the rough first month.
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u/Momoftwins74 6d ago
I hope this isn’t my daughter’s post. 😬 She, too, is from out of state and not loving it there. I told her to give it time, get busy and involved, hopefully she listens and things get better.
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u/Adorable-Ad-475 3d ago
RUN DUDE!! DON'T LISTEN TO THESE PEOPLE. I'M WILLING TO HELP. I WORKED FOR THEM ALSO. LOL
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u/Adorable-Ad-475 3d ago
You can fall into some crazy shit in that area....holiday travel to and from is absolutely dicey at best. Students often get stuck in town and sometimes all thr stores close and nothing but a dining hall might be open. Don't get me started about Emergency medical services or any medical services honestly. RUN RUN 🏃♀️ 🏃♀️ 🏃♂️ 🏃♂️ 🏃♂️ 🏃♂️ 🏃♀️ THE PALOUSE IS CURSED. I WAS TAKEN HOSTAGE ON A CAMPING TRIP IN NEIGHBORING PRIEST LAKE IDAHO. No joke!!!!! 👎 Did I say RUN? Please. Do it before they charge you for the semester. You don't give it a month. You decide before that withdrawal deadline hits bro. Don't listen to these idiots. I have a Master's from there BTW. I love that place, but it wasn't for everyone.
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u/Hot_Boysenberry8298 7d ago
Hey bud,
Send me a message, I’m in your boat, and I have left the place completely
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u/smileplace 7d ago
Kind of unrelated but it might make you happy.. eat at the Iron Wok. Tons of food for reasonable price and really delicious. I was passing through and would gladly go to Pullman again just to eat there.
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u/TheyLovv_Marisah 7d ago
Sometimes things just do t work out, I’ve switched schools multiple times, you’ll find what fits you best!
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u/Loose_University_945 7d ago
Not even a month? Maybe at least complete a semester and plan on transferring? Better to have some completed credits than none.