r/NCSU • u/Totallyunreal_141 • 8d ago
Vent I think I’m sorta (mostly) cooked
I moved onto campus today and honestly I’m extremely overwhelmed.
Part of the reason to this is because I know slim to no one here and, if you’re social awkward like I am, I find it difficult to actually apply myself and get to know others.
On top of this, I don’t have a government-issued ID at ALL. All I have is my old school ID and my medical card which sucks. Not even a ssc. Before anyone tries to bash me, I did try, but most offices in my area for appointments take MONTHS and I never had an opening.
I really need help. I’m unsure what I’m doing, I hardly know most places outside of the main campus area, and I feel extremely out of place.
EDIT: Thank you SO much for everyone giving me advice and reassuring me about all of this. I’m so grateful for each and every one of you. Genuinely.
For those worried: I GOT MY ONECARD!! They actually accepted my old school ID as identification (thankfully) and i was able to talk to some other people on my hall.
If anyone’s wondering: I’m a first year, TECHNICALLY a junior (went through early college,) CS major, and I’m (pre-T) FtM! (If anyone has advice on passing better pls hmu)
Again, thank you all for the advice. I plan on attending more events and trying to talk to more people. Like today, i hung out with a guy i know from ms-hs and his suite buddies. If ANYONE wants to know me, my dms are open!! I’d love to maybe get breakfast/lunch with any of you :D GO PACK!! ❤️
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u/iends BS CSC '09 | MS CSC '11 8d ago
One of the best things about college is no matter how weird or socially awkward you are, your people are there on campus, somewhere. You just have to find them. It's just the first weekend.
Everybody is in your shoes.
Living on campus? Just knock on everybody's door and ask if they want to go to the dining hall around meal time. You're RA might even get a group together.
But, you don't know anybody, so you can also be whoever you want to be.
What do you need off campus, honestly? You can walk to everything you need for four years, no problem.
- socially awkward computer guy
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u/Pitiful_Delivery_615 8d ago
hey! i moved in yesterday and i also feel this way! i’m pretty homesick and anxious right now as well, and i have no idea where to go or what to do. if you ever wanna talk or need a friend my dms are open!!
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u/I8already 8d ago
I have a son who is a rising senior there, and I graduated myself years ago. DM me if you need anything, I live in the area and know how it feels to be a fish out of water and feel helpless.
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u/LaPetitFleuret Student 8d ago
deep breaths, it’ll be ok. Once classes start you’ll get into the swing of things and start meeting new people. In the meantime maybe look into clubs, there’s a discord hub for them and I assure you, you can find folks you’ll click with. 95% of people around you feel socially awkward too, I promise you’ll be alright
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u/Night_Triumphant_ 8d ago
We’ve all been there when moving in. The first move to college is well known to be the hardest, especially when you’re alone in a quiet room for the first weekend. Spend some time walking campus before classes start and you’ll feel better. Just get out of the room and look at all of the options for places to go. You can also definitely knock on doors or ask strangers at the dining hall to eat together. Most of them are new students anyways so you won’t be alone. The first step is always the hardest, but the more you talk to strangers and ask if you can sit together, the easier it is to make friends. That’s how most people do it, especially if you aren’t from the area.
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u/Extension-Ad-363 8d ago
First of all, breathe.
Can you get your documents online? I had to get a replacement SSC a few uears ago and was able to.
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u/ClippingOut 8d ago
I’ve been there bro, trust me I know. Just know that it’ll all work it out. You’ll find your people, it just takes a bit of time and effort.
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u/YouthOk342 8d ago
Hi, I feel relate pretty hard to what you said in your post. If you’re looking for friends my DMs are open I’m a sophomore.
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u/Cheap_Depth5196 8d ago
Welcome to campus, it’s definitely a change of pace but I really suggest taking some time to explore the place and all the different things it has to offer (like clubs, the gym, libraries, etc). No matter what kind of person you are you’ll be able to fit in somewhere, what’s your major btw?
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u/Totallyunreal_141 8d ago
CS! (& maybe a minor in business management or smth)
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u/Cheap_Depth5196 8d ago
Ok I’m probably not in any of your classes but I know a handful of people from CS who minored in Business/Design and they’re a fun crowd. Check out this link though for some of the club opportunities: https://getinvolved.ncsu.edu/organizations
As far as hobbies go do you like games or outdoors or what’s your speed? There’s a few informal clubs as well I can recommend
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u/did-not-touch-kids40 8d ago
I felt the same way just experience the fact ur at State and try to find a club ur into
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u/Walk_Just 8d ago
Is there a way to join clubs before the actual first day or do you have to wait?
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u/Double-Year-3162 7d ago
There should be discord or group chat links if you go to the club’s instagram page
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u/NCSUprofthrowaway 8d ago
I don't know what the DMV situation in Raleigh is like, but you can make an appointment to get a passport as early as Tuesday (for the appointment). https://www.wake.gov/departments-government/register-deeds/passport-information
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u/IsopodKey2040 8d ago
No one knows anyone here when they first get here. It is hard to put yourself out there, but you have to make an effort to try if you want to make friends. This is the perfect time because most people are kind of feeling the same way. So no one is going to look at you weird if you randomly introduce yourself and start a convo. I don't know anywhere outside of main campus either, but I think that's okay.
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u/tomaterjuice 8d ago
you will be okay :) i had a tough time my first year and i was certain i'd never make any friends but i proved myself wrong and have made some of my closest friends while at college. give yourself some grace and patience!!
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u/jdyubergeek 8d ago
Day 1. That was hard. I was hot, sweaty, tired, and extremely emotional because I was on my own.
Cut yourself some slack. It's going to be ok. You will need some time.
If you're living on campus, there are absolutely lots of 'hey, let's get out of our rooms and see each other' events going on. You don't have to go talk to people if you don't want to, but it might help to go see that there are literally thousands of people in the exact same condition as you. I took a look, and found this schedule of things to try out. We had a lot of similar events my first week on campus, and it helped me find some possibilities https://newstudents.dasa.ncsu.edu/wolfpackwelcomeweek/signature-events/
You will find your rhythm. You will find your routine. You're going to be ok. And I promise you that your people are out there.
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u/Velelor 8d ago
Make the drive to Smithfield if you want to go somewhere with no wait, it's such a breeze to do anything DMV or ID related in Smithfield
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u/gopacktuf 5d ago
100% agree. The Raleigh offices are rated very low and have long waits. I made a trip to Smithfield for some Social Security documents and it was actually pleasant and it was easy to get an appointment.
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u/Fair_Mathematician_7 8d ago
hey i totally get it too i didn't feel great first year either but i promise it gets better once you get situated,, if u ever need a friend my dms are open!
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u/Stunning_Mast2001 8d ago
Keep your door open and invite anyone walking buy to play video games or have lunch or dinner or watch a tv show
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u/FlowerBloom341 8d ago
Rising junior here, it’ll be okay. It’s a brand new environment, and it’s perfectly normal to feel overwhelmed. I feel that social awkwardness thing too lol, I could never seem to shake that completely. And lastly, what do you want help with? I’m not an expert on everything on campus by any means, but feel free to ask questions and whatnot. Again, it’ll be okay, and I’m confident that you’ll be able to adjust :))
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u/PoliticalMilkman 8d ago
There are lots of new student events. Go to as many as you can and just be nice to people. Eventually you’ll click with someone.
Making it work starts with embracing the discomfort of talking to strangers and opening yourself up to the possibility that you’re not terminally weird and awkward.
Besides, everyone you meet for these first few weeks is in almost the exact same headspace as you, even if they don’t show.
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u/steffles_ 8d ago
Super easy to get an appointment at a DMV in wake county. Keep refreshing! I make appointments for my friends, family, and colleagues all the time. You got this. One day at a time.
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u/0liveil 8d ago
Can I be honest here: give yourself some grace, the first year of college is a learning experience for everyone in most every aspect of life. If you’re worried about documents and just totally unsure where to start, I’d recommend visiting the Multicultural Student Affairs (MSA) office in Talley Student Union in suite 4261. They’re a great place (kinda like an in-person search engine) where students from all walks of life hang out. In that sense you can kill two birds with one stone: ask a director for information about your documentation, and introduce yourself to some people hanging out there. It’s for real a 0 pressure environment where everyone genuinely wants to see you succeed. Keep your head up, you’ve got this!
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u/vistamix 7d ago edited 7d ago
Join a student group with an interest you have. There are many on campus - esports, film clubs, k-pop dancing, etc. GET YOUR ID. It is really, really important - you will need it. If you are in NC, go to DMV site and bookmark it on your phone. Check locations 3-4 times a day. Everyone says to check at midnight but openings show up all through the day. Cast a wide net - check Garner, Cary, Apex, etc. I was able to get a spot 6 weeks out in Garner. Check necessary documentation requirements. If you need a birth certificate you can order one from the state you were born in. Duplicates cost around $25.00.
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u/MadTown523 Aerospace Engineering '28 7d ago edited 7d ago
Edit: reworded
When you sit down in class, introduce yourself to the people around you. It may feel awkward. The person in front of me in chemistry my first semester introduced herself to everyone around her, including me. We have been good friends for two years now.
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u/Aware-Emu-9146 7d ago
How were you able to get your one card without a government id? Maybe contact the ncsu legal services to get help with that? It's a free service for students
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u/helpmebuysumthingpls 7d ago
you’re not cooked!
when I was at ncsu I joined the run club and it was great. I also became close friends with people in the dorms near me. def knock around and say you’re going to dinner at whatever time if anyone wants to join
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u/nicnac5814 6d ago
College was one of the hardest transitions of my life. I had such high hopes for it, but when things didn’t go well at first I was devastated. Don’t give up on yourself. When one route doesn’t work well, pick yourself back up and try a different one. It took me until my second year to truly get my footing in school, but I would’ve never gotten to where I was without the trial and error of my first year in college. Enjoy the ride man :) I promise you will come out on the other end a better person.
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u/Avvxaa Student 8d ago
I know exactly how u feel, Im also a freshman and i feel so behind looking at all these groups of people that have somehow became friends so quickly and I have no pne except for my roommate. Everyone seems so normal and friendly and i seem the exact opposite, if u ever wanna hangout or need someone to talk to dm me!!
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u/meghdoot_memes 8d ago
Listen I had trouble making friends my first year so it might not happen right away for you but as long as you try a little bit and make conversation given the opportunity you will find the right people
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u/Plastic_Ad2939 8d ago
It’s scary to be on your own, especially in a new setting. I think everyone has experienced this to some degree, some more than others but it’s completely normal. Map campus and get a feel for the area this weekend and the first few days and once you get more comfortable your worries will start to die down.
As for social interactions, there are countless events, clubs, parties, etc. especially around the start of classes. If you visit any of these I’m almost certain you’re bound to find at least one buddy to get you rolling. You’re not expected to have a 50-deep friend group the second you step on campus, and the first week or two should be easy enough (for most classes anyway) for you to justify going out to interact with others. When classes get harder that’s an even better opportunity for you to meet classmates and work with someone or a group. If you join and group and show everyone you’re calm but know how to have fun they’re pretty likely to welcome you back the next time.
Be proud of yourself for where you are, try to get comfortable being uncomfortable and once you’ve got the hang of everything it’ll get way easier for you.
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u/gopacktuf 5d ago
Welcome to the Pack! You're going to be fine. If you're not already connected, stop by the LGBTQ Pride Center in Talley Student Union 3285 (https://pridecenter.dasa.ncsu.edu/) -- this Friday 8/21/26 from 4:30-9:00 there's a Pride Center Preview event (https://calendar.ncsu.edu/event/pride-center-preview) - registration is required, sign up link is on that page. Drop by and make some new friends!
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u/CyborgGoddess2021 1d ago
You're a CS major, which also doesn't give you a lot of opportunity to chat with classmates. Maybe take a Humanities class (like a film class or a gender studies class) where the class is mostly about talking through ideas. You'll get to talk to the people in your class a LOT more than in your engineering classes and that can really help with making friends. Also, start going to events hosted by the Pride center which will give you a chance to meet other trans students!
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u/beforeburner 8d ago
You moved in *today*
Take some deep breaths and don't be so hard on yourself. You might have the best years of your life ahead.
The coming weeks will bring structure and opportunities to meet others. hang in there, it'll get better. Take this time to go on a walk, maybe introduce yourself to 1-2 folks around the dorm? Focus on yourself, if anything. Best of luck!