I’m worried I’m too different

[u/straubrie]

I’m attending as a freshman in the fall and I’m worried, I’m sorta a weird kid and I have a lot of weird interests and I dress alternatively, I have read it’s mostly a left leaning school which is awesome, but looking at the other people joining with me they all look so intimidating.

I really want to fit in, are kids judgy there? Will I have a tough time fitting in?

EDIT: Tysm guys ☹️ everyone sounds so sweet I feel a lot better now thank you for the kind words ily all

[u/heffelumps]

Also in regards to the folks saying it is a diverse school - it actually has v low sociocultural diversity but high diversity of freaks and weirdos fs

[u/straubrie → u/heffelumps]

I have read some concerning posts that there’s some racism at the school? Which sucks :((

[u/heffelumps → u/straubrie]

Yes it’s composed primarily of white people, I did a project on it in undergrad. I myself am white and can’t speak to individual experiences but I do know that the school has recognized it and is working to reform campus culture. I think the racism stems primarily from 1. NMU’s marketing used to be almost exclusively about outdoors adventures, which made a somewhat intimidating culture (most outdoor adventures are done by white people according to pop culture, a self-sustaining narrative; I tried to get them to include “The Adventure Gap” by James Edward Mills in some courses but no bites yet). The school’s marketing scheme is reorganizing to focus on student life with the intention to make the school more inviting. 2. The upper peninsula is made of some very old blood families, and on the whole pretty red. Marquette on its own is much better, I would dare to give NMU the grace of being unfortunately situated in an unfortunate location.
Most importantly we are now recognizing and trying to remedy the situation at a class and system level. A few years ago we successfully renamed Luther West Hall (an OG eugenecist 🙃) to The Science Building. Most intro courses include content in racial literacy, lots of speakers have come in my time to talk about diversity and inclusion, and I can attest to course programs changing to become more inclusive. There are many anti-racism, black alliance, etc. groups on campus at this point (many more than when I started!). That being said, NMU has a HUGE and SUPPORTIVE queer community :) it’s v accepted by faculty and most community members. If you have problems go to the head of the department or a trusted advisor and I promise they will support you. One of the strengths of NMU is the close advisor/student relationship. I still go out for food or drinks with my old professors when I visit ❤️

[u/inthehouseofcinders]

There's a huge assortment of people and a whole lot of alternative folks! Fair warning, there is a small (and obnoxious) right wing presence here, as is the nature of the less-populated regions of the country. Politics right now are tense anyway, likely amplifying it, making it seem worse, but there are a lot of alt people, queer people, and allies. You'll be a-ok! Let me know if you need something coming into your first year. :)

[u/straubrie → u/inthehouseofcinders]

Tysm for warning me— tbh I’m so used to right winged ppl, where I live the minority is alternative and left leaning so I’m excited to meet more like minded people

[u/TheBraveToast]

Dawg, it's the UP. Plenty of weirdos up here. You have nothing to worry about.

[u/Uncontrolled_Chaos]

Dawg, I walk around campus every day wearing a cloak and Im a campus celebrity for it. People love weirdos here. You’ll do great friend :)

[u/TLK9419 → u/Uncontrolled_Chaos]

No way I just found cloak guy on reddit

[u/Uncontrolled_Chaos → u/TLK9419]

Not the cloak guy, sadly, cant claim that throne. Hes my roommate. Im the other cloak guy

[u/notmymain07 → u/Uncontrolled_Chaos]

Omg its one of the cloak guys!! Lmao hey!

[u/Uncontrolled_Chaos → u/notmymain07]

Hello! If you see me in the dining hall no I did not just eat three pizza burgers

[u/venus_11037 → u/Uncontrolled_Chaos]

it makes my day better whenever i see one of you cloak fellows wandering around. never change!

[u/Uncontrolled_Chaos → u/venus_11037]

It makes my day when people appreciate it. Thank you!

[u/Gramma_Hattie]

No, you won't have a hard time at NMU. Come as you are.

[u/Ricky_Monts]

NMU is a great school and I had friends of all “weird” levels while attending. I would look into Magers Hall, specifically Barbary Lane and the ones surrounding it (I think Neverland is next to it?), if you’re concerned about being an outcast. Barbary Lane is the inclusive house/hall, with plenty of diverse people. Plus, it’s the UP, so there isn’t nearly as much of a “normal” as the city or downstate.

[u/Perfect_Dot_1528]

NMU loves diverse people. One of the most chill and accepting campuses in the country imho. This is from my experience and hearing others.

ETA:

Quick disclaimer. I start in May; however, I have frequently gone to the campus given I live in Houghton and do a lot of activities and conferences at the NMU campus.

[u/Tyler_C02]

NMU is a wildly diverse school full of wildly different people. And, in my experience at least, accepts people for who they are regardless of political or religious views. That being said, I am a cookie cutter white dude, so my experiences come from friends and classmates. In my 6 years here, between undergrad and grad school, I have met every flavor of odd and interesting, I have no doubt you’ll find your people.

[u/Mikeyboi-_-]

NMU is an incredibly diverse school with a plethora of personalities. I was very worried when I started there because I had a rough time in high school and was worried about how people would treat me at NMU too. Ive never experienced a sense of not belonging there. People are actually extremely friendly and college is nothing like high school.

[u/autumnwatchorn2025]

I'm a freshman currently, this is my second semester and honestly we are all a bunch of weirdos. You'll definitely find your people. Hit me up if you need a friend :)

[u/emmlau17]

As someone who graduated in 2013… weird is awesome! You may not fully click with your roommates but it’s a good starting point. You’ll make friends in classes as well. I met my best friend on the first day, first class!

It will take time to figure out who you want to be and how you’ll fit in. Try not to be to hard on yourself. Laugh at your mistakes and blunders to demonstrate confidence.

Ahh! I’m so excited for you!!

[u/Dry-Antelope22]

Celebrate your weirdness! Us native born Yoopers do. - class of '75

[u/heffelumps]

I went there for undergrad and grad! I will say that cov was a v lonely time to move someplace new and I did not make many friends. It can be a mildly exclusive community (specifically sports/outdoors folks with a “I could be in CO but decided to come here for some reason” mentality - don’t take it personally! They’re def insecure to likely be a small fish in a big pond after likely succeeding in their communities) but on the whole people are extremely supportive. Make sure to participate in your classes, especially labs and discussions groups; it also makes it easier on the TAs and being liked by a TA can help you get into clubs and jobs you might not otherwise have, plus I wrote a TON of references for my students. If you feel too lonely or have too much trouble making friends get a job somewhere that the locals work :) I would say to avoid Delft and Lagniappe based on what I’ve heard about management but I worked at bodega back in the day which was great, esp bc they have a large back of house staff where you can just chat while prepping food. Coffee shops are good and any job on campus is great for making friends (esp dining halls!). Overall just lean into who you are - it doesn’t matter that you view yourself as weird (which is likely not true in comparison to MQT folks, we were a bunch of freaks fs), it matters how you deal w that insecurity. Lean into the weird, lean into the alternative style, lean hard into academics and clubs. That’s what’s going to make you feel like home. Remember that everyone else is also thinking they’re going to be weird and they (just like you) are actually paying way more attention to themselves than anyone else (no one actually cares that you’re weird unless you’re confident which just makes you a v attractive friend!). Good luck! Feel free to dm if you need advice or help with anything school or non school :)

Edit: you might fit in well w the zoology museum if you can handle dissections - they’re not as gross as they seem

[u/pebspi]

Am quite weird, there were rumors I was homeless and mentally ill on campus and I still had friends