Are you happy?

<p>I know it's a very vague and subjective topic, but in general, how happy are students at Northwestern about their school? When you live on campus, you know you can sense a vibe that's happy or depressed or chill or whatever....
I hear all the time that WashU is a happy school. it's a very appealing aspect.
What's northwestern like, you think?</p>

<p>Interesting question. I would say, overall, the majority of people like it here--but they might not show it. There's certainly a lot of complaining, whether it to be from academics to sports to social scene to weather. But despite all the whining, I don't think it really affects people's outlooks too heavily. I spend so much time ranting about how awful the Daily is, how disappointed I may be with some classes, or how racially segregated the campus can be, but when it comes down to it, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. And I even think this complaining propels students in action--one thing NU students are great about is identifying a hole, or what's missing, in the NU experience, and working extra hard to fill that.</p>

<p>That sounds like ppl complain a lot in general though, regardless of whether they are really happy or not.. is that so?</p>

<p>hmm.. i didn't know the campus was that racially segregrated.. although i should've known i guess. that's usually the case, it seems</p>

<p>I don't know where the racially segregated part is coming from. :/ I hang out with people of literally every race without even trying, and I see others doing that commonly.</p>

<p>Mom here--is that allowed? My freshman son is having a blast at Northwestern, perhaps too much of a blast but I don't know. No grades yet! I don't know anything about segregation, but he really likes his roommate (of a different religion and in a different school/major), likes his dorm mates (from all over the country and from many other countries) and has enjoyed going into Evanston (he's south campus, only a block from the biggest Whole Foods I've ever seen$$) and traveling to Chicago for various musical events (indie band, Lyric Opera). He's very, very happy. Has only complained that the mail is a little slow in his dorm.</p>

<p>It's a really diverse university as far as majors--from engineering to journalism to music to liberal arts, etc. One thing to note, it's not a liberal arts college, so you will come across people who are focusing on a particular major earlier than you might. That said, WCAS (the liberal arts school within NU) is the biggest school by far (half of undergraduates? not quite sure) and it is not uncommon for people to switch not only majors but switch schools, such as music to liberal arts or the like.</p>