I started at the Oakland campus, then moved to Boston for my second year. So I basically had to start from zero twice. New city, new dorm, and the first few weeks were me, my roommate, and whoever was in the elevator.
It still feels like that sometimes. I'm in a class with like 70 people and we all act like strangers. Same lecture every week, zero idea who anyone is. Then I'd find out way too late that someone in there also lived in my dorm, and played soccer, AND was just as obsessed with CW Flash as me. We'd been around each other for weeks and never talked, because there was no reason to.
So I spent the last few weeks building an app I called Ruggles. You tag yourself (hometown, dorm, classes, sports, shows, whatever you want really) and you can see who here shares that with you. You can even stack them, like "lives in West Village + supports Sunderland + loves Ninjago + in MATH 1342." You only add what you're comfortable sharing.
Every Tuesday it also puts you in a small group with people who overlap with you and suggests something to do together. It's still early, so the more people join, the better the groups get.
I'm just a fellow Husky who got tired of the empty lecture hall feeling. If you've felt that too, I'd really appreciate you trying it. It's only for Northeastern students for now, so all you need to sign up is your Northeastern email.
Also, what’s the most random thing you found out you had in common with someone way too late?
App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ruggles/id6816826717
Website: https://ruggles.app