r/CalPolyHumboldt

I’m considering transferring to a school in california and humboldt checks a lot of my boxes. I’m concerned about how isolating/lonely it seems up there. I hate small towns but every small town i’ve lived in had nothing to do and no one to meet. The outdoor rec seems amazing and is one of the things that drew me. So I know that I wouldn’t be too bored there (especially because i’d be a biochem major and would have to study a lot). But i’m also worried about how lonely/ remote it is.

Me again lol Are there any frats at this school? Ngl I think this school isn't for me.... but at the end of the day it is my fault should have done more research lol

I'm 28F and this will be my second year at Humboldt. I didnt make any friends last year which was fine because adjusting to university life took up all of my energy. But, this year I want to try to make some connections!

A little about me (sorry if this reads like a dating profile)

I'm an EnvSci major and my hobbies are:

- playing videogames (e.g. BOTW, TOTK, Skyrim, BG3, etc.)

- going on easy hikes

- drinking

- smoking

- playing boardgames (Everdell, Smash Up, 5min Dungeon, Clue, etc.)

- having meaningful conversations

- cruising around aimlessly and taking turns playing good music

- freshwater fishing

- looking for geocaches

- looking for agates on agate beach

- looking for nudibranches on agate beach

- arts and crafts (beading, watercolor, clay, coloring etc)

- collecting pokemon cards

- sitting in a beautiful spot with drinks, a pen, and good vibes

- baking

- drunk baking

- making tea

- foraging for plants and mushrooms

Anyone else think it's incredibly stupid that the fin aid offices are closed until 11:30 am today (day of disbursement) to celebrate the new school president? Like wouldn't you think fin aid would need all the time they can get to work out issues that arise?

Waiting anxiously myself

This is my my first impressions review of cal poly Humboldt.

Part 1/3

I’m a first year. I will gather pictures of the campus in its entirety for part 2 around winter break.

The campus is located right along the forest and has different entrances with differing experiences. The j is the main dining hall and is typical buffet style. The swipes and guest meal swipes can’t be used on the weekend there apparently so I guess I have to upgrade to a 7 day meal plan. Staff and student staff? Are extremely respective, helpful, and seem genuinely kind.

There are a significant amount of stairs depending where you want to go there aren’t enough to be problematic though unless maybe you’re a part of the canyon dorms which are built into the forest hill going up. A good tip is using the stairs as much as you can so you’re adjusted an entire year of that will serve your health.

I am in the co-ed building and people seem pretty lively 9/10 approaches are very friendly if there’s a group maybe one of them can be stand offish.

It’s pretty easy during welcome week to make some friends and that’s coming from someone with ASD. The bathrooms are ok and there’s one jerk who decided that they should pee on the toilet seat but the fool doesn’t realize that making that a standard means he’s going to have to deal with urine all over where he has to defecate.

My roommate is pretty chill and brought a lot of items that show off his depth. The weather is very nice and it’s basically still summer. Activity can make you heat up because the humidity won’t allow the sweat to evaporate effectively.

So far the people calling this school the worst decision of their life and the town unfriendly are exaggerating. BackWood burritos are so good dude the guy who s them is located in front of the theater.

Do be careful though… financial pressure can drive people into a dark hole and maybe those type of people who hate here ended up there. Make sure you don’t waste your four years here. Get experience meet people. The key to success is meeting successful people before they’re successful. You will try to match them and build a connection.

Other than that good luck everyone. Also remember you paid money to be here it’s your environment and ecosystem. Making sure it’s your community and space it will do wonders toward your future success.

P.S. Cedrick the best RA

Freshmen guy here how is the party scene. Is it non existent? I have a fake so would that help me getting into the bars, from what it seems the town is small so I am guessing using a fake here would be hard. Thanks in advance for the feedback!

Hi all, long story short, I'm over the attempted credit limit which makes me ineligible for financial aid. On July 31st I submitted a SAP appeal, and it's still "in review." I was hoping it would've gone through before the day that tuition is due, as I still don't know if I'm even going to be eligible for aid or not. Should I go ahead and pay tuition now, or wait until my appeal is done being reviewed? Is anyone else in this situation right now?

im a freshman and I just moved into the dorms today, im wondering where are the local shows/fun activities around here

So- financial aid is pending and the first payment for tuition is due on Monday. What the hell am I supposed to do? Kindly, an incoming freshman. Thank you!

New to the area and with a full-time class schedule coming up, any recommendations where I can look for some part-time jobs with student life in mind (main availability being in the evenings and on weekends)

Any suggestions are appreciated, thanks

Any popular bars to check out ? Transferred this semester so tryna get a feel for the place

Hi! I transferred to CPH for this semester, but didn’t realize I’d forgotten to submit an ID photo. I’m aware you need this to access your dorm and meal plan, so I’m worried. What will I need to do when I arrive on Monday to assess this?

Thinking of going to this school next year, im a senior rn. I was wondering what kind of financial aid is offered for students who don't qualify for need based aid. I know about the WUE and im sure that will be applied because im from Arizona but its still just a tiny bit out of my range. Im thinking I can work quite a bit to try and minimize loans but ive heard the job market is not very good there. Also wondering what exactly there is to do there, im very into the outdoors (which is mainly why im choosing this school), is surfing, rock climbing, hiking, scuba diving popular here? Do people here get bored in their later years and transfer out. How often do students make the drive to San fran or the nearest oregon city? What is the food like in the dining halls? Should I bring my car and bike or is the town small enough to where I dont need it. Is there lots of "hippies" and Portland type people. Thanks for all the help. Im planning to be an Environmental Science major with a specialty in GIS

I'm currently taking two years off of college (health stuff), and while I like Cal Poly Pomona, it may be difficult for me to go back to eventually. I was thinking of transferring to Humboldt, but I don't know a whole lot about the research options over there. Are there good programs for genetics and/or fungi labs? That's what I specialize in so it's very important to me.

I’m transferring to CalPoly this semester as a senior. My schedule and classes are already 100% sorted out with my advisor. I also already completely finished the mandatory "Transfer & Returning Student Registration Tutorial" course on Canvas, including the online Title IX module and the registration survey. And I uploaded my pic for student ID.

The in-person orientation schedule looks like a lot of general "welcome to college" fluff and things like trail safety, and chalk art? Feels like a tedious waste of time for someone familiar with college in general and completed the online training modules.

The website says the in-person orientation day is "mandatory," but is it really? Will an administrative hold be placed on me if I skip the quad check-in and theater sessions entirely, or does completing the Canvas tutorial cover my bases?

Or ....am I being a misanthropic grump? Is the 8:00 a.m. sidewalk chalk art activity. free coffee and random lectures on trail safely possibly going to change my life and heal my soul if I show up?

Would love to hear from past transfers on whether you showed up and stayed for everything, showed up got your packet and bounced, or ghosted orientation and just picked up student ID etc at the library later.

Thanks!

For reference the schedule : Morning Block (General Introductions & Safety)

• 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM (University Quad): Check-in, light breakfast, coffee, and sidewalk chalking.
• 9:00 AM – 9:15 AM (JVD Theater): Orientation welcome by the President and Student President.
• 9:15 AM – 9:40 AM (JVD Theater): Dean of Students welcome regarding student well-being.
• 9:40 AM – 10:00 AM (JVD Theater): Title IX and Campus Advocate Team resource overview.
• 10:00 AM – 10:15 AM (JVD Theater): CHECK IT student-led session on consent culture.
• 10:15 AM – 10:40 AM (JVD Theater): Wellness resources, counseling, and health center logistics.
• 10:40 AM – 11:05 AM (JVD Theater): Institutional data presentation and the first Humboldt Survey.
• 11:05 AM – 11:15 AM: Morning break.

🎓 Mid-Day Block (Academics & Resources)

• 11:15 AM – 12:15 PM (Various Rooms): Academic College Q&A Panels.
  • Arts, Humanities, & Social Sciences: Founders Hall 118
  • Professional Studies: SCI B 133
  • Natural Resources & Sciences: Music B 132
• 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM (The J Cafeteria): Free lunch and social time with ambassadors.
• 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM (JVD Theater): Outdoor safety tips for local trails and coastlines.
• 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM (JVD Theater): Campus Resource Panel with staff and campus leaders.
• 2:30 PM – 3:00 PM (JVD Theater/Quad): Lumberjack Commitment campus values introduction.
• 3:00 PM – 3:15 PM: Afternoon break.

🚲 Late Afternoon & Evening (Optional Sessions)

• 3:15 PM – 4:15 PM (Major Room Locations): Major exploration meetings with Department Chairs.
• 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM (Harry Griffith Hall Bike Station): All-abilities group bike ride to Arcata Marsh.
• 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM (JGC Rec Room & Cypress Lawn): Boba & Bingo (On-campus residents only).
• 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM (Forbes Gym): Casual drop-in basketball games.

I’ve already been here a year but didn’t really put myself out there last year so I’m trying to change that. What do you guys recommend for making friends at Humboldt? Not only events and clubs and stuff but also just generally how to approach people lol

Does anyone know how to turn the hallway lights off in cypress? Theres switches for every single other light in this dorm, including the exterior ones, except the hallway lights in my suite. Anyone know how to turn them off?

Is the airplane noise bad in McKinleyville?

What’s the best place to live Arcata, McKinleyville, or Eureka?

I’m an income in grad student. I prefer Arcata, but there are not a lot of places for rent. I need a two - three bedroom.