Anyone else feel like UTD just feels… off lately? (2026 senior)
I came in around 2022, so I didn’t experience UTD before COVID, but I’ve heard enough from older students to feel like something changed.
And honestly, it’s not even about academics. It’s the people and the day-to-day interactions.
Lately I’ve been noticing things that feel small, but add up:
Saying hi to someone I know and getting straight up ignored
Getting a weird look like I’m out of place for being friendly
People not really respecting boundaries when talking, either too closed off or the complete opposite
No basic “excuse me,” people cutting lines, or just not being aware of others around them
Group work where people just disappear and don’t communicate
It just feels… off. Like the social awareness and basic manners aren’t the same.
And I genuinely don’t know, was UTD always like this? Or is this something newer?
I didn’t see the pre-COVID version of campus, so I can’t compare directly. But from what I’ve heard, people used to be a bit more open, more respectful, more willing to actually connect.
Now it feels more distant, more transactional, sometimes even a little cold.
I’m not saying everyone is like this, I’ve met some great people here. But the overall vibe feels different than what I expected college to be.
Curious if anyone else has noticed this, or if I’m just overthinking it since I’m about to graduate.
If you’ve been here longer (or even recently), what’s your experience been like?
Do you feel a shift, or has it always been this way?