Listening to UC San Diego students

Student Perspectives

Hundreds of students have shared what's on their minds. Hear them in their own words, and see what we're building from it.

Asked what fills his soul at UC San Diego:

It's always people centered. Scoring goals with my teammates, dancing with my club, being on stage surrounded by people I care about.

2nd year
On getting out of her comfort zone freshman year:

It was scary and intimidating, but it brought me the most growth. Now it just feels like home.

2nd year · psychology
On her first week, completely lost on a huge campus:

I threw myself into everything. Joining my college's student council has probably been the best decision I've ever made.

2nd year
On introducing her roommate to a friend, just because:

Now they're hanging out on their own, which makes me so happy. Connecting people is a big part of my college experience.

3rd year
Her advice to any student passing a stranger on campus:

Ask someone in the elevator how their day is going. You never know, they could be your next best friend.

3rd year
On why it's hard to take the first step toward finding people:

It's intimidating to even show up to a tabling event alone. But the support is there once you do.

2nd year · psychology
On the pace of a campus this size:

It's easy to slip into isolation without noticing. The thing that helped most was just one small step toward people.

3rd year
Asked what fills his soul at UC San Diego:

It's always people centered. Scoring goals with my teammates, dancing with my club, being on stage surrounded by people I care about.

2nd year
On getting out of her comfort zone freshman year:

It was scary and intimidating, but it brought me the most growth. Now it just feels like home.

2nd year · psychology
On her first week, completely lost on a huge campus:

I threw myself into everything. Joining my college's student council has probably been the best decision I've ever made.

2nd year
On introducing her roommate to a friend, just because:

Now they're hanging out on their own, which makes me so happy. Connecting people is a big part of my college experience.

3rd year
Her advice to any student passing a stranger on campus:

Ask someone in the elevator how their day is going. You never know, they could be your next best friend.

3rd year
On why it's hard to take the first step toward finding people:

It's intimidating to even show up to a tabling event alone. But the support is there once you do.

2nd year · psychology
On the pace of a campus this size:

It's easy to slip into isolation without noticing. The thing that helped most was just one small step toward people.

3rd year
The voices

Press play. Listen in.

Ten students, ten conversations, in their own voices. Real stories from people walking the same campus as you.

UC San Diego Discovery

Connect. Gather. Create.

Discovery is how we connect with UC San Diego students: talking, writing, gathering, and building together. What we hear shapes what gets built, including the next version of Willo.

01
Conversations

Students sit down and talk, in their own words, about what's on their minds. We listen, and we share what they're willing to share, in their own voices.

02
The Collective Anonymous Journal

Questions students sit with, answered by other students, with contributions from hundreds of students and counting. Honest, often surprising, and a reminder you're not the only one wondering.

03
Physical spaces

Quiet corners built for connection. The Gathering Space turns events across campus into a place to slow down, with low tables, cushions, warm light, and the people around you.

04
Designs, in progress

What students say becomes form. We show the work while it's still taking shape, because the people it's for should see it first.

Save the date
Nov 16
Monday · 2026

Student Perspectives

UC San Diego Craft Center
Hear what students are saying, and see what we're making with it, unfinished and in the open, with students at the table.

Student Perspectives, a multimedia and interactive exhibition, brings it into one room for a week: portraits you can listen to, films, the Collective Anonymous Journal to read and add your own page to, and designs still taking shape. Free and open to everyone.

The Craft Center is where people who might never cross paths end up side by side, shaping clay, glass, or wood and talking while they work. It felt like the right room for this.

Watch
Get connected

Download Willo.

Where do I belong? Who can help? What here is for me?

Every student arrives at UC San Diego carrying questions they may not know how to ask. Willo is where those questions get answered: one front door to everything on campus that helps students learn, connect, create, eat, move, and find their footing. It was created here at UC San Diego, it's available now, and students shape it.

Connect with counseling services, find resources, and get the information you need to support your health and wellbeing.

Free · iPhone and Android · Sign in with your UC San Diego email
Coming Fall 2027

A new and improved Willo, shaped by UC San Diego students.

Have ideas? Curious to learn more? Students and faculty, drop a line below.

Get involved.

Want to share your story, volunteer, or bring your student organization or department? Tell us a little and we'll be in touch.

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UC San Diego Discovery, presented by Willo, was created at UC San Diego in partnership with the Jacobs Center for Health Innovation and UC San Diego Student Health and Wellbeing, alongside campus partners. The November 16 exhibition is presented by Willo in collaboration with the UC San Diego Craft Center.