Struggling to have the time of your life at university? You're not alone.
A student named Robert spent most of his freshers' week scrolling through digital networks, reading posts about fellow students partying.
"I was just in bed," Robert explains, depicting those days as the loneliest time of his life.
Robert's flatmates seldom socialized, and his course didn't feel very sociable.
Although he tried by going to taster sessions for different clubs, he was unable to locate like-minded individuals.
"I gradually lost my confidence," he says. "It seemed that others weren't interested to form friendships with me, or they weren't fond of me."
Online Network Judgments
Initially, Robert didn't plan of studying at university and was offered positions for after sixth form.
However he saw his friends having great fun as students on Instagram.
"When you must rise for your job during the week at 9:00 and you notice others went out on Wednesday night, you start feeling situations appear superior," Robert explains.
Higher Education Assumptions
Television programs and digital networks can glorify the idea of college existence.
Lots of people arrive at college with high expectations for what they imagine could be the best years of their lives.
Certain attendees come to university with "rose-tinted glasses," notes a mental health professional.
Research Results
- In a poll of new students initially, students' biggest concern was belonging and feeling included
- In another survey through polling organizations, a significant minority said they were without companions at university
- Over one-third reported they felt anxious regularly about building relationships
Personal Experiences
A different attendee's social media content was full of videos of peers socializing while cohabitating in university housing.
But when she transferred from her hometown to university to pursue media studies, she found initial days "overwhelming" because of the substance involvement it involved.
She avoids drinking and had not experienced nightlife before.
"I utilized a lot of freshers' week in my room," she says. "I just felt a bit alienated."
Emotional Wellbeing Factors
In a 2025 survey of more than 10,000 college learners, nearly one-third reported they contemplated leaving university.
The most common reason was psychological wellbeing, accompanied by monetary worries.
"Concern over all of these different things is massively common, and typical," notes a mental health professional.
Discovering Answers
Eventually, Robert, Alisha and Christina all found their feet and built connections.
She formed relationships through her course and through TikTok, while the individual experienced improvement once she was able to share accommodation with peers.
Helpful Recommendations
Regarding his experience, currently in his mid-twenties and in his last year, it was joining his university's drama society and employment during studies that assisted in relationship building.
Robert's advice to first-year students experiencing connection challenges is to simply leave your accommodation and go to club and society taster events.
"After a few weeks of continuous participation, others notice your presence," he mentions, "you notice their presence, and friendships begin forming."
