Not having a fantastic time at university? Many share your feelings.
Robert Medhurst passed the majority of his orientation week browsing through social media, viewing updates about other students' fun nights out.
"I stayed indoors," Robert recalls, depicting those days as the loneliest time of his life.
His housemates seldom socialized, and his course didn't feel particularly social.
Despite putting himself out there by attending trial events for multiple organizations, he couldn't find his people.
"I started to lose my self-assurance," he says. "I believed others weren't interested to become my friends, or they weren't fond of me."
Digital Platform Contrasts
At first, Robert had no intention of attending college and had a job offer for after sixth form.
Yet he watched his acquaintances enjoying themselves as students on Instagram.
"When you need to wake up for your job during the week at nine in the morning and you notice others went out on Wednesday night, you start feeling others have it better," Robert explains.
University Expectations
Media content and digital networks can glorify the idea of college existence.
Numerous students begin university with strong assumptions for what they believe could be the most wonderful time of their lives.
Certain attendees come to university with "rose-tinted glasses," notes a support services coordinator.
Survey Findings
- Through surveys of new students initially, the main anxiety was finding their place and being accepted
- Further studies by market research agencies, nearly one-fifth of attendees said they lacked friendships at university
- Over one-third reported they worried daily or weekly about forming friendships
Personal Experiences
A different attendee's TikTok feed was populated with clips of students enjoying themselves while sharing accommodation in student houses.
But when she transferred from her hometown to university to pursue media studies, she found initial days "daunting" because of how much alcohol it involved.
Alisha doesn't drink and had not experienced nightlife before.
"I utilized a lot of freshers' week in my room," she says. "I merely sensed slightly disconnected."
Emotional Wellbeing Factors
Through current studies of over ten thousand university attendees, 29% said they had considered leaving university.
The most common reason was psychological wellbeing, succeeded by financial concerns.
"Anxiety about these various aspects is very widespread, and typical," explains a counselling expert.
Finding Solutions
Over periods, all three individuals eventually adapted and developed friendships.
She built connections via her studies and using online platforms, while another student became more content when she could to relocate with companions.
Helpful Recommendations
Regarding his experience, currently in his mid-twenties and in his last year, it was joining his university's drama society and getting a part-time job that helped him make friends.
Robert's advice to first-year students finding social interaction difficult 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 become familiar with them, and friendships begin forming."