Not having the time of your life at college? Many share your feelings.
Robert Medhurst spent most of his orientation week scrolling through online platforms, viewing updates about other students' fun nights out.
"I was just in bed," Robert recalls, characterizing that period as the most isolated period of his life.
The people he lived with seldom socialized, and his studies didn't appear very sociable.
Despite putting himself out there by attending trial events for different clubs, he didn't discover people he connected with.
"I started to lose my self-assurance," he says. "I felt like people didn't want to form friendships with me, or they didn't like me."
Online Network Judgments
Originally, Robert didn't plan of studying at university and was offered positions for after sixth form.
But then he saw his friends enjoying themselves as university attendees on social media.
"When you need to wake up for employment on weekdays at the morning hour and you notice others went out on the previous evening, you do start thinking the grass is greener," Robert says.
College Anticipations
Television programs and online platforms can idealize the notion of university living.
Many individuals begin university with strong assumptions for what they imagine could be the best years of their lives.
Certain attendees begin their studies with "rose-tinted glasses," says a counselling manager.
Research Results
- According to research of freshers in their first week, the primary worry was belonging and being accepted
- Further studies by market research agencies, nearly one-fifth of attendees said they had no friends at university
- Over one-third reported they experienced concern frequently about making friends
Personal Experiences
Alisha Miah's social media content was filled with content of students enjoying themselves while cohabitating in student houses.
Yet when she relocated from London to Sheffield to study journalism, she found orientation period "overwhelming" because of the substance involvement it involved.
She abstains from alcohol and had avoided party scenes before.
"I actually passed a lot of freshers' week in my room," she says. "I simply experienced somewhat isolated."
Mental Health Considerations
In a 2025 survey of numerous university attendees, nearly one-third reported they had considered leaving university.
The main cause was their mental and emotional health, followed by financial concerns.
"Concern over these multiple factors is massively common, and expected," notes a counselling expert.
Identifying Resolutions
With time, the students gradually adjusted and developed friendships.
She formed relationships during classes and via social media, while Christina felt happier once she was able to move in with friends.
Practical Advice
Regarding his experience, presently older and in his last year, it was engaging in performance groups and working occasionally that assisted in relationship building.
The suggested approach to beginning learners experiencing connection challenges is to simply leave your accommodation and go to club and society taster events.
"Subsequent to periods of continuous participation, others notice your presence," he explains, "you become familiar with them, and you start making friends."
