Failing to find a fantastic time at college? You're not alone.
A student named Robert used up much of his orientation week scrolling through social media, seeing content about peers enjoying evenings out.
"I was just in bed," Robert explains, depicting those days as the loneliest time of his life.
The people he lived with rarely went out, and his course didn't feel very sociable.
Although he tried by going to taster sessions for various societies, he was unable to locate his people.
"I gradually lost my confidence," he says. "I felt like people didn't want to form friendships with me, or they didn't appreciate me."
Digital Platform Contrasts
Originally, Robert had no intention of going to university and received employment offers for following college.
However he watched his acquaintances having great fun as students on Instagram.
"When you need to wake up for employment on weekdays at nine in the morning and you observe peers partied on Wednesday night, you start feeling the grass is greener," Robert explains.
University Expectations
Media content and social media can idealize the notion of student life.
Lots of people arrive at college with high expectations for what they think could be the greatest period of their lives.
Various learners begin their studies with "optimistic perspectives," says a mental health professional.
Survey Findings
- In a poll of freshers in their first week, the main anxiety was belonging and feeling included
- Further studies through polling organizations, nearly one-fifth of attendees said they had no friends at university
- A substantial portion mentioned they worried daily or weekly about making friends
Personal Journeys
Alisha Miah's TikTok feed was full of videos of peers socializing while living together in college residences.
Yet when Alisha moved from her hometown to university to pursue media studies, she found initial days "daunting" because of the drinking culture it involved.
She abstains from alcohol and had avoided party scenes before.
"I utilized much of orientation within my living space," she says. "I simply experienced a bit alienated."
Emotional Wellbeing Factors
In a 2025 survey of more than 10,000 college learners, a significant portion mentioned they had considered withdrawing from studies.
The main cause was their mental and emotional health, accompanied by economic considerations.
"Concern over these multiple factors is extremely prevalent, and normal," notes a support specialist.
Finding Solutions
With time, Robert, Alisha and Christina gradually adjusted and formed relationships.
She built connections during classes and via social media, while the individual experienced improvement once she was able to relocate with companions.
Useful Suggestions
In his case, presently older and in his concluding studies, it was participating in theater activities and working occasionally that assisted in relationship building.
The suggested approach to new attendees finding social interaction difficult is to just "get out of your room" and attend organization sample activities.
"Following several weeks of regular attendance, others notice your presence," Robert says, "you notice their presence, and you start making friends."