🔗 Share this article

One university attendee spent most of his orientation week looking at online platforms, reading posts about fellow students partying.

"I remained in my room," Robert explains, describing the week as the most isolated period of his life.

Robert's flatmates didn't go out much, and his course didn't feel particularly social.

Despite putting himself out there by attending trial events for various societies, he was unable to locate people he connected with.

"I gradually lost my confidence," he says. "I believed people didn't want to become my friends, or they didn't like me."

Digital Platform Contrasts

Initially, Robert didn't plan of going to university and was offered positions for after sixth form.

Yet he observed his peers having great fun as university attendees on social media.

"When you've got to get up for your job during the week at the morning hour and you notice others went out on the previous evening, you begin believing the grass is greener," Robert mentions.

College Anticipations

Media content and social media can glorify the idea of college existence.

Numerous students arrive at college with great anticipations for what they believe could be the greatest period of their lives.

Various learners come to university with "optimistic perspectives," says a mental health professional.

Study Outcomes

• In a poll of first-year attendees early on, the primary worry was fitting in and feeling included
• In another survey by market research agencies, 17% of students said they lacked friendships at university
• 37% said they worried daily or weekly about making friends

Personal Journeys

Alisha Miah's online videos was filled with content of peers socializing while sharing accommodation in university housing.

Yet when Alisha moved from London to Sheffield to study journalism, she found freshers' week "overwhelming" because of the drinking culture it involved.

Alisha doesn't drink and had never been clubbing before.

"I did spend a lot of freshers' week within my living space," she says. "I just felt a bit alienated."

Psychological Aspects

In a 2025 survey of numerous college learners, 29% said they contemplated leaving university.

The primary factor was emotional state, accompanied by monetary worries.

"Worry regarding these multiple factors is extremely prevalent, and typical," notes a counselling expert.

Discovering Answers

Eventually, Robert, Alisha and Christina eventually adapted and formed relationships.

She built connections during classes and via social media, while Christina felt happier after being able to relocate with companions.

Useful Suggestions

In his case, now 24 and in his final year, it was participating in theater activities and working occasionally that assisted in relationship building.

Robert's advice to first-year students experiencing connection challenges is to simply leave your accommodation and participate in group trial sessions.

"Subsequent to periods of consistently showing up, people recognise your face," he mentions, "you notice their presence, and friendships begin forming."