🔗 Share this article

One university attendee spent most of his freshers' week browsing through online platforms, viewing updates about fellow students partying.

"I was just in bed," Robert recalls, describing the week as the most isolated period of his life.

The people he lived with rarely went out, and his studies didn't appear very sociable.

Although he tried by going to taster sessions for different clubs, he couldn't find like-minded individuals.

"I started to lose my self-assurance," he says. "I believed people didn't want to form friendships with me, or they didn't like me."

Online Network Judgments

At first, Robert had no intention of going to university and was offered positions for after sixth form.

Yet he watched his acquaintances living it up as students on Instagram.

"When you must rise for work on Thursday at 9:00 and you see someone's been out on the previous evening, you do start thinking the grass is greener," Robert says.

University Expectations

Television programs and social media can idealize the notion of college existence.

Many individuals arrive at college with high expectations for what they believe could be the most wonderful time of their lives.

Some students arrive at college with "idealistic views," explains a support services coordinator.

Research Results

• In a poll of new students initially, the main anxiety was belonging and finding acceptance
• Additional research by market research agencies, nearly one-fifth of attendees said they were without companions at university
• 37% said they experienced concern frequently about building relationships

Personal Journeys

Another student's social media content was filled with content of students enjoying themselves while cohabitating in student houses.

Yet when she transferred from her previous location to campus to study journalism, she found orientation period "overwhelming" because of the drinking culture it involved.

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

"I utilized a lot of freshers' week inside my accommodation," she says. "I simply experienced somewhat isolated."

Mental Health Considerations

In a 2025 survey of more than 10,000 university attendees, a significant portion mentioned they contemplated dropping out.

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

"Worry regarding these multiple factors is extremely prevalent, and normal," adds a support specialist.

Discovering Answers

Eventually, all three individuals eventually adapted and developed friendships.

Alisha made friends during classes and via social media, while Christina felt happier once she was able to relocate with companions.

Helpful Recommendations

Regarding his experience, now 24 and in his final year, it was participating in theater activities and getting a part-time job that helped him make friends.

His recommendation to new attendees finding social interaction difficult is to simply leave your accommodation and attend organization sample activities.

"After a few weeks of continuous participation, people recognise your face," he explains, "you become familiar with them, and relationships start developing."