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One university attendee spent most of his orientation week browsing through social media, seeing content about peers enjoying evenings out.

"I stayed indoors," Robert recalls, characterizing that period as the loneliest time of his life.

Robert's flatmates rarely went out, and his program didn't seem especially friendly.

Even though he made efforts by participating in sample activities for different clubs, he couldn't find people he connected with.

"I started to lose my self-esteem," he says. "I felt like people didn't want to be friends with me, or they didn't appreciate me."

Digital Platform Contrasts

At first, Robert had no intention of going to university and had a job offer for post-secondary education.

However he observed his peers enjoying themselves as university attendees on social media.

"When you must rise for work on Thursday at the morning hour and you observe peers partied on Wednesday night, you start feeling others have it better," Robert explains.

College Anticipations

Television programs and social media can romanticize the concept of student life.

Many individuals come to university with strong assumptions for what they think could be the best years of their lives.

Various learners begin their studies with "idealistic views," says a counselling manager.

Research Results

• According to research of new students initially, the primary worry was fitting in and being accepted
• Additional research through polling organizations, 17% of students said they had no friends at university
• Over one-third reported they worried daily or weekly about forming friendships

Personal Experiences

Alisha Miah's social media content was full of videos of girls having fun while cohabitating in student houses.

However when Alisha moved from her hometown to university to study journalism, she found freshers' week "overwhelming" because of the drinking culture it involved.

She abstains from alcohol and had never been clubbing before.

"I utilized considerable time initially within my living space," she says. "I simply experienced slightly disconnected."

Emotional Wellbeing Factors

In a 2025 survey of more than 10,000 college learners, a significant portion mentioned they contemplated leaving university.

The main cause was their mental and emotional health, succeeded by monetary worries.

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

Discovering Answers

With time, the students eventually adapted and formed relationships.

Alisha made friends through her course and via social media, while another student became more content once she was able to move in with friends.

Practical Advice

Regarding his experience, presently older and in his concluding studies, it was engaging in performance groups and getting a part-time job that helped him make friends.

The suggested approach to new attendees struggling to socialize is to just "get out of your room" and attend organization sample activities.

"After a few weeks of regular attendance, others notice your presence," he mentions, "you recognise theirs, and you start making friends."