Failing to find a fantastic time at uni? Many share your feelings.
A student named Robert spent most of his first week at university looking at social media, reading posts about peers enjoying evenings out.
"I remained in my room," Robert recalls, depicting those days as the most isolated period of his life.
The people he lived with rarely went out, and his program didn't seem particularly social.
Despite putting himself out there by participating in sample activities for different clubs, he was unable to locate like-minded individuals.
"I gradually lost my self-assurance," he says. "I felt like others weren't interested to become my friends, or they didn't appreciate me."
Online Network Judgments
Initially, Robert wasn't considering of attending college and had a job offer for following college.
Yet he saw his friends living it up as students on Instagram.
"When you need to wake up for your job during the week at nine in the morning and you observe peers partied on the previous evening, you start feeling the grass is greener," Robert says.
College Anticipations
TV shows and digital networks can glorify the idea of college existence.
Lots of people begin university with high expectations for what they think could be the most wonderful time of their lives.
Various learners arrive at college with "rose-tinted glasses," explains a mental health professional.
Research Results
- Through surveys of new students initially, the main anxiety was fitting in and being accepted
- Further studies by market research agencies, a significant minority said they lacked friendships at university
- 37% said they experienced concern frequently about forming friendships
Personal Journeys
Another student's TikTok feed was full of videos of students enjoying themselves while living together in university housing.
However when she relocated from her previous location to campus to study journalism, she found orientation period "daunting" because of how much alcohol it involved.
She avoids drinking and had never been clubbing before.
"I actually passed much of orientation in my room," she says. "I simply experienced a bit alienated."
Emotional Wellbeing Factors
In a 2025 survey of over ten thousand university attendees, nearly one-third reported they thought about withdrawing from studies.
The primary factor was psychological wellbeing, followed by monetary worries.
"Worry regarding these multiple factors is extremely prevalent, and typical," notes a mental health professional.
Finding Solutions
Eventually, Robert, Alisha and Christina all found their feet and built connections.
She formed relationships via her studies and via social media, while the individual experienced improvement after being able to move in with friends.
Useful Suggestions
Regarding his experience, now 24 and in his concluding studies, it was participating in theater activities and getting a part-time job that supported social connection.
His recommendation to new attendees struggling to socialize is to just "get out of your room" and participate in group trial sessions.
"Subsequent to periods of regular attendance, individuals become familiar with you," Robert says, "you recognise theirs, and friendships begin forming."
