Not having the time of your life at university? You are not the only one.
Robert Medhurst passed the majority of his first week at university scrolling through social media, viewing updates about other students' fun nights out.
"I remained in my room," Robert recalls, describing the week as the loneliest time of his life.
Robert's flatmates seldom socialized, and his course didn't feel very sociable.
Even though he made efforts by attending trial events for various societies, he couldn't find his people.
"I gradually lost my self-assurance," he says. "I believed individuals didn't desire to become my friends, or they didn't like me."
Digital Platform Contrasts
Initially, Robert had no intention of studying at university and received employment offers for following college.
However he saw his friends living it up as college students online.
"When you need to wake up for work on Thursday at the morning hour and you see someone's been out on midweek, you start feeling the grass is greener," Robert explains.
College Anticipations
Television programs and online platforms can glorify the idea of university living.
Numerous students begin university with strong assumptions for what they think could be the greatest period of their lives.
Certain attendees arrive at college with "idealistic views," says a counselling manager.
Research Results
- According to research of new students initially, students' biggest concern was belonging and finding acceptance
- Further studies 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 Experiences
A different attendee's TikTok feed was populated with clips of girls having fun while sharing accommodation in university housing.
Yet when Alisha moved from her hometown to university to study journalism, she found freshers' week "overwhelming" because of the substance involvement it involved.
She avoids drinking and had never been clubbing before.
"I actually passed a lot of freshers' week inside my accommodation," she says. "I just felt slightly disconnected."
Mental Health Considerations
In a 2025 survey of more than 10,000 university attendees, nearly one-third reported they contemplated withdrawing from studies.
The most common reason was emotional state, succeeded by monetary worries.
"Worry regarding these various aspects is extremely prevalent, and normal," notes a mental health professional.
Finding Solutions
Over periods, the students eventually adapted and built connections.
Alisha made friends via her studies and using online platforms, while another student became more content when she could to relocate with companions.
Useful Suggestions
Regarding his experience, now 24 and in his concluding studies, it was engaging in performance groups and working occasionally that helped him make friends.
Robert's advice to new attendees finding social interaction difficult is to venture outside your living space and attend organization sample activities.
"After a few weeks of continuous participation, others notice your presence," he mentions, "you become familiar with them, and friendships begin forming."
