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A student named Robert spent most of his first week at university looking at social media, viewing updates about other students' fun nights out.

"I remained in my room," Robert explains, describing the week as the loneliest time of his life.

Robert's flatmates rarely went out, and his program didn't seem particularly social.

Although he tried by attending trial events for multiple organizations, he couldn't find people he connected with.

"I gradually lost my confidence," he says. "I believed others weren't interested to form friendships with me, or they didn't appreciate me."

Social Media Comparisons

Originally, Robert had no intention of attending college and was offered positions for post-secondary education.

Yet he saw his friends living it up as students on Instagram.

"When you need to wake up for work on Thursday at 9:00 and you observe peers partied on Wednesday night, you begin believing others have it better," Robert says.

Higher Education Assumptions

Television programs and online platforms can romanticize the concept of university living.

Many individuals come to university with high expectations for what they imagine could be the most wonderful time of their lives.

Some students begin their studies with "idealistic views," explains a counselling manager.

Survey Findings

• According to research of first-year attendees early on, the primary worry was belonging and being accepted
• Further studies through polling organizations, a significant minority said they were without companions at university
• 37% said they worried daily or weekly about making friends

Individual Stories

A different attendee's online videos was full of videos of students enjoying themselves while living together in student houses.

But when she relocated from London to Sheffield to study journalism, she found initial days "intense" because of how much alcohol it involved.

She avoids drinking and had not experienced nightlife before.

"I did spend much of orientation inside my accommodation," she says. "I just felt slightly disconnected."

Psychological Aspects

In a 2025 survey of more than 10,000 college learners, a significant portion mentioned they thought about withdrawing from studies.

The primary factor was their mental and emotional health, followed by economic considerations.

"Concern over these multiple factors is massively common, and typical," notes a mental health professional.

Identifying Resolutions

Over periods, the students eventually adapted and built connections.

Alisha made friends through her course and using online platforms, while another student became more content once she was able to share accommodation with peers.

Useful Suggestions

In his case, currently in his mid-twenties and in his concluding studies, it was engaging in performance groups and employment during studies that helped him make friends.

His recommendation to new attendees experiencing connection challenges is to venture outside your living space and go to club and society taster events.

"After a few weeks of consistently showing up, individuals become familiar with you," Robert says, "you recognise theirs, and you start making friends."