Struggling to have a fantastic time at uni? You're not alone.
Robert Medhurst used up much of his first week at university browsing through social media, viewing updates about fellow students partying.
"I remained in my room," Robert recalls, describing the week as the most solitary phase of his life.
His housemates seldom socialized, and his program didn't seem especially friendly.
Although he tried by participating in sample activities for different clubs, he was unable to locate like-minded individuals.
"I gradually lost my self-esteem," he says. "I believed individuals didn't desire to be friends with me, or they didn't like me."
Online Network Judgments
At first, Robert didn't plan of going to university and had a job offer for after sixth form.
But then he observed his peers having great fun as university attendees on social media.
"When you need to wake up for employment on weekdays at the morning hour and you observe peers partied on Wednesday night, you start feeling others have it better," Robert mentions.
College Anticipations
Television programs and online platforms can glorify the idea of university living.
Lots of people come to university with strong assumptions for what they believe could be the most wonderful time of their lives.
Certain attendees come to university with "rose-tinted glasses," notes a counselling manager.
Study Outcomes
- In a poll of freshers in their first week, students' biggest concern was belonging and being accepted
- In another survey conducted by analysts, nearly one-fifth of attendees said they were without companions at university
- 37% said they felt anxious regularly about forming friendships
Individual Stories
A different attendee's social media content was full of videos of students enjoying themselves while living together in student houses.
However when she transferred from her hometown to university to study journalism, she found initial days "daunting" because of the drinking culture it involved.
Alisha doesn't drink and had not experienced nightlife before.
"I actually passed considerable time initially within my living space," she says. "I merely sensed somewhat isolated."
Emotional Wellbeing Factors
In a 2025 survey of over ten thousand university attendees, 29% said they contemplated leaving university.
The main cause was emotional state, accompanied by economic considerations.
"Anxiety about all of these different things is massively common, and normal," adds a support specialist.
Finding Solutions
With time, all three individuals gradually adjusted and developed friendships.
She built connections via her studies and using online platforms, while Christina felt happier when she could to relocate with companions.
Practical Advice
For Robert, presently older and in his final year, it was engaging in performance groups and getting a part-time job that helped him make friends.
The suggested approach to beginning learners experiencing connection challenges is to simply leave your accommodation and participate in group trial sessions.
"After a few weeks of consistently showing up, people recognise your face," he mentions, "you become familiar with them, and relationships start developing."
