🔗 Share this article

One university attendee passed the majority of his first week at university browsing through digital networks, seeing content about other students' fun nights out.

"I remained in my room," Robert recalls, describing the week as the most isolated period of his life.

His housemates seldom socialized, and his course didn't feel especially friendly.

Although he tried by going to taster sessions for multiple organizations, he was unable to locate people he connected with.

"I started to lose my confidence," he says. "It seemed that individuals didn't desire to be friends with me, or they didn't like me."

Social Media Comparisons

Originally, Robert didn't plan of studying at university and received employment offers for following college.

However he observed his peers living it up as university attendees on social media.

"When you must rise for your job during the week at the morning hour and you see someone's been out on Wednesday night, you do start thinking others have it better," Robert explains.

Higher Education Assumptions

Television programs and social media can idealize the notion of university living.

Lots of people arrive at college with great anticipations for what they believe could be the greatest period of their lives.

Some students come to university with "optimistic perspectives," notes a support services coordinator.

Survey Findings

• Through surveys of freshers in their first week, the primary worry was belonging and being accepted
• Further studies through polling organizations, 17% of students said they were without companions at university
• Over one-third reported they experienced concern frequently about making friends

Personal Journeys

Alisha Miah's TikTok feed was filled with content of students enjoying themselves while living together in student houses.

However when she transferred from her hometown to university to pursue media studies, she found freshers' week "intense" because of the substance involvement it involved.

She avoids drinking and had never been clubbing before.

"I did spend a lot of freshers' week within my living space," she says. "I simply experienced somewhat isolated."

Mental Health Considerations

In a 2025 survey of more than 10,000 undergraduate students, a significant portion mentioned they had considered leaving university.

The primary factor was psychological wellbeing, followed by economic considerations.

"Concern over all of these different things is massively common, and normal," adds a mental health professional.

Identifying Resolutions

With time, all three individuals gradually adjusted and developed friendships.

Alisha made friends via her studies and through TikTok, while Christina felt happier after being able to move in with friends.

Practical Advice

In his case, now 24 and in his concluding studies, it was engaging in performance groups and getting a part-time job that assisted in relationship building.

The suggested approach to new attendees finding social interaction difficult is to venture outside your living space and go to club and society taster events.

"After a few weeks of continuous participation, people recognise your face," he mentions, "you recognise theirs, and friendships begin forming."