🔗 Share this article

A student named Robert passed the majority of his orientation week browsing through online platforms, seeing content about peers enjoying evenings out.

"I was just in bed," Robert remembers, describing the week as the loneliest time of his life.

His housemates seldom socialized, and his studies didn't appear very sociable.

Although he tried by participating in sample activities for various societies, he was unable to locate like-minded individuals.

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

Social Media Comparisons

Originally, Robert didn't plan of attending college and had a job offer for following college.

Yet he saw his friends having great fun as college students online.

"When you've got to get up for work on Thursday at 9:00 and you observe peers partied on midweek, you start feeling others have it better," Robert explains.

University Expectations

Media content and social media can glorify the idea of student life.

Lots of people begin university with strong assumptions for what they think could be the most wonderful time of their lives.

Various learners arrive at college with "optimistic perspectives," says a mental health professional.

Survey Findings

• In a poll of freshers in their first week, the main anxiety was finding their place and being accepted
• Additional research by market research agencies, 17% of students said they lacked friendships at university
• A substantial portion mentioned they experienced concern frequently about building relationships

Personal Experiences

A different attendee's social media content was full of videos of girls having fun while living together in college residences.

Yet when Alisha moved from her previous location to campus to study journalism, she found orientation period "intense" because of the drinking culture it involved.

She abstains from alcohol and had never been clubbing before.

"I did spend considerable time initially within my living space," she says. "I merely sensed a bit alienated."

Psychological Aspects

Through current studies of numerous college learners, 29% said they contemplated leaving university.

The primary factor was emotional state, accompanied by financial concerns.

"Anxiety about all of these different things is very widespread, and expected," explains a mental health professional.

Discovering Answers

Eventually, Robert, Alisha and Christina all found their feet and built connections.

She built connections through her course and through TikTok, while another student became more content after being able to move in with friends.

Helpful Recommendations

For Robert, now 24 and in his final year, it was participating in theater activities and getting a part-time job that assisted in relationship building.

His recommendation to new attendees struggling to socialize is to just "get out of your room" and go to club and society taster events.

"Subsequent to periods of regular attendance, individuals become familiar with you," he mentions, "you become familiar with them, and relationships start developing."