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A student named Robert used up much of his freshers' week browsing through online platforms, viewing updates about peers enjoying evenings out.

"I stayed indoors," Robert recalls, characterizing that period as the most solitary phase of his life.

The people he lived with didn't go out much, and his program didn't seem very sociable.

Despite putting himself out there by participating in sample activities for different clubs, he was unable to locate his people.

"I gradually lost my confidence," he says. "I believed individuals didn't desire to become my friends, or they weren't fond of me."

Digital Platform Contrasts

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

But then he observed his peers enjoying themselves as university attendees on social media.

"When you've got to get up for your job during the week at the morning hour and you observe peers partied on Wednesday night, you do start thinking situations appear superior," Robert explains.

Higher Education Assumptions

Media content and online platforms can romanticize the concept of college existence.

Many individuals come to university with strong assumptions for what they think could be the most wonderful time of their lives.

Some students come to university with "optimistic perspectives," explains a mental health professional.

Survey Findings

• Through surveys of first-year attendees early on, the primary worry was belonging and feeling included
• Additional research conducted by analysts, 17% of students said they had no friends at university
• A substantial portion mentioned they experienced concern frequently about forming friendships

Individual Stories

A different attendee's TikTok feed was full of videos of students enjoying themselves while living together in college residences.

But when she relocated from London to Sheffield to study journalism, she found orientation period "intense" because of the drinking culture it involved.

Alisha doesn't drink and had not experienced nightlife before.

"I actually passed much of orientation within my living space," she says. "I just felt a bit alienated."

Emotional Wellbeing Factors

In a 2025 survey of numerous university attendees, a significant portion mentioned they contemplated leaving university.

The primary factor was their mental and emotional health, succeeded by financial concerns.

"Worry regarding all of these different things is extremely prevalent, and expected," explains a counselling expert.

Discovering Answers

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

Alisha made friends via her studies and via social media, while another student became more content after being able to share accommodation with peers.

Helpful Recommendations

In his case, presently older and in his last year, it was engaging in performance groups and getting a part-time job that supported social connection.

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

"Following several weeks of continuous participation, people recognise your face," he mentions, "you recognise theirs, and friendships begin forming."