Failing to find a fantastic time at university? You're not alone.

One university attendee passed the majority of his orientation week looking at social media, viewing updates about peers enjoying evenings out.

"I stayed indoors," Robert remembers, characterizing that period as the loneliest time of his life.

His housemates rarely went out, and his course didn't feel particularly social.

Although he tried by going to taster sessions for different clubs, he was unable to locate his people.

"I began losing my self-esteem," he says. "I felt like people didn't want to form friendships with me, or they didn't like me."

Online Network Judgments

At first, Robert had no intention of going to university and had a job offer for after sixth form.

Yet he watched his acquaintances enjoying themselves as college students online.

"When you must rise for work on Thursday at the morning hour and you see someone's been out on the previous evening, you begin believing situations appear superior," Robert mentions.

College Anticipations

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

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

Some students come to university with "rose-tinted glasses," notes a mental health professional.

Survey Findings

• According to research of first-year attendees early on, students' biggest concern was belonging and being accepted
• Further studies through polling organizations, nearly one-fifth of attendees said they had no friends at university
• 37% said they felt anxious regularly about building relationships

Individual Stories

Another student's online videos was full of videos of girls having fun while sharing accommodation in university housing.

However when Alisha moved from her hometown to university to study journalism, she found freshers' week "intense" because of the drinking culture it involved.

Alisha doesn't drink and had never been clubbing before.

"I did spend much of orientation in my room," she says. "I merely sensed slightly disconnected."

Mental Health Considerations

In a 2025 survey of numerous college learners, a significant portion mentioned they had considered dropping out.

The main cause was emotional state, succeeded by financial concerns.

"Concern over all of these different things is massively common, and expected," explains a support specialist.

Discovering Answers

Eventually, all three individuals all found their feet and built connections.

Alisha made friends via her studies and through TikTok, while another student became more content once she was able to relocate with companions.

Useful Suggestions

For Robert, now 24 and in his last year, it was engaging in performance groups and getting a part-time job that supported social connection.

Robert's advice to first-year students experiencing connection challenges is to simply leave your accommodation and go to club and society taster events.

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