Not having an amazing experience at university? You're not alone.

Students sharing experiences
A pair of university attendees talk about their journeys of life at university.

A student named Robert spent most of his first week at university browsing through social media, viewing updates about other students' fun nights out.

"I was just in bed," Robert recalls, depicting those days as the most isolated period of his life.

Robert's flatmates seldom socialized, and his studies didn't appear very sociable.

Even though he made efforts by participating in sample activities for various societies, he didn't discover like-minded individuals.

"I began losing my self-assurance," he says. "It seemed that people didn't want to form friendships with me, or they weren't fond of me."

Social Media Comparisons

Initially, Robert wasn't considering of attending college and had a job offer for after sixth form.

But then he watched his acquaintances 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 see someone's been out on midweek, you begin believing others have it better," Robert explains.

University Expectations

Television programs and online platforms can romanticize the concept of student life.

Numerous students come to university with high expectations for what they believe could be the best years of their lives.

Certain attendees begin their studies with "idealistic views," explains a mental health professional.

Research Results

  • In a poll of new students initially, students' biggest concern was finding their place and finding acceptance
  • Additional research by market research agencies, a significant minority said they were without companions at university
  • 37% said they worried daily or weekly about forming friendships

Personal Journeys

A different attendee's TikTok feed was filled with content of peers socializing while living together in student houses.

But when she relocated from London to Sheffield to pursue media studies, she found freshers' week "overwhelming" because of the substance involvement it involved.

She avoids drinking and had never been clubbing before.

"I actually passed much of orientation within my living space," she says. "I merely sensed somewhat isolated."

Emotional Wellbeing Factors

According to recent research of over ten thousand university attendees, 29% said they thought about dropping out.

The main cause was psychological wellbeing, followed by monetary worries.

"Worry regarding these various aspects is very widespread, and typical," adds a mental health professional.

Identifying Resolutions

With time, all three individuals gradually adjusted and formed relationships.

Alisha made friends during classes and through TikTok, while Christina felt happier when she could to share accommodation with peers.

Helpful Recommendations

For Robert, presently older and in his last year, it was participating in theater activities and employment during studies that assisted in relationship building.

Robert's advice to beginning learners struggling to socialize is to venture outside your living space and go to club and society taster events.

"After a few weeks of consistently showing up, others notice your presence," he explains, "you become familiar with them, and relationships start developing."

Mary Hernandez
Mary Hernandez

Maya is a tech enthusiast and gaming journalist with a passion for exploring emerging digital trends and innovations.