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One university attendee passed the majority of his orientation week looking at digital networks, viewing updates about fellow students partying.

"I stayed indoors," Robert recalls, describing the week as the most solitary phase of his life.

The people he lived with didn't go out much, and his course didn't feel especially friendly.

Despite putting himself out there by going to taster sessions for various societies, he didn't discover his people.

"I started to lose my self-esteem," he says. "It seemed that people didn't want to become my friends, or they weren't fond of me."

Social Media Comparisons

At first, Robert had no intention of studying at university and received employment offers for following college.

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

"When you must rise for your job during the week at the morning hour and you observe peers partied on the previous evening, you do start thinking the grass is greener," Robert mentions.

Higher Education Assumptions

Television programs and digital networks can glorify the idea of university living.

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

Some students arrive at college with "idealistic views," says a support services coordinator.

Study Outcomes

• In a poll of new students initially, students' biggest concern was belonging and feeling included
• Further studies by market research agencies, a significant minority said they lacked friendships at university
• Over one-third reported they experienced concern frequently about making friends

Personal Journeys

Alisha Miah's online videos was filled with content of girls having fun while sharing accommodation in student houses.

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

She abstains from alcohol and had never been clubbing before.

"I utilized much of orientation within my living space," she says. "I simply experienced a bit alienated."

Emotional Wellbeing Factors

In a 2025 survey of over ten thousand undergraduate students, 29% said they contemplated withdrawing from studies.

The most common reason was emotional state, succeeded by financial concerns.

"Concern over these various aspects is massively common, and normal," explains a counselling expert.

Identifying Resolutions

With time, all three individuals gradually adjusted and built connections.

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

Practical Advice

In his case, now 24 and in his last year, it was engaging in performance groups and employment during studies that assisted in relationship building.

Robert's advice to new attendees struggling to socialize is to simply leave your accommodation and participate in group trial sessions.

"After a few weeks of regular attendance, individuals become familiar with you," he mentions, "you become familiar with them, and relationships start developing."