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A student named Robert spent most of his first week at university looking at online platforms, reading posts about other students' fun nights out.

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

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

Even though he made efforts by participating in sample activities for multiple organizations, he didn't discover his people.

"I started to lose my self-assurance," he says. "I felt like people didn't want to be friends with me, or they didn't like me."

Digital Platform Contrasts

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

Yet he watched his acquaintances having great fun as university attendees on social media.

"When you've got to get up for work on Thursday at nine in the morning and you observe peers partied on Wednesday night, you start feeling situations appear superior," Robert mentions.

Higher Education Assumptions

Media content and online platforms can idealize the notion of student life.

Many individuals arrive at college with strong assumptions for what they imagine could be the greatest period of their lives.

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

Research Results

• Through surveys of new students initially, the main anxiety was finding their place and being accepted
• Further studies through polling organizations, 17% of students said they lacked friendships at university
• Over one-third reported they experienced concern frequently about building relationships

Personal Journeys

Alisha Miah's TikTok feed was full of videos of peers socializing while sharing accommodation in college residences.

But when Alisha moved from her hometown to university to learn reporting, she found orientation period "daunting" because of the substance involvement it involved.

She avoids drinking and had not experienced nightlife before.

"I did spend considerable time initially inside my accommodation," she says. "I simply experienced somewhat isolated."

Mental Health Considerations

In a 2025 survey of more than 10,000 undergraduate students, 29% said they had considered withdrawing from studies.

The most common reason was psychological wellbeing, accompanied by financial concerns.

"Anxiety about these various aspects is massively common, and typical," explains a support specialist.

Finding Solutions

Over periods, the students gradually adjusted and developed friendships.

She built connections during classes and via social media, while another student became more content when she could to relocate with companions.

Practical Advice

For Robert, presently older and in his last year, it was joining his university's drama society and working occasionally that helped him make friends.

Robert's advice to new attendees experiencing connection challenges is to simply leave your accommodation and attend organization sample activities.

"Following several weeks of continuous participation, people recognise your face," he mentions, "you become familiar with them, and you start making friends."