Not having a fantastic time at college? You're not alone.

One university attendee spent most of his first week at university scrolling through digital networks, reading posts about peers enjoying evenings out.

"I remained in my room," Robert explains, describing the week as the loneliest time of his life.

His housemates didn't go out much, and his studies didn't appear particularly social.

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

"I gradually lost my self-assurance," 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 wasn't considering of studying at university and had a job offer for after sixth form.

But then he saw his friends enjoying themselves as college students online.

"When you must rise for employment on weekdays at 9:00 and you observe peers partied on the previous evening, you do start thinking others have it better," Robert says.

Higher Education Assumptions

Media content and social media can glorify the idea of college existence.

Lots of people begin university with high expectations for what they imagine could be the greatest period of their lives.

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

Survey Findings

• According to research of first-year attendees early on, the primary worry was fitting in and feeling included
• Further studies conducted by analysts, nearly one-fifth of attendees said they lacked friendships at university
• 37% said they felt anxious regularly about building relationships

Personal Journeys

A different attendee's online videos was populated with clips of girls having fun while sharing accommodation in university housing.

But when she relocated from her previous location to campus to learn reporting, she found orientation period "overwhelming" because of the drinking culture it involved.

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

"I did spend considerable time initially in my room," she says. "I merely sensed somewhat isolated."

Emotional Wellbeing Factors

In a 2025 survey of over ten thousand university attendees, a significant portion mentioned they thought about withdrawing from studies.

The most common reason was their mental and emotional health, succeeded by financial concerns.

"Concern over these various aspects is very widespread, and typical," adds a counselling expert.

Discovering Answers

With time, Robert, Alisha and Christina eventually adapted and built connections.

She built connections through her course and through TikTok, while the individual experienced improvement when she could to move in with friends.

Practical Advice

Regarding his experience, currently in his mid-twenties and in his final year, it was joining his university's drama society and employment during studies that helped him make friends.

The suggested approach to beginning learners finding social interaction difficult is to just "get out of your room" and participate in group trial sessions.

"Subsequent to periods of continuous participation, individuals become familiar with you," Robert says, "you become familiar with them, and relationships start developing."