Struggling to have an amazing experience at uni? You are not the only one.

A student named Robert spent most of his first week at university looking at online platforms, viewing updates about peers enjoying evenings out.

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

His housemates rarely went out, and his studies didn't appear especially friendly.

Even though he made efforts by attending trial events for multiple organizations, he was unable to locate his people.

"I started to lose my self-esteem," he says. "It seemed that others weren't interested to form friendships with me, or they weren't fond of me."

Social Media Comparisons

Initially, Robert had no intention of going to university and received employment offers for post-secondary education.

However he observed his peers enjoying themselves as college students online.

"When you must rise for your job during the week at the morning hour and you notice others went out on midweek, you do start thinking others have it better," Robert explains.

College Anticipations

Television programs and social media can romanticize the concept of college existence.

Lots of people come to 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," notes a counselling manager.

Survey Findings

• According to research of freshers in their first week, the primary worry was finding their place and finding acceptance
• Additional research conducted by analysts, nearly one-fifth of attendees said they lacked friendships at university
• 37% said they felt anxious regularly about forming friendships

Personal Journeys

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

However when Alisha moved from London to Sheffield to learn reporting, she found orientation period "daunting" because of the substance involvement it involved.

She abstains from alcohol and had not experienced nightlife before.

"I actually passed a lot of freshers' week within my living space," she says. "I merely sensed somewhat isolated."

Psychological Aspects

In a 2025 survey of more than 10,000 undergraduate students, a significant portion mentioned they thought about withdrawing from studies.

The primary factor was psychological wellbeing, followed by economic considerations.

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

Identifying Resolutions

Eventually, all three individuals eventually adapted and formed relationships.

She built connections through her course and via social media, while another student became more content when she could to move in with friends.

Useful Suggestions

For Robert, currently in his mid-twenties and in his last year, it was joining his university's drama society and working occasionally that assisted in relationship building.

His recommendation to beginning learners finding social interaction difficult is to venture outside your living space and participate in group trial sessions.

"Following several weeks of regular attendance, others notice your presence," Robert says, "you notice their presence, and you start making friends."