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One university attendee spent most of his orientation week scrolling through online platforms, viewing updates about peers enjoying evenings out.

"I remained in my room," Robert explains, depicting those days as the most solitary phase of his life.

Robert's flatmates rarely went out, and his program didn't seem especially friendly.

Despite putting himself out there by going to taster sessions for multiple organizations, he didn't discover like-minded individuals.

"I started to lose my confidence," he says. "I felt like people didn't want to become my friends, or they didn't appreciate me."

Social Media Comparisons

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

But then he saw his friends enjoying themselves as university attendees on social media.

"When you've got to get up for work on Thursday at 9:00 and you see someone's been out on Wednesday night, you begin believing the grass is greener," Robert explains.

University Expectations

TV shows and social media can idealize the notion of university living.

Many individuals come to university with great anticipations for what they imagine could be the greatest period of their lives.

Various learners arrive at college with "idealistic views," notes a mental health professional.

Research Results

• According to research of freshers in their first week, students' biggest concern was belonging and being accepted
• In another survey conducted by analysts, 17% of students said they were without companions at university
• 37% said they experienced concern frequently about forming friendships

Individual Stories

A different attendee's TikTok feed was filled with content of girls having fun while sharing accommodation in college residences.

However when Alisha moved from her hometown to university to study journalism, she found freshers' week "overwhelming" because of how much alcohol it involved.

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

"I utilized a lot of freshers' week within my living space," she says. "I simply experienced slightly disconnected."

Emotional Wellbeing Factors

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

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

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

Identifying Resolutions

Eventually, the students eventually adapted and formed relationships.

Alisha made friends via her studies and through TikTok, while Christina felt happier once she was able to move in with friends.

Practical Advice

For Robert, presently older and in his last year, it was participating in theater activities and getting a part-time job that supported social connection.

The suggested approach to new attendees struggling to socialize is to venture outside your living space and participate in group trial sessions.

"After a few weeks of continuous participation, individuals become familiar with you," he explains, "you recognise theirs, and friendships begin forming."