Struggling to have the time of your life at uni? You're not alone.
A student named Robert spent most of his orientation week looking at social media, viewing updates about fellow students partying.
"I stayed indoors," Robert recalls, describing the week as the most isolated period of his life.
Robert's flatmates didn't go out much, and his course didn't feel especially friendly.
Despite putting himself out there by going to taster sessions for multiple organizations, he couldn't find like-minded individuals.
"I gradually lost my confidence," he says. "I felt like people didn't want to become my friends, or they weren't fond of me."
Digital Platform Contrasts
Initially, Robert didn't plan of going to university and had a job offer for post-secondary education.
However he saw his friends having great fun as university attendees on social media.
"When you've got to get up for employment on weekdays at nine in the morning and you notice others went out on Wednesday night, you begin believing others have it better," Robert says.
College Anticipations
TV shows and social media can glorify the idea of university living.
Numerous students come to university with strong assumptions for what they imagine could be the best years of their lives.
Some students arrive at college with "rose-tinted glasses," notes a mental health professional.
Survey Findings
- According to research of new students initially, the primary worry was finding their place and feeling included
- In another survey through polling organizations, a significant minority said they lacked friendships at university
- A substantial portion mentioned they worried daily or weekly about making friends
Personal Journeys
A different attendee's TikTok feed was full of videos of peers socializing while sharing accommodation in university housing.
But when Alisha moved from her previous location to campus to study journalism, she found initial days "daunting" because of the substance involvement it involved.
Alisha doesn't drink and had not experienced nightlife before.
"I did spend much of orientation within my living space," she says. "I simply experienced a bit alienated."
Mental Health Considerations
Through current studies of more than 10,000 university attendees, nearly one-third reported they thought about withdrawing from studies.
The main cause was emotional state, accompanied by economic considerations.
"Anxiety about all of these different things is very widespread, and normal," notes a mental health professional.
Finding Solutions
With time, Robert, Alisha and Christina all found their feet and developed friendships.
She formed relationships during classes and through TikTok, while the individual experienced improvement after being able to share accommodation with peers.
Useful Suggestions
In his case, presently older and in his final year, it was joining his university's drama society and getting a part-time job that supported social connection.
His recommendation to first-year students finding social interaction difficult is to just "get out of your room" and participate in group trial sessions.
"Following several weeks of consistently showing up, others notice your presence," he mentions, "you recognise theirs, and relationships start developing."