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A student named Robert used up much of his first week at university browsing through digital networks, seeing content about other students' fun nights out.

"I was just in bed," Robert explains, depicting those days as the most solitary phase of his life.

His housemates seldom socialized, and his studies didn't appear particularly social.

Although he tried by participating in sample activities for multiple organizations, he couldn't find his people.

"I began losing my self-assurance," he says. "I believed others weren't interested to be friends with me, or they didn't like me."

Social Media Comparisons

Originally, Robert had no intention of studying at university and was offered positions for after sixth form.

However he saw his friends living it up as university attendees on social media.

"When you need to wake up for your job during the week at the morning hour and you observe peers partied on Wednesday night, you start feeling others have it better," Robert says.

College Anticipations

TV shows and digital networks can idealize the notion of student life.

Lots of people arrive at college 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 mental health professional.

Survey Findings

• Through surveys 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
• A substantial portion mentioned they worried daily or weekly about forming friendships

Personal Experiences

Another student's social media content was full of videos of girls having fun while sharing accommodation in college residences.

Yet when she transferred from London to Sheffield to study journalism, she found orientation period "intense" because of the drinking culture it involved.

Alisha doesn't drink and had avoided party scenes before.

"I utilized much of orientation within my living space," she says. "I just felt a bit alienated."

Emotional Wellbeing Factors

In a 2025 survey of more than 10,000 undergraduate students, 29% said they had considered dropping out.

The main cause was emotional state, succeeded by financial concerns.

"Concern over these various aspects is massively common, and expected," adds a mental health professional.

Finding Solutions

Over periods, all three individuals gradually adjusted and formed relationships.

She built connections during classes and via social media, while another student became more content after being able to share accommodation with peers.

Helpful Recommendations

In his case, now 24 and in his final year, it was engaging in performance groups and getting a part-time job that assisted in relationship building.

The suggested approach to new attendees struggling to socialize is to simply leave your accommodation and attend organization sample activities.

"After a few weeks of continuous participation, individuals become familiar with you," Robert says, "you recognise theirs, and you start making friends."