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A student named Robert passed the majority of his orientation week browsing through social media, reading posts about fellow students partying.

"I remained in my room," Robert explains, characterizing that period as the loneliest time of his life.

The people he lived with seldom socialized, and his studies didn't appear very sociable.

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

"I started to lose my confidence," he says. "It seemed that individuals didn't desire to form friendships with me, or they didn't like me."

Social Media Comparisons

Originally, Robert had no intention of going to university and had a job offer for post-secondary education.

However he watched his acquaintances living it up as students on Instagram.

"When you've got to get up for your job during the week at 9:00 and you notice others went out on the previous evening, you begin believing the grass is greener," Robert says.

College Anticipations

TV shows and online platforms can glorify the idea of university living.

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," says a counselling manager.

Survey Findings

• Through surveys of freshers in their first week, students' biggest concern was finding their place and feeling included
• In another survey conducted by analysts, 17% of students said they lacked friendships at university
• A substantial portion mentioned they worried daily or weekly about forming friendships

Individual Stories

Another student's TikTok feed was filled with content of students enjoying themselves while sharing accommodation in college residences.

But when Alisha moved from London to Sheffield to study journalism, she found freshers' week "overwhelming" because of how much alcohol it involved.

She abstains from alcohol and had avoided party scenes before.

"I utilized a lot of freshers' week in my room," she says. "I just felt slightly disconnected."

Emotional Wellbeing Factors

According to recent research of over ten thousand undergraduate students, 29% said they had considered dropping out.

The primary factor was their mental and emotional health, succeeded by monetary worries.

"Concern over these various aspects is very widespread, and typical," adds a mental health professional.

Identifying Resolutions

Over periods, Robert, Alisha and Christina gradually adjusted and developed friendships.

Alisha made friends via her studies and via social media, while another student became more content when she could to move in with friends.

Useful Suggestions

Regarding his experience, now 24 and in his concluding studies, it was engaging in performance groups and getting a part-time job that assisted in relationship building.

Robert's advice to first-year students struggling to socialize is to just "get out of your room" and go to club and society taster events.

"After a few weeks of regular attendance, others notice your presence," Robert says, "you recognise theirs, and friendships begin forming."