Not having the time of your life at university? Many share your feelings.

Robert Medhurst spent most of his orientation week scrolling through social media, reading posts about other students' fun nights out.

"I stayed indoors," Robert explains, describing the week as the loneliest time of his life.

Robert's flatmates didn't go out much, and his course didn't feel particularly social.

Despite putting himself out there by attending trial events for different clubs, he didn't discover people he connected with.

"I gradually lost my self-assurance," he says. "I believed individuals didn't desire to become my friends, or they didn't like me."

Online Network Judgments

Initially, Robert had no intention of attending college and was offered positions for post-secondary education.

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

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

University Expectations

TV shows and social media can romanticize the concept of college existence.

Lots of people begin university with high expectations for what they imagine could be the best years of their lives.

Various learners come to university with "idealistic views," says a support services coordinator.

Study Outcomes

• Through surveys of new students initially, the main anxiety was finding their place and finding acceptance
• In another survey through polling organizations, 17% of students said they were without companions at university
• A substantial portion mentioned they worried daily or weekly about forming friendships

Individual Stories

Another student's online videos was full of videos of peers socializing while living together in student houses.

However when Alisha moved from her previous location to campus to study journalism, she found orientation period "daunting" because of the substance involvement it involved.

She abstains from alcohol and had avoided party scenes before.

"I did spend a lot of freshers' week within my living space," she says. "I just felt somewhat isolated."

Mental Health Considerations

Through current studies of numerous college learners, nearly one-third reported they had considered leaving university.

The most common reason was psychological wellbeing, succeeded by financial concerns.

"Anxiety about these various aspects is massively common, and expected," explains a support specialist.

Identifying Resolutions

Over periods, the students gradually adjusted and built connections.

Alisha made friends during classes and via social media, while Christina felt happier after being able to move in with friends.

Practical Advice

In his case, presently older and in his concluding studies, it was joining his university's drama society and getting a part-time job that helped him make friends.

The suggested approach to beginning learners finding social interaction difficult is to venture outside your living space and go to club and society taster events.

"Subsequent to periods of regular attendance, others notice your presence," he explains, "you become familiar with them, and friendships begin forming."