Struggling to have the time of your life at university? You're not alone.

One university attendee spent most of his first week at university looking at digital networks, viewing updates about fellow students partying.

"I stayed indoors," Robert explains, describing the week as the most isolated period of his life.

Robert's flatmates didn't go out much, and his studies didn't appear very sociable.

Although he tried by attending trial events for various societies, he was unable to locate people he connected with.

"I gradually lost my self-assurance," he says. "I felt like people didn't want to be friends with me, or they didn't appreciate me."

Social Media Comparisons

Initially, Robert wasn't considering of going to university and had a job offer for after sixth form.

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

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

Higher Education Assumptions

Media content and digital networks can glorify the idea of university living.

Many individuals arrive at college with strong assumptions for what they believe could be the best years of their lives.

Certain attendees begin their studies with "optimistic perspectives," says a support services coordinator.

Research Results

• Through surveys of new students initially, students' biggest concern was fitting in and finding acceptance
• In another survey conducted by analysts, 17% of students said they were without companions at university
• 37% said they felt anxious regularly about making friends

Personal Experiences

Another student's TikTok feed was populated with clips of girls having fun while living together in college residences.

But when she relocated from her previous location to campus to learn reporting, she found freshers' week "daunting" because of the substance involvement it involved.

Alisha doesn't drink and had not experienced nightlife before.

"I actually passed much of orientation in my room," she says. "I simply experienced a bit alienated."

Psychological Aspects

In a 2025 survey of more than 10,000 university attendees, nearly one-third reported they thought about dropping out.

The main cause was emotional state, followed by economic considerations.

"Worry regarding these various aspects is massively common, and normal," adds a support specialist.

Finding Solutions

Eventually, Robert, Alisha and Christina eventually adapted and built connections.

She built connections through her course and using online platforms, while the individual experienced improvement when she could to relocate with companions.

Useful Suggestions

Regarding his experience, now 24 and in his final year, it was participating in theater activities and working occasionally that helped him make friends.

The suggested approach to first-year students experiencing connection challenges is to just "get out of your room" and go to club and society taster events.

"After a few weeks of consistently showing up, people recognise your face," Robert says, "you become familiar with them, and relationships start developing."