Struggling to have the time of your life at university? Many share your feelings.

Robert Medhurst spent most of his orientation week looking at social media, viewing updates about other students' fun nights out.

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

His housemates rarely went out, and his course didn't feel very sociable.

Despite putting himself out there by going to taster sessions for different clubs, he didn't discover his people.

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

Digital Platform Contrasts

At first, Robert wasn't considering of going to university and had a job offer for post-secondary education.

Yet he watched his acquaintances having great fun as university attendees on social media.

"When you've got to get up for work on Thursday at the morning hour and you see someone's been out on the previous evening, you do start thinking the grass is greener," Robert explains.

University Expectations

TV shows and digital networks can romanticize the concept of university living.

Many individuals come to university with strong assumptions for what they think could be the best years of their lives.

Certain attendees begin their studies with "idealistic views," explains a support services coordinator.

Survey Findings

• According to research of first-year attendees early on, the main anxiety was fitting in and finding acceptance
• Additional research conducted by analysts, nearly one-fifth of attendees said they lacked friendships at university
• Over one-third reported they felt anxious regularly about forming friendships

Personal Experiences

Alisha Miah's social media content was filled with content of peers socializing while living together in university housing.

Yet when Alisha moved from her previous location to campus to pursue media studies, she found initial days "intense" because of the drinking culture it involved.

She abstains from alcohol and had avoided party scenes before.

"I did spend considerable time initially within my living space," she says. "I just felt slightly disconnected."

Mental Health Considerations

In a 2025 survey of over ten thousand undergraduate students, a significant portion mentioned they contemplated dropping out.

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

"Worry regarding these multiple factors is very widespread, and typical," explains a mental health professional.

Finding Solutions

With time, Robert, Alisha and Christina gradually adjusted and developed friendships.

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

Useful Suggestions

For Robert, currently in his mid-twenties and in his final year, it was joining his university's drama society and getting a part-time job that assisted in relationship building.

His recommendation to new attendees finding social interaction difficult is to venture outside your living space and go to club and society taster events.

"Following several weeks of consistently showing up, others notice your presence," he mentions, "you recognise theirs, and you start making friends."