🔗 Share this article Struggling to have the time of your life at college? You're not alone. Robert and Christina talk about their journeys of college living. One university attendee spent most of his orientation week scrolling through digital networks, viewing updates about other students' fun nights out. "I remained in my room," Robert recalls, characterizing that period as the loneliest time of his life. His housemates seldom socialized, and his course didn't feel very sociable. Although he tried by attending trial events for various societies, he couldn't find people he connected with. "I started to lose my self-assurance," he says. "I believed individuals didn't desire to become my friends, or they weren't fond of me." Digital Platform Contrasts At first, Robert wasn't considering of going to university and was offered positions for after sixth form. Yet he watched his acquaintances enjoying themselves as college students online. "When you must rise for work on Thursday at 9:00 and you see someone's been out on midweek, you begin believing situations appear superior," Robert explains. College Anticipations TV shows and digital networks can glorify the idea of college existence. Lots of people begin university with great anticipations for what they think could be the greatest period of their lives. Various learners arrive at college with "idealistic views," says a mental health professional. Research Results In a poll of freshers in their first week, the main anxiety was belonging and being accepted Additional research through polling organizations, 17% of students said they were without companions at university Over one-third reported they worried daily or weekly about making friends Personal Experiences Alisha Miah's TikTok feed was full of videos of peers socializing while sharing accommodation in university housing. Yet when she relocated from her hometown to university to pursue media studies, she found freshers' week "overwhelming" because of the substance involvement it involved. She abstains from alcohol and had never been clubbing before. "I did spend considerable time initially in my room," she says. "I simply experienced a bit alienated." Mental Health Considerations In a 2025 survey of over ten thousand college learners, 29% said they had considered withdrawing from studies. The most common reason was psychological wellbeing, succeeded by monetary worries. "Worry regarding these various aspects is very widespread, and normal," adds a mental health professional. Discovering Answers With time, the students eventually adapted and formed relationships. Alisha made friends during classes and via social media, while Christina felt happier once she was able to move in with friends. Helpful Recommendations For Robert, now 24 and in his concluding studies, it was joining his university's drama society and getting a part-time job that supported social connection. His recommendation to first-year students experiencing connection challenges is to venture outside your living space and go to club and society taster events. "After a few weeks of consistently showing up, individuals become familiar with you," he mentions, "you notice their presence, and relationships start developing."