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One university attendee spent most of his freshers' week browsing through digital networks, viewing updates about peers enjoying evenings out.

"I stayed indoors," Robert explains, characterizing that period as the most solitary phase of his life.

The people he lived with didn't go out much, and his program didn't seem particularly social.

Despite putting himself out there by participating in sample activities for different clubs, he couldn't find people he connected with.

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

Online Network Judgments

At first, Robert had no intention of studying at university and had a job offer for after sixth form.

Yet he observed his peers enjoying themselves as students on Instagram.

"When you must rise for employment on weekdays at the morning hour and you observe peers partied on Wednesday night, you start feeling situations appear superior," Robert says.

Higher Education Assumptions

Media content and digital networks can glorify the idea of student life.

Numerous students arrive at college with high expectations for what they think could be the best years of their lives.

Various learners come to university with "rose-tinted glasses," notes a counselling manager.

Study Outcomes

• Through surveys of first-year attendees early on, the main anxiety was belonging and feeling included
• In another survey through polling organizations, 17% of students said they had no friends at university
• A substantial portion mentioned they worried daily or weekly about making friends

Individual Stories

Alisha Miah's TikTok feed was populated with clips of peers socializing while cohabitating in college residences.

However when she relocated from her previous location to campus to pursue media studies, she found freshers' week "intense" because of the drinking culture it involved.

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

"I actually passed a lot of freshers' week in my room," she says. "I simply experienced slightly disconnected."

Mental Health Considerations

According to recent research of more than 10,000 undergraduate students, 29% said they thought about withdrawing from studies.

The main cause was their mental and emotional health, accompanied by financial concerns.

"Anxiety about these multiple factors is extremely prevalent, and expected," explains a mental health professional.

Finding Solutions

With time, Robert, Alisha and Christina all found their feet and built connections.

She built connections during classes and using online platforms, while Christina felt happier once she was able to move in with friends.

Helpful Recommendations

For Robert, currently in his mid-twenties and in his final year, it was joining his university's drama society and employment during studies that helped him make friends.

Robert's advice to beginning learners struggling to socialize is to simply leave your accommodation and go to club and society taster events.

"Following several weeks of continuous participation, others notice your presence," he mentions, "you notice their presence, and friendships begin forming."