🔗 Share this article

Robert Medhurst spent most of his freshers' week looking at social media, seeing content about other students' fun nights out.

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

The people he lived with seldom socialized, and his course didn't feel very sociable.

Even though he made efforts by participating in sample activities for multiple organizations, he didn't discover like-minded individuals.

"I began losing my self-assurance," he says. "It seemed that others weren't interested to become my friends, or they didn't like me."

Digital Platform Contrasts

Originally, Robert wasn't considering of studying at university and received employment offers for after sixth form.

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

"When you need to wake up for employment on weekdays at nine in the morning and you observe peers partied on Wednesday night, you begin believing others have it better," Robert says.

College Anticipations

Television programs and social media can idealize the notion of college existence.

Many individuals come to university with high expectations for what they believe could be the most wonderful time of their lives.

Some students come to university with "rose-tinted glasses," explains a support services coordinator.

Study Outcomes

• According to research of new students initially, students' biggest concern was finding their place and being accepted
• In another survey through polling organizations, 17% of students said they lacked friendships at university
• A substantial portion mentioned they felt anxious regularly about making friends

Personal Experiences

Another student's TikTok feed was populated with clips of girls having fun while sharing accommodation in university housing.

Yet when Alisha moved from London to Sheffield to learn reporting, she found freshers' week "overwhelming" because of how much alcohol it involved.

She avoids drinking and had avoided party scenes before.

"I utilized much of orientation within my living space," she says. "I simply experienced a bit alienated."

Psychological Aspects

In a 2025 survey of more than 10,000 college learners, nearly one-third reported they had considered leaving university.

The main cause was emotional state, accompanied by financial concerns.

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

Finding Solutions

Eventually, all three individuals eventually adapted and developed friendships.

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

Useful Suggestions

In his case, currently in his mid-twenties and in his concluding studies, it was engaging in performance groups and employment during studies that assisted in relationship building.

Robert's advice to first-year students struggling to socialize is to just "get out of your room" and go to club and society taster events.

"After a few weeks of continuous participation, individuals become familiar with you," Robert says, "you become familiar with them, and you start making friends."