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A student named Robert passed the majority of his freshers' week browsing through social media, seeing content about peers enjoying evenings out.

"I remained in my room," Robert recalls, describing the week as the most solitary phase of his life.

His housemates rarely went out, and his program didn't seem very sociable.

Although he tried by attending trial events for different clubs, he couldn't find people he connected with.

"I started to lose my confidence," he says. "It seemed that individuals didn't desire to become my friends, or they didn't like me."

Social Media Comparisons

Originally, Robert had no intention of studying at university and received employment offers for post-secondary education.

But then he saw his friends having great fun as university attendees on social media.

"When you need to wake up for work on Thursday at nine in the morning and you see someone's been out on Wednesday night, you begin believing others have it better," Robert says.

University Expectations

Television programs and digital networks can glorify the idea of university living.

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

Certain attendees begin their studies with "rose-tinted glasses," explains a counselling manager.

Survey Findings

• According to research of first-year attendees early on, students' biggest concern was finding their place and feeling included
• In another survey by market research agencies, nearly one-fifth of attendees said they had no friends at university
• 37% said they experienced concern frequently about making friends

Personal Experiences

Another student's TikTok feed was populated with clips of peers socializing while living together in college residences.

But when she relocated from her hometown to university to study journalism, she found freshers' week "daunting" because of the substance involvement it involved.

Alisha doesn't drink and had avoided party scenes before.

"I did spend considerable time initially inside my accommodation," she says. "I merely sensed slightly disconnected."

Emotional Wellbeing Factors

In a 2025 survey of numerous university attendees, 29% said they thought about withdrawing from studies.

The primary factor was their mental and emotional health, followed by economic considerations.

"Worry regarding these various aspects is very widespread, and normal," notes a counselling expert.

Identifying Resolutions

With time, Robert, Alisha and Christina eventually adapted and formed relationships.

She formed relationships through her course and through TikTok, while another student became more content once she was able to share accommodation with peers.

Useful Suggestions

For Robert, now 24 and in his last year, it was joining his university's drama society and working occasionally that supported social connection.

Robert's advice to first-year students finding social interaction difficult is to venture outside your living space and go to club and society taster events.

"After a few weeks of continuous participation, people recognise your face," he mentions, "you recognise theirs, and you start making friends."