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One university attendee passed the majority of his first week at university browsing through social media, reading posts about other students' fun nights out.

"I was just in bed," Robert explains, describing the week as the loneliest time of his life.

His housemates rarely went out, and his program didn't seem particularly social.

Although he tried by participating in sample activities for multiple organizations, he couldn't find like-minded individuals.

"I started to lose my confidence," he says. "I believed others weren't interested to form friendships with me, or they didn't appreciate me."

Digital Platform Contrasts

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

However he saw his friends living it up as students on Instagram.

"When you've got to get up for employment on weekdays at 9:00 and you notice others went out on the previous evening, you begin believing situations appear superior," Robert mentions.

Higher Education Assumptions

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

Lots of people begin university with strong assumptions for what they believe could be the best years of their lives.

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

Research Results

• In a poll of first-year attendees early on, students' biggest concern was fitting in and feeling included
• Additional research through polling organizations, nearly one-fifth of attendees said they had no friends at university
• Over one-third reported they experienced concern frequently about building relationships

Personal Journeys

A different attendee's social media content was filled with content of students enjoying themselves while living together in student houses.

However when she relocated from her previous location to campus to pursue media studies, she found orientation period "overwhelming" because of how much alcohol it involved.

She avoids drinking and had not experienced nightlife before.

"I did spend considerable time initially inside my accommodation," she says. "I just felt somewhat isolated."

Mental Health Considerations

Through current studies of over ten thousand undergraduate students, nearly one-third reported they had considered leaving university.

The main cause was psychological wellbeing, succeeded by financial concerns.

"Concern over all of these different things is massively common, and normal," notes a mental health professional.

Finding Solutions

Over periods, Robert, Alisha and Christina eventually adapted and formed relationships.

Alisha made friends through her course and through TikTok, while Christina felt happier when she could to share accommodation with peers.

Helpful Recommendations

For Robert, now 24 and in his final year, it was joining his university's drama society and getting a part-time job that assisted in relationship building.

Robert's advice to new attendees struggling to socialize is to venture outside your living space and participate in group trial sessions.

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