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Robert Medhurst passed the majority of his freshers' week scrolling through online platforms, 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 rarely went out, and his program didn't seem especially friendly.

Even though he made efforts by attending trial events for multiple organizations, he was unable to locate like-minded individuals.

"I gradually lost my confidence," he says. "I felt like individuals didn't desire to be friends with me, or they weren't fond of me."

Social Media Comparisons

Initially, Robert wasn't considering of attending college and received employment offers for following college.

Yet he observed his peers having great fun as college students online.

"When you must rise for work on Thursday at 9:00 and you observe peers partied on the previous evening, you do start thinking others have it better," Robert says.

Higher Education Assumptions

TV shows and online platforms can glorify the idea of student life.

Numerous students arrive at college with strong assumptions for what they think could be the greatest period of their lives.

Some students arrive at college with "rose-tinted glasses," explains a support services coordinator.

Survey Findings

• In a poll of first-year attendees early on, the main anxiety was fitting in and being accepted
• In another survey conducted by analysts, nearly one-fifth of attendees said they had no friends at university
• A substantial portion mentioned they felt anxious regularly about making friends

Individual Stories

Another student's online videos was filled with content of students enjoying themselves while cohabitating in university housing.

However when Alisha moved from her hometown to university to learn reporting, she found orientation period "daunting" because of the drinking culture it involved.

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

"I did spend much of orientation in my room," she says. "I just felt a bit alienated."

Mental Health Considerations

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

The most common reason was their mental and emotional health, accompanied by financial concerns.

"Worry regarding all of these different things is massively common, and expected," explains a support specialist.

Identifying Resolutions

With time, Robert, Alisha and Christina all found their feet and formed relationships.

She formed relationships via her studies and using online platforms, while the individual experienced improvement after being able to relocate with companions.

Useful Suggestions

For Robert, currently in his mid-twenties and in his concluding studies, it was engaging in performance groups and employment during studies that helped him make friends.

The suggested approach to beginning learners finding social interaction difficult is to simply leave your accommodation and go to club and society taster events.

"Subsequent to periods of continuous participation, people recognise your face," he explains, "you recognise theirs, and friendships begin forming."