Not having a fantastic time at uni? You're not alone.

Robert Medhurst passed the majority of his freshers' week looking at online platforms, reading posts about fellow students partying.

"I stayed indoors," Robert remembers, describing the week as the loneliest time of his life.

The people he lived with seldom socialized, and his program didn't seem especially friendly.

Although he tried by going to taster sessions for different clubs, he didn't discover people he connected with.

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

Digital Platform Contrasts

At first, Robert had no intention of going to university and was offered positions for after sixth form.

But then he watched his acquaintances enjoying themselves as university attendees on social media.

"When you need to wake up for your job during the week at 9:00 and you see someone's been out on midweek, you begin believing others have it better," Robert explains.

University Expectations

Media content and social media can romanticize the concept of college existence.

Lots of people begin university with strong assumptions for what they think could be the most wonderful time of their lives.

Some students arrive at college with "optimistic perspectives," says a support services coordinator.

Study Outcomes

• In a poll of freshers in their first week, the primary worry was belonging and being accepted
• Additional research through polling organizations, 17% of students said they were without companions at university
• 37% said they felt anxious regularly about building relationships

Individual Stories

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

However when she transferred from her hometown to university to learn reporting, she found initial days "daunting" because of the substance involvement it involved.

Alisha doesn't drink and had never been clubbing before.

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

Emotional Wellbeing Factors

According to recent research of numerous university attendees, nearly one-third reported they thought about withdrawing from studies.

The primary factor was their mental and emotional health, followed by monetary worries.

"Worry regarding these various aspects is extremely prevalent, and expected," explains a mental health professional.

Discovering Answers

With time, Robert, Alisha and Christina eventually adapted and developed friendships.

Alisha made friends via her studies and via social media, while Christina felt happier after being able to move in with friends.

Useful Suggestions

Regarding his experience, now 24 and in his concluding studies, it was engaging in performance groups and getting a part-time job that supported social connection.

The suggested approach to first-year students struggling to socialize is to venture outside your living space and go to club and society taster events.

"Subsequent to periods of regular attendance, others notice your presence," he explains, "you recognise theirs, and relationships start developing."