Struggling to have an amazing experience at university? You're not alone.
A student named Robert spent most of his orientation week browsing through online platforms, seeing content about fellow students partying.
"I stayed indoors," Robert remembers, characterizing that period as the loneliest time of his life.
His housemates didn't go out much, and his course didn't feel especially friendly.
Although he tried by attending trial events for multiple organizations, he didn't discover his people.
"I began losing my self-assurance," he says. "I felt like people didn't want to form friendships with me, or they didn't appreciate me."
Digital Platform Contrasts
At first, Robert didn't plan of attending college and was offered positions for post-secondary education.
But then he saw his friends having great fun as college students online.
"When you've got to get up for work on Thursday at 9:00 and you see someone's been out on the previous evening, you begin believing situations appear superior," Robert explains.
University Expectations
Media content and online platforms can glorify the idea of college existence.
Lots of people arrive at college with high expectations for what they think could be the greatest period of their lives.
Certain attendees begin their studies with "idealistic views," notes a counselling manager.
Survey Findings
- Through surveys of new students initially, the primary worry was belonging and finding acceptance
- Additional research conducted by analysts, nearly one-fifth of attendees said they were without companions at university
- A substantial portion mentioned they worried daily or weekly about making friends
Personal Journeys
Another student's social media content was populated with clips of students enjoying themselves while living together in university housing.
However when she relocated from her previous location to campus to study journalism, she found initial days "intense" because of the drinking culture it involved.
She avoids drinking and had not experienced nightlife before.
"I utilized considerable time initially within my living space," she says. "I merely sensed somewhat isolated."
Emotional Wellbeing Factors
According to recent research of over ten thousand college learners, 29% said they had considered leaving university.
The most common reason was emotional state, accompanied by financial concerns.
"Concern over all of these different things is extremely prevalent, and expected," notes a mental health professional.
Discovering Answers
With time, the students all found their feet and formed relationships.
Alisha made friends via her studies and through TikTok, while another student became more content when she could to move in with friends.
Useful Suggestions
Regarding his experience, now 24 and in his final year, it was engaging in performance groups and working occasionally that assisted in relationship building.
His recommendation to new attendees finding social interaction difficult is to just "get out of your room" and participate in group trial sessions.
"After a few weeks of consistently showing up, people recognise your face," Robert says, "you recognise theirs, and relationships start developing."
