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Robert Medhurst spent most of his freshers' week scrolling through social media, viewing updates about peers enjoying evenings out.

"I stayed indoors," Robert recalls, depicting those days as the most isolated period of his life.

His housemates didn't go out much, and his studies didn't appear very sociable.

Even though he made efforts by attending trial events for various societies, he didn't discover his people.

"I gradually lost my self-assurance," he says. "It seemed that people didn't want to form friendships with me, or they weren't fond of me."

Online Network Judgments

Initially, Robert had no intention of studying at university and was offered positions for post-secondary education.

Yet he observed his peers living it up as students on Instagram.

"When you need to wake up for work on Thursday at the morning hour and you observe peers partied on Wednesday night, you begin believing the grass is greener," Robert mentions.

Higher Education Assumptions

Media content and social media can romanticize the concept of university living.

Numerous students arrive at college with great anticipations for what they think could be the most wonderful time of their lives.

Some students begin their studies with "rose-tinted glasses," says a counselling manager.

Research Results

• In a poll of first-year attendees early on, students' biggest concern was finding their place and finding acceptance
• In another survey through polling organizations, a significant minority said they had no friends at university
• 37% said they worried daily or weekly about making friends

Individual Stories

A different attendee's social media content was full of videos of peers socializing while sharing accommodation in college residences.

However when Alisha moved from her previous location to campus to learn reporting, she found freshers' week "intense" because of the substance involvement it involved.

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

"I did spend considerable time initially in my room," she says. "I just felt a bit alienated."

Psychological Aspects

In a 2025 survey of numerous university attendees, nearly one-third reported they thought about withdrawing from studies.

The primary factor was emotional state, accompanied by financial concerns.

"Concern over these multiple factors is very widespread, and normal," adds a mental health professional.

Discovering Answers

Over periods, the students gradually adjusted and developed friendships.

She built connections through her course and via social media, while the individual experienced improvement once she was able to relocate with companions.

Useful Suggestions

Regarding his experience, now 24 and in his concluding studies, it was joining his university's drama society and getting a part-time job that helped him make friends.

His recommendation to new attendees finding social interaction difficult is to just "get out of your room" and go to club and society taster events.

"After a few weeks of consistently showing up, individuals become familiar with you," he mentions, "you recognise theirs, and friendships begin forming."