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

Robert Medhurst spent most of his first week at university looking at social media, reading posts about fellow students partying.

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

His housemates rarely went out, and his studies didn't appear particularly social.

Even though he made efforts by participating in sample activities for different clubs, he couldn't find his people.

"I gradually lost my self-esteem," he says. "It seemed that people didn't want to be friends with me, or they didn't appreciate me."

Online Network Judgments

Initially, Robert didn't plan of going to university and was offered positions for following college.

But then he saw his friends having great fun as students on Instagram.

"When you've got to get up for your job during the week at nine in the morning and you observe peers partied on midweek, you start feeling others have it better," Robert mentions.

Higher Education Assumptions

TV shows and social media can idealize the notion of student life.

Many individuals come to university with great anticipations for what they believe could be the greatest period of their lives.

Various learners arrive at college with "idealistic views," explains a support services coordinator.

Research Results

• According to research of new students initially, the primary worry was finding their place and finding acceptance
• In another survey conducted by analysts, 17% of students said they were without companions at university
• 37% said they worried daily or weekly about making friends

Personal Journeys

A different attendee's TikTok feed was populated with clips of girls having fun while living together in university housing.

But when she transferred from London to Sheffield to study journalism, she found initial days "daunting" because of how much alcohol it involved.

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

"I utilized considerable time initially inside my accommodation," she says. "I simply experienced a bit alienated."

Mental Health Considerations

In a 2025 survey of more than 10,000 undergraduate students, nearly one-third reported they thought about leaving university.

The main cause was emotional state, followed by financial concerns.

"Concern over all of these different things is massively common, and expected," adds a counselling expert.

Identifying Resolutions

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

She formed relationships during classes and using online platforms, while Christina felt happier once she was able to move in with friends.

Practical Advice

In his case, presently older and in his last year, it was joining his university's drama society and employment during studies that helped him make friends.

Robert's advice to new attendees experiencing connection challenges is to simply leave your accommodation and participate in group trial sessions.

"After a few weeks of regular attendance, others notice your presence," Robert says, "you become familiar with them, and friendships begin forming."