Not having an amazing experience at college? You're not alone.

Robert Medhurst spent most of his first week at university scrolling through social media, seeing content about fellow students partying.

"I was just in bed," Robert explains, describing the week as the most isolated period of his life.

His housemates seldom socialized, and his program didn't seem particularly social.

Although he tried by participating in sample activities for multiple organizations, he didn't discover his people.

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

Social Media Comparisons

Originally, Robert wasn't considering of studying at university and received employment offers for after sixth form.

But then he watched his acquaintances living it up as students on Instagram.

"When you need to wake up for your job during the week at nine in the morning and you notice others went out on the previous evening, you begin believing situations appear superior," Robert says.

Higher Education Assumptions

Media content and social media can romanticize the concept of student life.

Lots of people come to university with great anticipations for what they imagine could be the best years of their lives.

Some students arrive at college with "rose-tinted glasses," notes a counselling manager.

Survey Findings

• According to research of new students initially, the main anxiety was finding their place and feeling included
• In another survey by market research agencies, a significant minority said they lacked friendships at university
• A substantial portion mentioned they experienced concern frequently about forming friendships

Personal Journeys

Another student's TikTok feed was full of videos of girls having fun while cohabitating in university housing.

However when she relocated from London to Sheffield to pursue media studies, she found orientation period "overwhelming" because of how much alcohol it involved.

Alisha doesn't drink and had not experienced nightlife before.

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

Emotional Wellbeing Factors

In a 2025 survey of numerous college learners, 29% said they had considered withdrawing from studies.

The main cause was emotional state, followed by economic considerations.

"Anxiety about these various aspects is very widespread, and normal," explains a counselling expert.

Identifying Resolutions

With time, all three individuals all found their feet and formed relationships.

She built connections through her course and through TikTok, while another student became more content after being able to relocate with companions.

Useful Suggestions

In his case, now 24 and in his last year, it was joining his university's drama society and working occasionally that helped him make friends.

His recommendation to first-year students struggling to socialize is to simply leave your accommodation and go to club and society taster events.

"Following several weeks of continuous participation, people recognise your face," Robert says, "you become familiar with them, and you start making friends."