🔗 Share this article Struggling to have the time of your life at college? Many share your feelings. Robert and Christina describe their stories of life at university. One university attendee used up much of his orientation week scrolling through social media, reading posts about peers enjoying evenings out. "I stayed indoors," Robert explains, characterizing that period as the most solitary phase of his life. The people he lived with didn't go out much, and his studies didn't appear especially friendly. Even though he made efforts by going to taster sessions for different clubs, he was unable to locate like-minded individuals. "I began losing my confidence," he says. "I believed people didn't want to be friends with me, or they weren't fond of me." Social Media Comparisons Originally, Robert had no intention of going to university and was offered positions for post-secondary education. But then he saw his friends enjoying themselves as students on Instagram. "When you've got to get up for work on Thursday at nine in the morning and you see someone's been out on Wednesday night, you do start thinking situations appear superior," Robert explains. Higher Education Assumptions Media content and digital networks can romanticize the concept of university living. Many individuals come to university with strong assumptions for what they believe could be the greatest period of their lives. Some students come to university with "rose-tinted glasses," says a counselling manager. Survey Findings According to research of new students initially, the main anxiety was fitting in and finding acceptance Further studies by market research agencies, 17% of students said they had no friends at university Over one-third reported they felt anxious regularly about making friends Personal Journeys A different attendee's social media content was populated with clips of students enjoying themselves while sharing accommodation in college residences. However when she transferred from her previous location to campus to learn reporting, she found initial days "daunting" because of the drinking culture it involved. Alisha doesn't drink and had never been clubbing before. "I actually passed considerable time initially inside my accommodation," she says. "I simply experienced slightly disconnected." Psychological Aspects According to recent research of over ten thousand university attendees, a significant portion mentioned they had considered leaving university. The main cause was psychological wellbeing, succeeded by monetary worries. "Concern over these multiple factors is massively common, and typical," adds a counselling expert. Finding Solutions With time, Robert, Alisha and Christina all found their feet and built connections. She formed relationships via her studies and using online platforms, while the individual experienced improvement when she could to move in with friends. Useful Suggestions For Robert, presently older and in his concluding studies, it was participating in theater activities and employment during studies that assisted in relationship building. His recommendation to first-year students struggling to socialize is to just "get out of your room" and attend organization sample activities. "Subsequent to periods of continuous participation, individuals become familiar with you," he explains, "you recognise theirs, and friendships begin forming."