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Robert Medhurst passed the majority of his first week at university browsing through social media, reading posts about other students' fun nights out.

"I was just in bed," Robert remembers, depicting those days as the loneliest time of his life.

The people he lived with didn't go out much, and his course didn't feel very sociable.

Although he tried by going to taster sessions for various societies, he couldn't find like-minded individuals.

"I started to lose my confidence," he says. "I believed people didn't want to form friendships with me, or they didn't like me."

Digital Platform Contrasts

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

But then he saw his friends having great fun as college students online.

"When you've got to get up for your job during the week at 9:00 and you observe peers partied on Wednesday night, you do start thinking others have it better," Robert mentions.

University Expectations

Media content and online platforms can idealize the notion of student life.

Many individuals begin university with great anticipations for what they believe could be the best years of their lives.

Various learners arrive at college with "optimistic perspectives," explains a mental health professional.

Study Outcomes

• According to research of new students initially, the primary worry was fitting in and feeling included
• Additional research through polling organizations, nearly one-fifth of attendees said they lacked friendships at university
• Over one-third reported they worried daily or weekly about making friends

Personal Experiences

Alisha Miah's TikTok feed was filled with content of girls having fun while cohabitating in student houses.

However when Alisha moved 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 not experienced nightlife before.

"I actually passed much of orientation within my living space," she says. "I simply experienced somewhat isolated."

Emotional Wellbeing Factors

According to recent research of more than 10,000 university attendees, 29% said they thought about leaving university.

The primary factor was their mental and emotional health, followed by economic considerations.

"Worry regarding these multiple factors is very widespread, and expected," adds a mental health professional.

Finding Solutions

With time, all three individuals all found their feet and developed friendships.

Alisha made friends during classes and using online platforms, while Christina felt happier after being able to move in with friends.

Useful Suggestions

Regarding his experience, presently older and in his final year, it was participating in theater activities and working occasionally that helped him make friends.

His recommendation to new attendees struggling to socialize is to venture outside your living space and go to club and society taster events.

"Subsequent to periods of consistently showing up, people recognise your face," Robert says, "you become familiar with them, and you start making friends."