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

A student named Robert spent most of his freshers' week browsing through digital networks, seeing content about peers enjoying evenings out.

"I was just in bed," Robert remembers, characterizing that period as the most solitary phase of his life.

His housemates didn't go out much, and his course didn't feel very sociable.

Although he tried by going to taster sessions for different clubs, he was unable to locate people he connected with.

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

Social Media Comparisons

Originally, Robert had no intention of going to university and received employment offers for post-secondary education.

But then he saw his friends living it up as college students online.

"When you've got to get up for employment on weekdays at 9:00 and you notice others went out on the previous evening, you begin believing situations appear superior," Robert says.

College Anticipations

Media content and digital networks can idealize the notion of college existence.

Numerous students arrive at college with strong assumptions for what they believe could be the best years of their lives.

Certain attendees 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 fitting in and being accepted
• Additional research by market research agencies, 17% of students said they had no friends at university
• 37% said they felt anxious regularly about making friends

Personal Journeys

Another student's online videos was full of videos of girls having fun while sharing accommodation in student houses.

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 utilized a lot of freshers' week in my room," she says. "I just felt a bit alienated."

Mental Health Considerations

Through current studies of over ten thousand university attendees, a significant portion mentioned they thought about withdrawing from studies.

The primary factor was psychological wellbeing, succeeded by monetary worries.

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

Finding Solutions

Over periods, all three individuals eventually adapted and developed friendships.

Alisha made friends via her studies and using online platforms, while another student became more content after being able to share accommodation with peers.

Helpful Recommendations

For Robert, now 24 and in his last year, it was engaging in performance groups and employment during studies that assisted in relationship building.

His recommendation to new attendees struggling to socialize is to venture outside your living space and attend organization sample activities.

"Following several weeks of consistently showing up, individuals become familiar with you," he explains, "you notice their presence, and you start making friends."