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One university attendee used up much of his orientation week scrolling through social media, seeing content about other students' fun nights out.

"I stayed indoors," Robert explains, describing the week as the most isolated period of his life.

Robert's flatmates seldom socialized, and his program didn't seem particularly social.

Despite putting himself out there by attending trial events for multiple organizations, he couldn't find people he connected with.

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

Social Media Comparisons

Originally, Robert didn't plan of attending college and was offered positions for post-secondary education.

However he saw his friends living it up as university attendees on social media.

"When you must rise for work on Thursday at the morning hour and you notice others went out on midweek, you do start thinking situations appear superior," Robert explains.

University Expectations

Television programs and digital networks can idealize the notion of college existence.

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

Some students begin their studies with "optimistic perspectives," says a counselling manager.

Research Results

• In a poll of first-year attendees early on, the main anxiety was fitting in and feeling included
• Additional research through polling organizations, 17% of students said they lacked friendships at university
• A substantial portion mentioned they felt anxious regularly about forming friendships

Personal Journeys

A different attendee's social media content was filled with content of peers socializing while cohabitating in student houses.

However when Alisha moved from her previous location to campus to pursue media studies, she found freshers' week "daunting" because of the drinking culture it involved.

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

"I utilized much of orientation in my room," she says. "I just felt slightly disconnected."

Emotional Wellbeing Factors

Through current studies of over ten thousand university attendees, nearly one-third reported they had considered dropping out.

The primary factor was emotional state, accompanied by financial concerns.

"Worry regarding all of these different things is massively common, and expected," explains a counselling expert.

Identifying Resolutions

Over periods, the students all found their feet and built connections.

She built connections through her course and via social media, while Christina felt happier when she could to relocate with companions.

Useful Suggestions

In his case, currently in his mid-twenties and in his final year, it was engaging in performance groups and working occasionally that helped him make friends.

His recommendation to first-year students struggling to socialize is to just "get out of your room" and participate in group trial sessions.

"After a few weeks of continuous participation, people recognise your face," he explains, "you become familiar with them, and you start making friends."