đź”— Share this article Struggling to have the time of your life at college? Many share your feelings. Two students share their experiences of college living. One university attendee spent most of his freshers' week browsing through social media, seeing content about other students' fun nights out. "I was just in bed," Robert recalls, characterizing that period as the most isolated period of his life. His housemates didn't go out much, and his course didn't feel particularly social. Although he tried by attending trial events for different clubs, he couldn't find people he connected with. "I started to lose my confidence," he says. "I believed others weren't interested to be friends with me, or they didn't like me." Online Network Judgments Originally, Robert had no intention of going to university and received employment offers for following college. Yet he observed his peers living it up as university attendees on social media. "When you've got to get up for employment on weekdays at nine in the morning and you see someone's been out on the previous evening, you begin believing situations appear superior," Robert says. Higher Education Assumptions TV shows and online platforms can romanticize the concept of college existence. Numerous students come to university with great anticipations for what they believe could be the most wonderful time of their lives. Certain attendees begin their studies with "optimistic perspectives," says a counselling manager. Research Results Through surveys of freshers in their first week, the primary worry was fitting in and being accepted Additional research by market research agencies, nearly one-fifth of attendees said they were without companions at university Over one-third reported they worried daily or weekly about building relationships Individual Stories Alisha Miah's TikTok feed was full of videos of girls having fun while living together in college residences. Yet when she relocated from her hometown to university to study journalism, she found freshers' week "intense" because of how much alcohol it involved. Alisha doesn't drink and had never been clubbing before. "I actually passed a lot of freshers' week in my room," she says. "I merely sensed a bit alienated." Mental Health Considerations Through current studies of over ten thousand university attendees, nearly one-third reported they contemplated withdrawing from studies. The most common reason was psychological wellbeing, accompanied by financial concerns. "Worry regarding all of these different things is extremely prevalent, and expected," notes a counselling expert. Finding Solutions Eventually, the students all found their feet and built connections. She formed relationships during classes and via social media, while Christina felt happier after being able to relocate with companions. Helpful Recommendations Regarding his experience, currently in his mid-twenties and in his concluding studies, it was engaging in performance groups and getting a part-time job that helped him make friends. Robert's advice to beginning learners finding social interaction difficult is to simply leave your accommodation and go to club and society taster events. "After a few weeks of regular attendance, others notice your presence," he mentions, "you recognise theirs, and friendships begin forming."