Struggling to have the time of your life at college? Many share your feelings.

Robert Medhurst passed the majority of his first week at university looking at digital networks, reading posts about fellow students partying.

"I stayed indoors," Robert recalls, depicting those days as the loneliest time of his life.

The people he lived with rarely went out, and his program didn't seem especially friendly.

Even though he made efforts by going to taster sessions for different clubs, he couldn't find like-minded individuals.

"I began losing my self-assurance," he says. "I felt like individuals didn't desire to be friends with me, or they didn't like me."

Social Media Comparisons

Originally, Robert wasn't considering of going to university and had a job offer for following college.

Yet he observed his peers enjoying themselves as college students online.

"When you've got to get up for employment on weekdays at 9:00 and you see someone's been out on Wednesday night, you begin believing situations appear superior," Robert says.

College Anticipations

TV shows and digital networks can idealize the notion of university living.

Many individuals come to university with strong assumptions for what they believe could be the best years of their lives.

Some students begin their studies with "idealistic views," explains a support services coordinator.

Research Results

• Through surveys of new students initially, the primary worry was fitting in and being accepted
• Additional research through polling organizations, 17% of students said they had no friends at university
• Over one-third reported they experienced concern frequently about making friends

Personal Experiences

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

But when Alisha moved from her hometown to university to study journalism, she found initial days "overwhelming" because of how much alcohol it involved.

Alisha doesn't drink and had not experienced nightlife before.

"I actually passed considerable time initially in my room," she says. "I just felt a bit alienated."

Mental Health Considerations

Through current studies of more than 10,000 undergraduate students, a significant portion mentioned they thought about withdrawing from studies.

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

"Concern over these various aspects is extremely prevalent, and expected," adds a support specialist.

Identifying Resolutions

With time, the students gradually adjusted and built connections.

She built connections through her course and using online platforms, while Christina felt happier after being able to share accommodation with peers.

Helpful Recommendations

Regarding his experience, now 24 and in his last year, it was joining his university's drama society and getting a part-time job that supported social connection.

His recommendation to beginning learners experiencing connection challenges is to just "get out of your room" and go to club and society taster events.

"After a few weeks of consistently showing up, individuals become familiar with you," he explains, "you recognise theirs, and relationships start developing."