A reminder - it's completely normal

There’s an expectation that you will instantly love the independence of university, but if you don't, you might feel like the odd one out. Don't worry, this isn't the case. 

Loneliness is a completely normal feeling. It can be hard to make the jump to a lot of independent studying and even spending time on your own for the first time.

Social media doesn't always help either. You could be sitting in your room with nothing to do, whilst on Instagram and TikTok, people you know are posting pictures and videos of themselves and their many friends having the time of their lives. Stop. Try not to compare yourself to them because that will lead down a negative path; your priority should be improving how you feel. 

Simple things like getting out of the house, joining societies/sports teams, or just speaking to the person next to you in a lecture could really help. It'll help you get out of your typical (and lonely) routine of sitting in your room and not talking to anyone about what you've done that day or how you feel.

Skipping lectures and seminars won't help either. Sometimes you won't feel up to it and would much prefer to stay at home, but it helps you to communicate with your fellow students about your everyday life and you could even start speaking about how you're feeling if you trust them; it would help!

Here's some more simple advice to help you cope and feel more connected: 

• It's important to stay healthy because a greasy takeaway will make you feel physically worse as well as emotionally. Cooking a meal at home can distract your mind. You can even stick your favourite show on in the background or have a kitchen disco to your favourite songs - making the experience more enjoyable and fun can really boost your wellbeing and make you enjoy your alone time more.
• Don't rely on the internet for your interactions. Simply walk down the corridor and speak to someone or ring/FaceTime a family member or friend. 
• Talk to someone! The university might be closed sometimes, but this doesn't mean there aren't people to speak to - your GP or local charities in the area will always give you that helping hand when you're in need. Including:

1. Our partner Health Assured
2. Samaritans
3. Nightline
4. Student Minds
5. Other local support

There is no quick fix for feeling lonely, but we can help prevent it from getting worse by spotting it and making changes sooner rather than later. Don't hesitate to reach out for support if you need it – we're here for you.