A Practical Guide to Combating Loneliness at University
By Billy Maguire
Many students across the country will likely suffer from loneliness at some point during their degree. From freshers to final-year students, socialising and making friends can often be draining, yet students are often seen as being in the wrong for wanting to spend time alone.
Whilst balancing socialisation and alone time can be a challenge for many students, these four practical tips can help students at any stage of their degree combat loneliness whilst studying.
Learn a new skill or pick up a hobby
Arriving at university grants more free time that cannot be filled with studying or spending time with friends. Many students spend several hours a week on their own, so making time for hobbies and other interests is a crucial part of the student experience.
To combat loneliness, setting long-term or even short-term projects relating to hobbies can be a good way to fill time and hours that could be wasted if not given direction. For example, you could set up a project to write a play or learn a song on the guitar. Through utilising hours that lack direction, you can create a passion project and work on it whenever you’re on your own.
2. Explore your city.
Wanting to explore the city you live in but finding someone to do it with can be daunting, especially if you’re new to the area. However, I’d recommend exploring the city on your own. Going for a walk and listening to music as you explore the city is a brilliant idea.
Whilst out exploring, you may come across a new favourite space that wouldn’t have been found if you’d been with someone else. Exploring on your own can increase your confidence, and you don’t have to do what someone else says. Romanticising the city you live in will make you feel more at home and less alone.
3. Utilise social media.
According to research from The Higher Education Policy Institute, “59% of students said they were lonely most of the time, all of the time, or at least once a week.” In order to combat loneliness at university, reaching out to other students through social media sites such as Instagram and Tiktok can be a great way to meet new people.
Typically, within the first few weeks of university, there’s a lot going on. From fairs on campus to social events at clubs and bars, many students will be out the majority of the time, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make friends later on in the year.
On social media, you can talk to new people easily, skipping some of the awkwardness often associated with meeting people for the first time. Reaching out to other students at your university can help everyone feel less alone.
4. Join a club or society
If you have the spare time and energy, committing to a society or sports club could be a great way to meet new people. Whilst societies and sports clubs encourage socialisation, they can be a good way to keep fit and develop confidence.
Many societies and sports clubs have socials which you can attend and meet new people. Although going to society meet-ups can be scary, it can be a great way to meet people with similar interests.
Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in this piece by the author are their own – they do not and are not intended to represent the beliefs and opinions of Plymouth University, University of Plymouth Student Union or the Plymouth Gazette.
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