Isolation and lack of social life

Number 1 - stop looking at Facebook.

I'm not on Facebook, never have been, and tbh would prefer to never be on it. But it does seem that so many people use it to organise social activities now, and if you're not on it you get kind of sidelined. I don't see what's so difficult about verbally informing someone that something's happening if you see them regularly, or, failing that, send them an email or a text. It sometimes feels like even when you turn up at the start of an event you've really turned up half way through it, since it's already been going on for hours via Failbook, sorry, Facebook.

Oh - don't get me wrong. I have been a devout Facebooker for a number of years and I am sure it appeals to many in a positive way. But I have noted recently that the kind of posts on my page posted by my friends are either some form of political point to be made, an article that they read or some form of veiled one-up-manship look-how-great-my-life is type post. Finally I started getting photos of dead children on my news feed and decided enough was enough.

So you've quit Facebook?

Yep - and you know what? My social life is just as active and I don't miss it.

I am currently doing K213 and have been with the OU for three years. But I am really missing the normal university experience of having friends, parties, working with people and independence. Obviously I want to complete my degree, but I am wondering on how everyone copes. It's really getting me down and i am feeling rather jealous as my cousins are at brick unis and I am not. I can't bare to look at my facebook wall as it makes me wanna cry.

I have limited friend contact in real life and struggle to make friends as result i am rather isolated, depressed and everything is making me miserable

Number 1 - stop looking at Facebook. I recently did it and have to say I feel quite liberated. It serves only to either show off about how great your life is, or to see how other people are showing off about how great their lives are, where as in reality everyone is having a miserable time.

Secondly, where do you live? Is there a local university you could hang out at? I have joined and participated in lots of societies and sports clubs at universities that I didn't belong to. Generally speaking everyone is friendly and welcome so go for it!

Good luck!

This is a really great idea! How did you go about doing this?

For Facebook, you just uninstall the app. I still use Messenger occasionally so don't want to cancel my account.

As for clubs and societies - most have a website. Send some emails or just turn up. I have found that there is a general "the more the merrier" attitude to student clubs.