Masters student feeling lonely and depressed
Hi all. I guess I'm posting here not so much to seek advice, but more so to let if off my chest, and see if anyone else has faced similar issues. If anyone can give me advice, that would be great.
I'm a 25-year-old Masters student who, unsurprisingly, is studying clinical psychology. I commuted in the first semester as I thought it was going to be cheaper, but I found it exhausting as I had 6 hour long lectures. I then moved to be nearer the university itself, and ever since, I've noticed a drastic change in my mood.
I had been on antidepressants for over a year and over the past few weeks have been weaning myself off them. My main problem I think is loneliness, which I think is having the biggest effect on my mood. I have acquaintances on my course who I speak to, but I wouldn't say we're 'friends', and I rarely see them anyway as we only had one lecture a week and now lectures have finished, I rarely see anyone at all. My days consist of waking up, spending all day in the library and going home to spend the rest of the evening in my room or on my laptop. Before you say, join some societies, this just isn't possible with the workload of a Masters. I guess I should make more of an effort, but when I do, it just feels very forced and phoney.
My housemates are lovely, quiet and are always friendly when they see me/speak to me, but we don't socialise at all. There's a language barrier there, so that's probably why. I don't have a relationship, and at this rate it looks like I won't have one in the foreseeable future. I have one close friend long-distance from my previous university, but it seems even we're growing a bit more distant (she's got a new relationship, is socialising more, etc.) At home, it's just me and my mum; I don't have any extended family who I am close to or see regularly.
I find I don't make friends very easily or very rarely 'click' with someone, which is probably half my problem.
I don't need counselling or any of that, because I wouldn't say this is a serious issue. I'm just letting this all out I suppose, and wondered if anyone else has been/is in the same boat as me.
Thanks.
I'm a 25-year-old Masters student who, unsurprisingly, is studying clinical psychology. I commuted in the first semester as I thought it was going to be cheaper, but I found it exhausting as I had 6 hour long lectures. I then moved to be nearer the university itself, and ever since, I've noticed a drastic change in my mood.
I had been on antidepressants for over a year and over the past few weeks have been weaning myself off them. My main problem I think is loneliness, which I think is having the biggest effect on my mood. I have acquaintances on my course who I speak to, but I wouldn't say we're 'friends', and I rarely see them anyway as we only had one lecture a week and now lectures have finished, I rarely see anyone at all. My days consist of waking up, spending all day in the library and going home to spend the rest of the evening in my room or on my laptop. Before you say, join some societies, this just isn't possible with the workload of a Masters. I guess I should make more of an effort, but when I do, it just feels very forced and phoney.
My housemates are lovely, quiet and are always friendly when they see me/speak to me, but we don't socialise at all. There's a language barrier there, so that's probably why. I don't have a relationship, and at this rate it looks like I won't have one in the foreseeable future. I have one close friend long-distance from my previous university, but it seems even we're growing a bit more distant (she's got a new relationship, is socialising more, etc.) At home, it's just me and my mum; I don't have any extended family who I am close to or see regularly.
I find I don't make friends very easily or very rarely 'click' with someone, which is probably half my problem.
I don't need counselling or any of that, because I wouldn't say this is a serious issue. I'm just letting this all out I suppose, and wondered if anyone else has been/is in the same boat as me.
Thanks.
Yeah I sympathise.
This time last year I was going through a period of isolation and loneliness - caused by my circumstances. I have a relatively small family, scattered across the world. My friends are also scattered in the UK.
I think anyone can end up in these situations - but usually it's not for ever. In the end being open minded was the keyfor me. Helped me reconnect with old friends and also meet new people.
"Rarely clicking" with people is a problem I have too. Not being able to form meaningful connections. A case of abundant "acquaintances" but not many "friends". Completely understand.
Guessing you are a woman? Probably makes things a bit easier to be honest. At least someone will want you. Perhaps try Tinder? Lame advice I know but didn't want to go for "join a club".
This time last year I was going through a period of isolation and loneliness - caused by my circumstances. I have a relatively small family, scattered across the world. My friends are also scattered in the UK.
I think anyone can end up in these situations - but usually it's not for ever. In the end being open minded was the keyfor me. Helped me reconnect with old friends and also meet new people.
"Rarely clicking" with people is a problem I have too. Not being able to form meaningful connections. A case of abundant "acquaintances" but not many "friends". Completely understand.
Guessing you are a woman? Probably makes things a bit easier to be honest. At least someone will want you. Perhaps try Tinder? Lame advice I know but didn't want to go for "join a club".
(edited 7 years ago)
I can't offer you much advice but if it helps, I'm currently in a very similar situation. I feel that I only have acquaintances at university, having failed to form real friendships. Old friends are becoming more distant and as a result, I feel pretty lonely. Not really sure how to combat it either. I'm part of clubs - it doesn't help. I keep telling myself it's just a phase or a rough patch but it doesn't seem to end - I've been like this for around half a year, on/off. Watching old friends having the time of their life at university or constantly hearing that university is supposed to be the best time of your life really doesn't help my case either.
I feel you and wish you the best! I hope getting it off your chest helped.
I feel you and wish you the best! I hope getting it off your chest helped.
Hi,I am a 24 year old studying in one of the California university. I am also more or less going through the same situation as you are in.. I am not an introvert actually but I still don’t have real friends here. People here are not really interested in developing friendships as they would be busy planning their own futures. At least you have good people to stay with. My house is like a Bigg Boss house as people are too demanding and selfish and don’t mind to even fight like school kids. They stop talking to each other and stuff like that. So creates a lot of negative vibes around me which makes me depressed again. I also don’t know what I should be doing for the next 1 and a half year. Hopefully after that I will get married. In a long distance relationship and that sucks as well. too much of insecurities and fights as a result of that. So yeah that’s my life for now. Planning to move out of my house soon to a better place. At last the loneliness still remains.I feel the only way to get out of it is get a job, get married and settle with the one who you love.Adios🙌🏻
(edited 5 years ago)
this is very weird to reply to a comment from 6 years ago, but i am in a similar situation with my masters and the course hasn't even started yet. I moved to entirely new city that's hours away from the uni where i did my undegrad, and am feeling that sense of loneliness as i chose to stay in a studio rather than in a shared house/halls(did that for 2 years and wanted my own space really). But the problem that I am facing is that the need to make friends and ask basic fresher questions all over again (so what course do you study? where are you from?) just seems so exhausting. Especially the fact that I am continuing to do a masters just a few months after i graduated from my undergrad, so it's just been continuous study without time to really relax. Of course I know the basic
