Struggling at university

So I've been at university for a month now and I'm struggling. I'm already behind on work and am worried that I won't pass the year as it already seems overwhelming. I haven't really made any friends yet as my course is so big so we all have different timetables and feel like people have already established their friendship groups. I'm not particularly close with flatmates either, we get along at least in my opinion but they all seem closer to each other so I'm always kind of left out. I feel lonely and overwhelmed and am really hoping it gets better as time goes by but i'm not so sure. I'm also really quite homesick and am home for the weekend right now but I'm not keen on going back to the university. Everyone says university is the best time of your life and you'll love it but I'm not feeling it.

(edited 5 years ago)

Reply 1

DrawTheLine

Original post by Michimimi

So I've been at university for a month now and I'm struggling. I'm already behind on work and am worried that I won't pass the year as it already seems overwhelming. I haven't really made any friends yet as my course is so big so we all have different timetables and feel like people have already established their friendship groups. I'm not particularly close with flatmates either, we get along at least in my opinion but they all seem closer to each other so I'm always kind of left out. I feel lonely and overwhelmed and am really hoping it gets better as time goes by but i'm not so sure. Everyone says university is the best time of your life and you'll love it but I'm not feeling it.

It's okay, you're only a month in. It can take a while to settle because uni is so different to school. I think it took me around 2 months to feel almost totally comfortable. I'm still not 100% even though I'm in 2nd year now!

Is there a counselling service or support people you can speak to?

Reply 2

Michimimi

Yeah I'm thinking of applying for the counselling sessions, I'm just worried my whole university experience would be like this but I do tend to overthink a lot

Original post by DrawTheLine

Reply 3

DrawTheLine

Original post by Michimimi

Yeah I'm thinking of applying for the counselling sessions, I'm just worried my whole university experience would be like this but I do tend to overthink a lot

Talk to the counsellors and see what they say, as they're trained to help students like you so you can get some really good advice.

Reply 4

MissVampire

Yeah. Honestly it’s only your first month. Things should get better. Don’t worry! You’ve got this!

Reply 5

jelly1000

Original post by Michimimi

On the course side of things, when you say you are behind on work what exactly do you mean? Have you actually missed any deadlines? Are you struggling with content or volume of work?

Regarding your social life, I can 100% sympathise as I was in a similar place to you in my first year. One thing was able to do was get talking to people in seminars and some of those people I was able to meet up with every so often for coffee/lunch/dinner. Also if you haven't already do go and consider joining some societies.

Reply 6

sandytablet

I'm the exact same. I kind of take time to get to know and trust people so it's kind of hard since I'm not constantly around people from my course. I've met people from my courses but we're still kind of acquaintances. I'm rather reserved, too, and don't like to go out very often (I don't drink and I usually just play games all day). don't really talk to anyone except my friends from high school, a few friends from uni, my flatmates and family. I'm sure it'll work out for us, though.

Reply 7

Kathy2734

I’m the same. I’ve been at uni for almost 3 months. I’m doing a very demanding medical course so there’s not a lot of time to socialise and make friends. And most people in my class are much older than me as I’m 18. I live away and feel like I’m constantly waiting and wishing I was at home. I’m not sure what to do and I constantly over think a lot. And I’m annoyed that I didn’t take a gap year 🙄. I feel quite lonely and so unsure of what I should do.