Third Year: Is it too late to make friends?

So I'm going into third year at uni after taking a year off and I have made no friends. I'm pretty socially anxious, and I've not really done any uni stuff apart from work.

I'm pretty ******* lonely. All my friends from highschool went somewhere else, so I've not really got any friends.

Is third year too late? I feel too old to make friends with uni students since I'm 23. Plus I live with my parents still so I feel pretty *****y.

(edited 3 months ago)

Reply 1

jaketanguay

Original post by Rogoana

So I'm going into third year at uni after taking a year off and I have made no friends. I'm pretty socially anxious, and I've not really done any uni stuff apart from work.
I'm pretty ******* lonely. All my friends from highschool went somewhere else, so I've not really got any friends.
Is third year too late? I feel too old to make friends with uni students since I'm 23. Plus I live with my parents still so I feel pretty *****y.

Hey, sorry to hear that. It can certainly feel a little lonely if you aren't part of the cliques at med school. From my own experience you definitely won't be the only one feeling like this and there are loads of people who will be only too pleased to get to know you. A good way to meet new people can be joining a society that interests you, or maybe something that has a purpose perhaps some volunteering to help get you out in the community meeting new people?
Either way if you are truly feeling really awful and low and worried about your mental Heath please do seek help with the student welfare team at your university.

Reply 2

Chester Student

Official Rep

Original post by Rogoana

So I'm going into third year at uni after taking a year off and I have made no friends. I'm pretty socially anxious, and I've not really done any uni stuff apart from work.
I'm pretty ******* lonely. All my friends from highschool went somewhere else, so I've not really got any friends.
Is third year too late? I feel too old to make friends with uni students since I'm 23. Plus I live with my parents still so I feel pretty *****y.

Hi there,

I'm very sorry to hear you are feeling this way. Hopefully I can help to ease some of this worry! Please know it is never too late to make friends. Everyone is at a different stage of their university journey, and most people are very receptive to making new friends.

I think one major thing you can do to help yourself is to put yourself out there. It can be incredibly daunting, but it is necessary to meet new people and get to know others to make friends. Are there any sports, societies, volunteering, or part-time work opportunities that you are particularly interested in? These are all fantastic ways to meet people, and also help to give you a little more routine as you get back into the swing of school.

And if it is of any consolation, I am in somewhat of a similar situation to you. I took a year out to study abroad, and most of the people I knew have now graduated. I'm heading into a completely new class of people, don't know anyone in my accommodation, and am not a part of any sports or societies as of now. However, I am planning on attending Welcome Week events, volunteering, and have been socializing with my new class as best as I can on a field trip!

It is hard, but it is definitely doable. You've got this, and best of luck!

Isabella
Fourth-Year Geography with a Year Abroad Student

Reply 3

mike23mike

Its never too late to make friends. After you graduate you will start work and then need to make new friends so dont be put off now. Go to freshers week, join a few clubs and societies and that will be a natural way to find people with similar interests - whether its stamp collecting or hang gliding.