The Student Room Group

So lonely at Oxford uni - how much alone time is normal a day? how to be happier?

I am at oxford uni for my second term ever. Term one was amazing for the first 5 weeks, I spent every second almost with someone. An example day for me would have been going to lectures in the morning with my friends, then eating out at a restraunt or getting a sweet treat and having fun and walking around shopping etc, or we'd eat in the dining hall and then we'd stay in the library, work hard, then go outside to see the sunset and fool around a bit. We'd go out for food or cook and then either do something fun or watch a movie and then sleep, or go clubbing etc. Some nights I didn't even sleep alone, like I'd have a sleepover with my friends or cuddle with my situationship (first sort of romantic attention I'd received in my life). The weekends were slightly less social, but I'd go for lunch with friends then the library then dinner and somethimg fun. And every day I'd do something really fun, like go ice skating or to ice hockey or to the rowing team etc. I did work a lot and really hard and was getting all my work done so that wasn't an issue. But slowly my friends have been not including me and making me miserable. This is now my average day - walk to a lecture with my 'friends' in silence, then sit for 2 lectures, go back to college and if I'm lucky eat lunch with someone kind of random who was kind enough to reply to my text to eat lunch with me. Then go back to my room feel depressed and have a nap or just work in the library and eat dinner alone or with someone and then that's it. I have been completely discluded from everything social and I'm just wondering whether this is normal? Like how much time a day alone is normal for oxford uni? I thought first term was normal and I was so happy being social all the time, but now people have become nasty so I'm really lonely and upset and I've been back less than a week. Any advice? Is this normal for a first year? Is there any advice as to how to deal with my 'friends' who know I did nothing to hurt them etc but have become nasty? How do I become less lonely? Thank you I really appreciate help x
Original post by Anonymous
I am at oxford uni for my second term ever. Term one was amazing for the first 5 weeks, I spent every second almost with someone. An example day for me would have been going to lectures in the morning with my friends, then eating out at a restraunt or getting a sweet treat and having fun and walking around shopping etc, or we'd eat in the dining hall and then we'd stay in the library, work hard, then go outside to see the sunset and fool around a bit. We'd go out for food or cook and then either do something fun or watch a movie and then sleep, or go clubbing etc. Some nights I didn't even sleep alone, like I'd have a sleepover with my friends or cuddle with my situationship (first sort of romantic attention I'd received in my life). The weekends were slightly less social, but I'd go for lunch with friends then the library then dinner and somethimg fun. And every day I'd do something really fun, like go ice skating or to ice hockey or to the rowing team etc. I did work a lot and really hard and was getting all my work done so that wasn't an issue. But slowly my friends have been not including me and making me miserable. This is now my average day - walk to a lecture with my 'friends' in silence, then sit for 2 lectures, go back to college and if I'm lucky eat lunch with someone kind of random who was kind enough to reply to my text to eat lunch with me. Then go back to my room feel depressed and have a nap or just work in the library and eat dinner alone or with someone and then that's it. I have been completely discluded from everything social and I'm just wondering whether this is normal? Like how much time a day alone is normal for oxford uni? I thought first term was normal and I was so happy being social all the time, but now people have become nasty so I'm really lonely and upset and I've been back less than a week. Any advice? Is this normal for a first year? Is there any advice as to how to deal with my 'friends' who know I did nothing to hurt them etc but have become nasty? How do I become less lonely? Thank you I really appreciate help x
How many friends did you have that turned 'nasty' against you?

I wonder were they all your college friends? 😧

Have you thought about joining any clubs and societies at Oxford University? Because you will meet like minded people for certain.
Reply 2
Original post by thegeek888
How many friends did you have that turned 'nasty' against you?
I wonder were they all your college friends? 😧
Have you thought about joining any clubs and societies at Oxford University? Because you will meet like minded people for certain.

I had 2 seperate massive frienship groups - the first one was poeple from my degree so we'd spend like every second togehter but they started to pahse me out and then kind of got rid of me, even when we walk to lactures now they ignore me or speedwalk ahead and then after the lecture is over they leave without a word which is hurtful as we used ot be best friends.

The second friendship group I would hangout with a few times a week but then they also started acting the same way and now don't even acnoledge me at all.

I have been part ofthe rowin gclub but unfortunately the only other poeple really going are from my degree so are mean to me. I am also part of the oxford union but we go less than once a week and I like it becuase I get to meet other peopel from other colleges. But other than this my only friend is an exchange student so will be leaving next year and I'll be totally isolated.

I feel like since its second term its too late to make new friends and everyone in college now has an exclusive group and I feel lonely and left out and sad and idk what to do.
Original post by Anonymous
I am at oxford uni for my second term ever. Term one was amazing for the first 5 weeks, I spent every second almost with someone. An example day for me would have been going to lectures in the morning with my friends, then eating out at a restraunt or getting a sweet treat and having fun and walking around shopping etc, or we'd eat in the dining hall and then we'd stay in the library, work hard, then go outside to see the sunset and fool around a bit. We'd go out for food or cook and then either do something fun or watch a movie and then sleep, or go clubbing etc. Some nights I didn't even sleep alone, like I'd have a sleepover with my friends or cuddle with my situationship (first sort of romantic attention I'd received in my life). The weekends were slightly less social, but I'd go for lunch with friends then the library then dinner and somethimg fun. And every day I'd do something really fun, like go ice skating or to ice hockey or to the rowing team etc. I did work a lot and really hard and was getting all my work done so that wasn't an issue. But slowly my friends have been not including me and making me miserable. This is now my average day - walk to a lecture with my 'friends' in silence, then sit for 2 lectures, go back to college and if I'm lucky eat lunch with someone kind of random who was kind enough to reply to my text to eat lunch with me. Then go back to my room feel depressed and have a nap or just work in the library and eat dinner alone or with someone and then that's it. I have been completely discluded from everything social and I'm just wondering whether this is normal? Like how much time a day alone is normal for oxford uni? I thought first term was normal and I was so happy being social all the time, but now people have become nasty so I'm really lonely and upset and I've been back less than a week. Any advice? Is this normal for a first year? Is there any advice as to how to deal with my 'friends' who know I did nothing to hurt them etc but have become nasty? How do I become less lonely? Thank you I really appreciate help x


Omg bless
Idk why they're being like that, Thats so mean. I hope you get through it and defo dont go back to those guys, they clearly dont appreciate you enough. Is there any other ppl that are welcoming in ur degree? Just start up a convo and see how it goes
Reply 4
Original post by Anonymous
Omg bless
Idk why they're being like that, Thats so mean. I hope you get through it and defo dont go back to those guys, they clearly dont appreciate you enough. Is there any other ppl that are welcoming in ur degree? Just start up a convo and see how it goes

Those were all the people doing my degree so I just feel totally lost and alone. Would you say my experience this term is normal for oxford? I bascially just spend all my time alone in the library or in my room and I don't know how to make it better. I just want to go clubbing and have a good time, but it's not really safe or fun to go clubbing alone and literally NO ONE will go with me which is upsetting. I'm just so upset as oxford was my happy place as I have a bad home life and I was really looking forward to being back but now I'm even more miserable.
Original post by Anonymous
I had 2 seperate massive frienship groups - the first one was poeple from my degree so we'd spend like every second togehter but they started to pahse me out and then kind of got rid of me, even when we walk to lactures now they ignore me or speedwalk ahead and then after the lecture is over they leave without a word which is hurtful as we used ot be best friends.
The second friendship group I would hangout with a few times a week but then they also started acting the same way and now don't even acnoledge me at all.
I have been part ofthe rowin gclub but unfortunately the only other poeple really going are from my degree so are mean to me. I am also part of the oxford union but we go less than once a week and I like it becuase I get to meet other peopel from other colleges. But other than this my only friend is an exchange student so will be leaving next year and I'll be totally isolated.
I feel like since its second term its too late to make new friends and everyone in college now has an exclusive group and I feel lonely and left out and sad and idk what to do.
Have you thought about joining a gym in Oxford? Because you will not get 'targeted' anymore. Because once I built my muscular physique I got respect from all those who were nasty to me and they wanted to know how I became stronger than them!!! 😉 lol

Also, try looking through this list of clubs and societies at Oxford University:

https://www.ox.ac.uk/students/life/clubs

You could always try going to the Islamic Society and meet friends there? Since everyone is a brother or sister and they have to treat you as an equal member of society. Or perhaps go to the Christian group too?

Why not sit in the common room and introduce yourself to others? Just say: "Hi, name is?" "I study x degree?" "How is your day?" "What are you doing later?"

Good luck, I pray you no longer feel isolated or lonely. ☹️ 🙂

PS: Are you studying PPE? Medicine? Law? Maths? Engineering? Try to make friends in the lectures and tutorials perhaps?
(edited 2 months ago)
Original post by Anonymous
Those were all the people doing my degree so I just feel totally lost and alone. Would you say my experience this term is normal for oxford? I bascially just spend all my time alone in the library or in my room and I don't know how to make it better. I just want to go clubbing and have a good time, but it's not really safe or fun to go clubbing alone and literally NO ONE will go with me which is upsetting. I'm just so upset as oxford was my happy place as I have a bad home life and I was really looking forward to being back but now I'm even more miserable.


Bless omg. I definitely wouldn't say that's normal (i cant speak for Oxford tbh but my friends go bristol and york and it definitely hasnt been like that for them). If you dont mind me asking, did something happen that made them act this way?
I am sorry that you are having difficulties. A suggestion: Instead of regarding a person who has lunch with you as "some kind of random", see that person as a friend. Talk to that person about his or her interests and ideas. Suggest further social activities. Think of friendship as a non-transactional interchange, not as centered on you or on the other person. Nobody is a "random". That person has needs just like you. Perhaps he or she is lonely and might like to spend time with you more often. Friendship requires effort from both friends if it is to grow.

Friendships at university evolve, and the second term is not usually as heady as the first. There is an old joke that people spend the second term shrugging off the friends they made in the first term. That can be partly true, but doesn't have to be.

Being alone to study is normal. People may be knuckling down to the work. Some have Mods this term. Others may be thinking of exams next term. If you treat being an undergraduate as your job, you can organise your time for work, rest, activity, and socialising. Talk to your tutor, a finalist, or a graduate student who was an undergraduate at Oxford about organising your time. Your youngest tutors may have been undergraduates not so many years ago.

Maybe start a new activity. Learn a new sport or hobby, take up a language class, join a choir, master a new dance technique, audition for a play, and so on.

If you are the same student who has posted elsewhere about drinking a lot before seeing a male friend at another college, try to drink less, or maybe not at all. If drinking is social and fun, great. If it's medication, stop. Talk to your "situationship" friend about how you feel.

Also, talk to the welfare staff at your college.

I hope that things pick up for you. Oxford is still the same Oxford that you enjoyed last term. Your first Oxford summer lies not far ahead.
(edited 2 months ago)

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