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Having a hard time making friends at college

Really random i am in year 12 but i feel like it is really hard for me to make friends at college, i have seen most of my school friends have new friends. Even in college there are already many friend groups formed and it makes me feel very lonely as i was looking forward to making new friendships. I do initiate conversations but its hard for me to connect with people. Anyone with similar experience

Reply 1

Original post
by Anonymous
Really random i am in year 12 but i feel like it is really hard for me to make friends at college, i have seen most of my school friends have new friends. Even in college there are already many friend groups formed and it makes me feel very lonely as i was looking forward to making new friendships. I do initiate conversations but its hard for me to connect with people. Anyone with similar experience


I feel that. I’m homeschooled now, but while I was still in secondary, I tried my best to sort of initiate conversations or just connect. For others, connection seemed to come to them naturally. But I feel like any attempt I made was just awkward for everyone. I still attend like some programmes for a level students, and even then I can’t seem to fit into any of the groups, it’s like everyone’s already like found their friend group and…yh it sucks. I understand how u r feeling

Reply 2

Original post
by Anonymous
I feel that. I’m homeschooled now, but while I was still in secondary, I tried my best to sort of initiate conversations or just connect. For others, connection seemed to come to them naturally. But I feel like any attempt I made was just awkward for everyone. I still attend like some programmes for a level students, and even then I can’t seem to fit into any of the groups, it’s like everyone’s already like found their friend group and…yh it sucks. I understand how u r feeling


I feel like it’s impossible to make friends now, compared to the past where making friendships seemed natural (I’m Anonymous #2 btw)

Reply 3

Original post
by Anonymous
I feel that. I’m homeschooled now, but while I was still in secondary, I tried my best to sort of initiate conversations or just connect. For others, connection seemed to come to them naturally. But I feel like any attempt I made was just awkward for everyone. I still attend like some programmes for a level students, and even then I can’t seem to fit into any of the groups, it’s like everyone’s already like found their friend group and…yh it sucks. I understand how u r feeling

Exactly i feel like i am too awkward too ☹️ i genuinely dont even know how people can just connect with people and click instantly it feels a bit better to know that i am not the only one i hope it gets better in the future for us ❤️*🩹

Reply 4

Original post
by Anonymous
Exactly i feel like i am too awkward too ☹️ i genuinely dont even know how people can just connect with people and click instantly it feels a bit better to know that i am not the only one i hope it gets better in the future for us ❤️*🩹


Literally- people can just connect easily don’t realise how lucky they have it. I heard it gets better in uni or like when you start working so I’m just hanging in there. Hope it gets better for u soon ❤️

Reply 5

i'm sorry, this must be really hard for you, but all hope is not lost!! i fell out with my friend group at the end of y12, and i thought i'd have no friends in y13, but that wasn't the case. there are so many ways to make friends, even by just talking to people in lesson, and walking to/from lesson with them. this tip needs a little more confidence, but go up to other people that you see alone, and ask if you can sit/ stand with them. most of the time, they feel like you, and will respect you for trying to branch out, and not see you as sad or lonely. an easy way to open a conversation could be something like "hey can i sit with you," and if they respond yes, introduce yourself and ask what subject/s they take. if they say no, just say something like "oh okay thats totally fine, just know i'm here if you want someone to talk to, and get on with some work." try out some extracurriculars, or if you really don't feel up for this, you can always sit in the library and listen to music. i hope things go well for you and feel free to ask anything else :smile:

Reply 6

I’m in the same situation atm. I’m also in year 12 and want to make new friends. I was lonely in year 11 and hoped this will change in year 12, but the same thing just happened again. In year 11 i tell myself things will get better next year, but now in year 12 i tell myself things will get better in uni. I feel like i can never escape this cycle. I might have some friends at school, but I don’t think they value me as much as I value them. They have other friends as well so my existence probably doesn’t really matter to them.

Recently they’ve been going out a lot without me and I am completely disappointed. Whenever I see them hanging out online, I am completely disappointed. They only hang out with me when their friends are not there. They never invite me to hang out but at the same time they hang out a lot without me.

When I say them, I mean a group of around 4 ppl. I think im a bit closer with 2 of them but not the other 2. One of the 2 I’m a bit closer with is friends with another person and she invites her to hang out with the 4 of them but not me.

It’s extremely sad when they exclude me every time and I’ve been crying about it. I don’t hang out with ppl outside school bc I basically have no friends.

Sry for the long post…

Reply 7

Original post
by Anonymous
I’m in the same situation atm. I’m also in year 12 and want to make new friends. I was lonely in year 11 and hoped this will change in year 12, but the same thing just happened again. In year 11 i tell myself things will get better next year, but now in year 12 i tell myself things will get better in uni. I feel like i can never escape this cycle. I might have some friends at school, but I don’t think they value me as much as I value them. They have other friends as well so my existence probably doesn’t really matter to them.
Recently they’ve been going out a lot without me and I am completely disappointed. Whenever I see them hanging out online, I am completely disappointed. They only hang out with me when their friends are not there. They never invite me to hang out but at the same time they hang out a lot without me.
When I say them, I mean a group of around 4 ppl. I think im a bit closer with 2 of them but not the other 2. One of the 2 I’m a bit closer with is friends with another person and she invites her to hang out with the 4 of them but not me.
It’s extremely sad when they exclude me every time and I’ve been crying about it. I don’t hang out with ppl outside school bc I basically have no friends.
Sry for the long post…


I’m sorry to hear that. That was exactly how it was like for me too back in secondary. Not like it’s gotten any better at sixth form- my ‘friends’ hang out with each other and whenever I try to get together with them, something always comes up. I feel like the person you’d only go to when there’s no one else you know… I hope your situation gets better. Mine isn’t gonna get better anytime soon since I’m at home 24/7. It’s oddly comforting to know at least that I’m not the only one who experiences this.

Reply 8

just talk to people don’t be sad don’t be silly be happy peace n love xxx💞💓
Original post
by Anonymous
Really random i am in year 12 but i feel like it is really hard for me to make friends at college, i have seen most of my school friends have new friends. Even in college there are already many friend groups formed and it makes me feel very lonely as i was looking forward to making new friendships. I do initiate conversations but its hard for me to connect with people. Anyone with similar experience

Are there any clubs at college that you could join?
You would be able to meet people and make new friends there.
Original post
by Anonymous
Really random i am in year 12 but i feel like it is really hard for me to make friends at college, i have seen most of my school friends have new friends. Even in college there are already many friend groups formed and it makes me feel very lonely as i was looking forward to making new friendships. I do initiate conversations but its hard for me to connect with people. Anyone with similar experience


Hi,

A few things that may help are joining clubs, volunteering, or extracurriculars where you may share similar interests with others, as it’s often easier to connect in those settings. Also, friendships sometimes take time to develop, so don’t be too hard on yourself if it doesn’t happen straight away. Even one or two people you feel comfortable with can make a big difference.

Try starting conversations about class, then move on to other things you’re interested in. It’s okay if not every attempt clicks, sometimes it just takes meeting the right people. You could also try sitting with different people in breaks or lunch and being consistent in saying hi as small repeated interactions can gradually build friendships.

Wishing you all the best :smile:

Tayba
Student Rep

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