Lonely on Campus: The Hidden Reality of College Life

As you walk to class, hundreds of students are buzzing around campus. Laughter and friendly chatter come from all around.

Every day, you are surrounded by acquaintances, classmates, and friends. Yet, somehow, you still feel alone.

It feels like you’re the only one in the world feeling this loneliness. But what if I told you that all across the globe, students like you struggle in silence?

While college is typically seen as a period of exploration, self-discovery, building friendships, and having fun, that’s not entirely the case…Students everywhere are experiencing loneliness.

Over half of Indian college students report moderate to severe loneliness, with the same being true for American students.

This feeling of loneliness is becoming an all too common experience for today’s college students.

But, it isn’t just a social problem. It’s something that can negatively impact almost every aspect of a student’s life.

Despite what you might think, loneliness isn’t the same thing as being alone.

One student may spend time alone and feel content, while another student surrounds themselves with friends but still feels lonely.

Psychology defines loneliness as "perceived social isolation," not necessarily actual social isolation. While everyone experiences loneliness throughout their lives, it is especially common in adolescent and college-aged people.

We all remember quarantine during COVID-19, but young people were hit especially hard. COVID sparked a spike in loneliness and isolation in young people. And honestly, that spike never really recovered.

Chances are, you or someone you know is experiencing loneliness right now. It isn't a rare occurrence. It’s a real issue that affects students across different fields of study, campuses, and even countries.

The impacts of loneliness can be more harmful than you think. It can cost you your academic success, and (more importantly), your overall wellbeing.

Research has linked loneliness with tons of negative effects on both mental and physical health.

Long-term loneliness can have negative effects on your heart health, raise your blood pressure, and increase your risk for chronic diseases and even mortality.

Still think it’s no big deal?

The impacts on cognition are especially scary if you’re a college student. Loneliness is associated with increased stress, depression, and anxiety, and with a huge decrease in cognitive performance and focus.

If loneliness is at an all-time high, motivation and academic performance are at an all-time low. When students feel lonely, everyday social and academic activities can start to feel like impossible tasks.

If college is supposed to be the best years of our lives, why do we feel lonely?

Loneliness can be linked to many different factors. Gender, financial insecurity, anxiety, low self-esteem, trauma, poor sleep, academic pressure, and even language barriers can contribute to feelings of loneliness.

The transition from high school to college can be a tough one. Many students struggle to adjust to independent living, college workload, and a brand new social scene.

In this time of identity exploration, feeling like you don’t belong can be isolating. Students need a sense of belonging to combat loneliness and maintain their wellbeing.

Feeling like you aren’t connected to people, places, and groups = feeling like you don't belong. For some, sexuality and gender identity can create a barrier between the student and a sense of belonging.

LGBTQ+ students report experiencing loneliness even more often than their non-LGBTQ+ classmates. Personal differences aren’t the only thing leading us to feel isolated.

It's no secret that college students use social media a lot. But by using it too much, you’re risking a higher severity of loneliness.

At a point, social media can substitute meaningful in-person interactions, the same interactions protecting your mental health.

In the digital age, making real-life connections is that much more important.

It is important to remember that the experience of loneliness won’t last forever.

Building meaningful connections and support systems is a great way to combat loneliness.

Join clubs and organizations, attend study groups, and participate in campus events!

If you’re in the minority of your college’s student population, joining organizations that share your cultural experience is a great way to reduce loneliness.

If you just can’t shake the lonely feeling, it may be time to utilize those campus resources.

Lots of colleges offer counseling and mental wellness programs to help students navigate their mental health and build support systems.

Social support groups are especially effective, allowing students to discuss their feelings while establishing connections. Put effort into your wellbeing by creating space for genuine friendships to blossom.

All in all, loneliness is not just a negative feeling. It’s a real issue with real impacts that’s experienced by real college students every day.

Your mental health, academic performance, and overall wellbeing could be impacted.

With today’s focus on mental health, more and more colleges are pushing for student wellbeing.

Building a sense of community and belonging is just as important as academic success.

Let’s get serious about loneliness. Check in on your campus friends, and check in on yourself!

-Team Souloxy