Student Loneliness
Everyone experiences loneliness differently, and the reasons behind it can vary from person to person. While it’s not unusual to feel isolated, prolonged loneliness can have a negative impact on your mental health.
Students might feel lonely for a wide range of reasons. It could be moving away from home to start college or university, and being away from family and familiar support networks. Having coursework, exams and deadlines can mean that you have limited time to spend with friends or make new connections.
Your college, university, or students’ association can be a great place to meet people and feel part of a community. Whether through events, societies, peer support groups, or spending time on campus, these spaces offer opportunities to build friendships and feel more connected.
There are some suggestions included below for ways to manage feelings of loneliness. You may find some of the suggestions useful, and it’s also okay if some of the suggestions don’t feel comfortable or relevant to you.
Resources
- Marmalade trust: guide to loneliness
- Campaign to end loneliness: resources
- Mind: Tips to manage loneliness
- NHS: Feeling lonely
- Mental Health Foundation: student guide to loneliness
- Think Positive Project podcast: Loneliness
- Carr Gomm: resources and support
- SAMH: Digital self care plan
- Finding your community at college or university
Further support
If you’re looking for someone to talk to or need a bit of support, there are a range of organisations who are ready to support you.
The Think Positive Hub also has a summary of the services available at every college and university in Scotland:
