Henry Roberts

JMC 305

Main Story

21 November 2022

The Cycle of Loneliness in College Students

College is a unique opportunity to be a part of a community and make lasting friendships.

With many students living in close proximity, an active social scene, and various opportunities to

make connections, many students do not anticipate having trouble meeting new people and

making friends. However, loneliness is a rampant and silent problem that affects many college

students, leading to poorer academic performance, decreased social interaction, and mental

health consequences for students.

Loneliness is a more common issue on college campuses than one may expect,

“According to a recent survey of 48,000 college students, 64% reported feeling extremely lonely

in the last year” (Psychology Today). According to this data, the majority of college students do

in fact experience loneliness. However, students experiencing loneliness often do not realize how

many share their struggle. Loneliness is a silent problem, and when lonely students are isolated

they are unable to connect with each other. While it may seem everyone else is having the time

of their lives in college, many students are unfulfilled and experiencing mental health struggles.

These mental health struggles lead to many more concerns. Firstly, mental health issues

lead to decreased academic performance. Students experiencing depression, anxiety, and

loneliness may find it more difficult to find the motivation to complete their schoolwork and

attend class. When depressed and unmotivated students isolate themselves by not attending class

and other events and activities, the problem worsens, “Social isolation in youth is a high-risk
factor for psychological illnesses as well as suicidal ideation” (End Social Isolation). In more

severe cases, these mental health issues lead to more severe consequences. Depression and

anxiety can lead to more severe mental health disorders, physical health problems, and suicide.

In order to find solutions to these problems, the cycle of loneliness must be addressed.

Many universities provide resources to help students struggling with mental health issues.

For example, Arizona State University provides many different mental health resources,

including 24/7 free counseling services, support circles, professional training programs and

more. ASU prioritizes the importance of addressing mental health concerns on their counseling

website, “We respect how your mental health needs, lived experiences and academic goals

combine to form a path that is uniquely yours” (ASU Counseling). Resources like these can

make the college experience much easier and give students access to the support they need for

mental health problems. It is important to make these sources accessible and readily available to

students who may need them.

Furthermore, Universities often host events and gatherings designed to help students meet

each other and make connections. ASU offers a wide variety of clubs and student organizations,

and these can be a great way to meet people and make friends. A club at ASU that specifically

supports mental health is the Active Minds Club which is, “a student organization that aims to

reduce the stigma that surrounds mental health issues and promote awareness of mental health”

(Active Minds). Clubs such as this one provide a positive environment to connect with other

students and maintain mental wellbeing. While it may seem like a simple solution, joining clubs

such as this one can make a great impact on a student’s school year and wellbeing.

It is also important to consider that different colleges suit different types of students, and

if a student is not enjoying their college experience, they may consider transferring schools.
Transferring colleges can present a fresh start for a student and present the opportunity to meet

an entirely new set of people and make new friends. Furthermore, transferring to a location a

student is excited about can increase their motivation to immerse themselves in their college

experience. Every college has a different culture, social scene, and set of students, and it is

important for each individual student to find the school that best suits their needs.Transferring

schools does present some challenges, as it may lead to increased tuition costs and difficulty

receiving financial aid, but the opportunity to receive an education in a new location surrounded

by new people can certainly be worth it.

Additionally, it is important to remember that college is not for everyone. While

attending college can be a great opportunity to receive an education, make lasting connections,

and find a lasting career, ultimately it is not always the best option for young adults. The

financial strain of college can be a large burden, and this can contribute to stress and mental

health issues. Furthermore, if a student is not enjoying their time in college and does not find the

value for their commitment of time and money, it may be better to drop out and pursue other

options. There are a multitude of options available besides college that can lead to friendships,

opportunities, and a lasting career.

Ultimately, students feeling lonely in college are not alone. Loneliness is a serious issue

that must be addressed, and many schools offer many different options and resources to do so.

While education and career ambitions are important, one’s mental health should be a top priority

on their way to living a happy and fulfilled life.

 Works Cited

Active Minds:

https://www.facebook.com/activemindsatasu

@activemindsatasu on Facebook

ASU Counseling:

https://eoss.asu.edu/counseling

End Social Isolation:

https://www.endsocialisolation.org/cesil-blog/the-social-isolation-and-loneliness-epidemic-a-coll

ege-students-perspective#:~:text=Social%20isolation%20in%20youth%20is,extended%20period

s%20of%20social%20isolation.

Psychology Today:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/campus-crunch/202002/why-are-college-students-feel

ing-so-lonely