Matthew Knight is a first-year nursing student in the 2nd Entry Program. He is interested in the fields of mental health, addiction and rural nursing.
Have you seen those social reels where people say they wish they had more friends in university, but then it cuts to them speed walking out of class the second it ends? Yeah, that's been me more times than I’d like to admit. Especially in the winter semester, when its freezing, grey and everyone's just trying to get through the day.
Still, a big part of the university experience is socializing. We’ve all seen TV shows where everyone has a solid friend group they’re always with on campus. While that does happen for some, for a lot of us, building those connections isn't so easy.
Personally, I often found myself treating class like a to-do list: showing up, getting through lectures and heading straight home. Over time, this turned into a routine; school wasn't a place to connect but just something I had to get done.
Let's talk about loneliness
Loneliness is more than just a feeling, it's a real challenge that can affect every aspect of your life, often in ways you may not even realize. Put simply, it’s the distress felt when there's a gap between the social connection we want and what we actually have.
Loneliness often goes hand in hand with poor sleep quality and a drop in positive emotions. Overtime, these factors can spread into other parts of our lives and take a serious toll.
On the flip side, having meaningful social connections can lead to better overall health. Supportive relationships can act as a source of encouragement when we are not feeling confident and help us feel more grounded and grateful.
Signs you might be feeling lonely
Loneliness can show up in more ways than we think:
- turning to unhealthy habits as a coping mechanism
- feeling more stressed than usual
- noticing increased symptoms of depression or anxiety
- getting sick more often due to a weakened immune system
Finding support
If you’ve been feeling disconnected or lonely, there are ways to find support, both on and off campus. Here are some tips and resources that might help.
Talk to someone. Counselling is a great way to connect with professionals who can help you understand why you have these feelings. Student Counselling, Health and Well-being offers free counselling sessions for all students.
Good2Talk is a 24/7 chat service that connects students in Ontario with trained individuals who can offer guidance and helpful resources.
Join a club or start your own. One of the easiest ways to meet people with similar interests is by getting involved in a club. Whether it's something academic, cultural or just for fun, clubs can help you feel more connected. Check out York’s student clubs, and if nothing feels like the right fit, don't be afraid to start your own!
Attend campus events. Although they might feel awkward at first, student events are designed to offer you a space to socialize and come together. For upcoming events, check out York’s Event Calendar.
Volunteer or work on campus. Getting involved is a great way to build professional connections and make some extra cash. Visit the Career Centre’s volunteering webpage and Work/Study webpage for more information.
Try exploring the city (and use your student discounts!) or attend cultural events. For example, Caribana is a local Caribbean festival held in the summer that anyone can attend!
For more ideas, check out this list of events occurring in Toronto.
As a student, it can be easy to fall into the routine of coming to campus, surviving lectures and heading straight home, especially when you’ve got assignments piling up and your brain is running on caffeine. But, nothing replaces the kind of friendships that take your mind of off the problems of everyday life. Building those connections take effort, but the sooner you put yourself out there (even just a little), the sooner you’ll feel the difference.